Media Invite – Sikka 2025
ABOUT SIKKA 2025
Sikka is an initiative launched by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority in 2011, aimed at giving emerging creative talent a platform to showcase their work for a duration of 10 days. The festival is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, It is a flagship event under the umbrella of Dubai Art Season. The festival will feature a series of unique creative events, activities, and will showcase artworks of Emirati talents and artists residing in the UAE and GCC.
SIKKA ART AND DESIGN FESTIVAL 2025 – 13th EDITION
The Sikka Art and Design Festival, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, is one of the key components of Dubai’s creative scene and falls under the umbrella of the Dubai Art Season. The festival aims to provide an innovative platform that brings together various art forms while celebrating Emirati and UAE & GCC-based emerging talent, artists and designers. Through this festival, Dubai Culture seeks to strengthen Dubai’s cultural and creative industries and create a sustainable, supportive ecosystem that enriches the local art scene. This reflects Dubai’s cultural vision of being a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The 13th edition of the Sikka will take place from January 31 to February 9, 2025 in Al Shindagha Historic District under the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy. The festival offers the public a diverse array of artworks created by Emirati and UAE & GCC-based artists. It also features various workshops and discussions across the cultural and creative industries, public art installations, live performances, homegrown F&B concepts and other activities, all set in an inspiring atmosphere that showcases Dubai’s creative capabilities.
SIKKA 25 HIGHLIGHTS
- 300+ Talks & Workshops
- 100+ Live performances
- 13 Theatre Performances
- 50+ Homegrown F&B concepts
- 30+ Public Art installations
- 19 Themed Houses
- 14 Activated courtyards
- 13 Murals
- 9 Supper Clubs / 9 Chefs
- 2 Outdoor Stages
- 6 Orchestra Performances
- 3 Houses, 2 Courtyards and 1 bespoke structure for Talent Development
- 1 Dedicated space for the people of determination
- 3 International Participations
NOT TO MISS:
- The largest Public Arts and Urban art showcase in the history of Sikka
- Water activations: Daily Sail Exhibition featuring 6 Emirati and UAE Based artists
- More than 40 public art and installations inside the houses, outside and in the Creek
- Creatives on Wheels “Mubdi’oon ‘ala ‘ajal” is a vibrant theatrical journey led by a Hakawati (storyteller), interwoven with Khayal Al-Zhil (shadow play) and the soulful melodies of a Oud player (Daily Performances)
- Merin (Public Art Structure hosting 10 days of programming on Architecture)
- Karim Jabbari Light Photography: Saturday 1 February 2025
- World Stage Design House featuring daily specialized theatre workshops and performances
- 3 Houses, 1 showcase structure and 3 courtyards for talent development
- House Of Saffron: For the first time, the Culinary House is curated based on one ingredient “Saffron” hosting a series of supper clubs from 31 January – 8 February
- Over 50 Food Vendors to experience!
