Latest news with #YearofCulture
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Council hails 'amazing' CultureDale festival
An "amazing" year of celebrations marking a borough's 50th anniversary has come to an end after hundreds of events. Calderdale's culture festival, named CultureDale, included 135 projects and 550 events celebrating the region. Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for public services and communities, said the borough remained "the place to be" for culture, art and music despite the end of festivities. "The Year of Culture has wowed a diverse range of people from across the borough, country and even the world," she said. "It has showcased the talent, creativity and distinctiveness that make Calderdale special, it has strengthened relationships with communities, artists, performers and creative professionals, and has paved the way for culture to play an even bigger part in Calderdale's future." CultureDale launched in April 2024. According to the council, it was supported by 82 volunteers who spent more than 1,000 hours working on events. Events included the Anne Lister Memorial Weekend, Happy Valley Pride festival, and The Starlight Parade, which saw light-up puppets and performances in Halifax in the run-up to Christmas. The region also hosted Little Amal – a 12ft (3.6m) puppet of a 10-year old refugee girl - and an exhibition showcasing the "wet shirt" worn by Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. The programme concluded with a grand finale showcasing a series of light installations, called The Beacons. During the event a UFO-like sphere shone over Todmorden, while a "searchlight spectacular" lit up the Old Flour Mill in Brighouse. The programme was funded by Calderdale Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The council said it was evaluating the impact of CultureDale and full data would be available in the coming months. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. 'UFO' and light shows close culture festival Calderdale Council
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Calderdale Council hails 'amazing' CultureDale festival
An "amazing" year of celebrations marking a borough's 50th anniversary has come to an end after hundreds of culture festival, named CultureDale, included 135 projects and 550 events celebrating the Durrans, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for public services and communities, said the borough remained "the place to be" for culture, art and music despite the end of festivities."The Year of Culture has wowed a diverse range of people from across the borough, country and even the world," she said. "It has showcased the talent, creativity and distinctiveness that make Calderdale special, it has strengthened relationships with communities, artists, performers and creative professionals, and has paved the way for culture to play an even bigger part in Calderdale's future." CultureDale launched in April to the council, it was supported by 82 volunteers who spent more than 1,000 hours working on included the Anne Lister Memorial Weekend, Happy Valley Pride festival, and The Starlight Parade, which saw light-up puppets and performances in Halifax in the run-up to region also hosted Little Amal – a 12ft (3.6m) puppet of a 10-year old refugee girl - and an exhibition showcasing the "wet shirt" worn by Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride and programme concluded with a grand finale showcasing a series of light installations, called The the event a UFO-like sphere shone over Todmorden, while a "searchlight spectacular" lit up the Old Flour Mill in programme was funded by Calderdale Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity council said it was evaluating the impact of CultureDale and full data would be available in the coming months. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'UFO' and light shows bring CultureDale festival to a close
A year-long festival celebrating 50 years of the Calderdale borough will come to an end this weekend, with the grand finale showcasing a series of light Beacons event will see a UFO-like sphere shine in Todmorden, while a "searchlight spectacular" will light up the Old Flour Mill in Brighouse and a "halo of light" will be visible over has seen 50 events in the CultureDale programme, marking every year since the metropolitan borough was formed in Durrans of Calderdale Council said: "We knew we wanted something huge and memorable to give Calderdale the 50th birthday party it deserves, and the Year of Culture has certainly done that." The light shows are the culmination of more than 350 events to have taken place during CultureDale. The UFO-inspired piece, located at the Canal Basin off Burnley Road in Todmorden, is by local artist Aimee Grundell, who said people would "witness a fusion of mystery, light and sound".The backdrop for the bright beams of Brighouse will be the ROKT Activity Centre in the Old Flour said the beams would be visible for miles and would "dance and play" throughout the sky on Saturday and Sunday from 20:00 until 22:00 sight would be a "celebration of Brighouse and its enduring spirit", the council said. Meanwhile in Halifax, the sky across Beacon Hill will see a "halo of light" weaving patterns across the have called it a celebration of Halifax - its landscape, heritage and Wainhouse Tower will also be lit up in cabinet member for public services and communities, said: "CultureDale has showcased the borough's creativity, talent, distinctiveness and diversity, and will be part of its story for generations to come." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hi Dubai
11-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
CBUAE Issues Commemorative Silver Coin to Honor Poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais' Centenary
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), in partnership with the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, has issued a silver commemorative coin to mark the 100th anniversary of Emirati poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais (1925-2025). This initiative aligns with UNESCO's recognition of 2025 as the Year of Culture in his honor. Al Owais, a literary icon in the UAE and the Gulf, is renowned for his poetry and his namesake cultural award, which has recognized Arab literary excellence since 1987. The commemorative coin pays tribute to his legacy, featuring one of his poetic verses: 'My homeland is my blood, flowing between my wings, as if it and soul are the same.' The reverse side bears his portrait, along with inscriptions in Arabic and English marking the centenary. Each silver coin weighs 60 grams, has a face value of AED 100, and is limited to 1,000 pieces. The coins will be handed over to the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation and will be available for purchase exclusively at its headquarters. Saif Humaid Aldhaheri, Assistant Governor of CBUAE, emphasized the significance of honoring cultural pioneers who have enriched the UAE's literary heritage. Abdul Hamid Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Foundation, expressed gratitude to CBUAE, highlighting the coin as a lasting tribute to Al Owais' intellectual and artistic contributions. This commemorative issuance stands as a symbol of the UAE's commitment to preserving its cultural and literary heritage while celebrating one of its most influential poets. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Times of Oman
19-02-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Qatar commits $10 billion investment in India, target set for doubling bilateral trade by 2030
New Delhi: Following the visit of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, India and Qatar have taken a significant step forward in their bilateral relations. These relations are marked by a series of key agreements and initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, investment, energy, and cultural ties between the two nations. Qatar has committed to investing $10 billion in India, with a focus on sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing. Both countries have also set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade by 2030, with the exploration of a potential Free Trade Agreement. Alongside economic collaboration, the two nations have agreed to expand their energy partnership and operationalize India's UPI system in Qatar. Additionally, various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed to enhance cooperation in finance, sports, youth, and cultural exchanges, including a celebration of the Year of Culture, Friendship, and Sports. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Qatar signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the elevation of the India-Qatar bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Qatar side is exploring opportunities to increase investments in India in infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, hospitality, and areas of mutual interest. In this regard, Qatar committed to invest $10 billion in India. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will open an office in India. Both sides have set the target to double bilateral trade by 2030 and have agreed to explore an India-Qatar Free Trade Agreement. There will also be operationalisation of India's UPI at the Qatar National Bank (QNB) Point of Sales in Qatar and expansion of Qatar National Bank presence in India by setting up an office in the GIFT City. Both the nations will deepen India-Qatar energy partnership, including through trade and mutual investments. There will be extension of Indian e-Visa facility for Qatari nationals. Both nations have also agreed to celebrate Year of Culture, Friendship and Sports in the near future. India and Qatar have signed an agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership as well as a Revised Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. The other MoUs include the MoU on Financial and Economic Cooperation between Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Ministry of Finance, Government of the State of Qatar; MoU for Cooperation in the field of Youth and Sports between Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Ministry of Sports & Youth, Government of the State of Qatar; MoU for Cooperation in the field of Documents and Archives between National Archives of India, Government of India and National Archives of Qatar, Government of the State of Qatar; MoU for Cooperation between Invest India and Invest Qatar; and MoU between Confederation of Indian Industry and Qatari Businessmen Association.
