The Culture

The Dubai Press Club, in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, convened an interactive session at the Etihad Museum focusing on the role of digital content creators in preserving national identity and heritage.

The event, titled "Cultural Content Creators: Preserving Identity and Creating Impact," marks the second week of the cultural track within the third phase of the broader Dubai Content Creators Programme, which runs through June 19, 2026. The initiative is designed to provide emerging media professionals and creators with practical training in digital storytelling, creative production, and specialized industry knowledge.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, framed the initiative as a strategic investment in both local media infrastructure and cultural preservation. According to Al Marri, empowering a new generation with advanced storytelling tools is intended to strengthen community awareness and position Dubai as a regional center for the creative industries.

During the panel, Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, emphasized that effective cultural preservation via digital media relies heavily on narrative-driven, human-centric storytelling. Badri noted that while rapid technological advancements and artificial intelligence present unprecedented distribution opportunities for Emirati culture, they also place a distinct responsibility on creators to maintain historical and cultural accuracy for future generations.

The session also addressed the operational realities of the creative sector, exploring how local heritage can be systematically translated into viable digital content. Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, stated that the program's primary objective is to bridge the gap between institutional cultural knowledge and contemporary digital platforms by giving participants direct access to industry leadership.

The current phase of the program concludes today following a series of technical workshops focused on expanding the reach and quality of local digital media.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and INDU Group have broken ground on a new 300,000-square-foot automotive logistics facility within the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The development aims to address rising regional demand for resilient automotive supply chains and to accelerate spare parts distribution across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Africa.

The specialized facility, developed by INDU Logistics, will integrate high-density bin storage, pallet racking, and dedicated areas for oversized components. Operating as a dedicated hub within Hellmann’s Middle East network, the infrastructure is designed to accommodate high-volume trade flows between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

According to Lee I’Ons, Regional CEO IMEA for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, the investment systematically expands the company's regional capabilities in the United Arab Emirates, which remains a strategically important market for its global network.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global Chief Operating Officer of Parks and Economic Zones at DP World, noted that the expansion reflects rapid growth in the Middle Eastern automotive sector, where market demands increasingly require faster, more reliable access to critical inventory. Jafza continues to leverage its proximity to Jebel Ali Port and multimodal connectivity to anchor high-value supply chains in the region.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Dubai Basketball clinched the 2025/26 ABA League title on Monday, defeating Partizan 83–81 in Game 4 of the finals. The victory marks the first time a team representing the United Arab Emirates has won a major international basketball league championship.

In only its second year of existence, the club finished the regular season at the top of the league standings. The team concluded its campaign with a cumulative record of 29 wins and four losses across 33 games. Throughout the season, the squad remained undefeated on its home court in Dubai.

The championship series concluded in Belgrade, where Dubai Basketball secured the title after holding a 2-1 series lead. Forward Mfiondu Kabengele was named the ABA League Finals Most Valuable Player, maintaining an average of 15.75 points per game throughout the four-game series.

Abdulla Saeed Juma Al Naboodah, the club's founder and chairman, stated that the organization intended to establish a competitive presence on the international stage. Head coach Aleksander Sekulić cited the team’s consistency and internal cohesion as the primary factors in their success, noting that the group maintained focus despite a schedule that required extensive travel away from their home base.

This title marks the conclusion of an eight-month season in which the team competed in two separate leagues.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.

Art Dubai concluded its 20th-anniversary special edition on May 17, drawing more than 25,000 visitors to the Madinat Jumeirah. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the four-day event focused on the institutions, galleries, and artists that have defined the region’s creative sector over the past two decades.

The 2026 edition featured a revised, more concentrated format with approximately 75 presentations, including over 45 commercial galleries. Despite the smaller scale compared to previous years, organizers reported high levels of engagement and steady sales. The fair’s programming emphasized regional perspectives, with roughly 60 percent of participating galleries hailing from the UAE and the wider Middle East.

This year marked a significant shift in the fair’s accessibility, as organizers offered free admission to the public for the first time in the event's history. Strategic partnerships with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and A.R.M. Holding supported the fair's efforts to foster community engagement during a period of regional instability.

Exhibitors and collectors noted a focus on regional collaboration. Presentations spanned contemporary, modern, and digital art, accompanied by the 20th edition of the Global Art Forum, which explored themes of cultural transition. Institutional presence remained international, with participants from over 20 countries, including contributions from the MoMA in New York and the Busan Museum of Art.

Organizers have announced that the 2027 edition of Art Dubai is scheduled to return to Madinat Jumeirah from April 7-11, 2027.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.

The inaugural Apex Games, a hybrid fitness competition combining running and functional fitness challenges, will take place on June 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organizers have confirmed that registration for the event is at capacity, with more than 1,200 participants registered across individual, doubles, and team categories.

The event is being developed by CAP Sports and DXB LIVE. To support the technical requirements of the competition, organizers have established a partnership with Technogym, which will serve as the Official Technical and Performance Partner. Under this agreement, the company will provide the equipment necessary for the fitness stations integrated into the race format.

The Apex Games format involves four running stages interspersed with functional fitness challenges designed to assess endurance, strength, and speed. Following the June launch, organizers intend to expand the competition, with plans currently in development to hold four additional events across the region for the second season.

Nick Cartwright, CEO of CAP Sports, stated that the initiative is intended to establish a sporting brand rooted in the UAE. Representatives from DXB LIVE noted that the event aligns with broader efforts to promote active lifestyles and expand the region's sports event calendar.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.

Dubai Taxi Company has secured 600 additional taxi plates through a recent auction held by the Roads and Transport Authority, extending its lead as the largest taxi operator in Dubai and raising its market share to 47 percent.

The acquisition will expand the company’s fleet from 6,217 to 6,817 vehicles. The rollout of the new taxis is scheduled to begin in July 2026 and will proceed in phases, a plan the company says is intended to preserve operational efficiency and maintain service standards while responding to rising demand for transport services.

According to Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, the expansion reflects continued growth in Dubai’s mobility sector and the company’s strategy to scale its operations in line with the city’s urban development. He said the phased deployment is designed to optimize asset use, strengthen financial performance, and sustain service quality.

The move aligns with broader government efforts to build an integrated and technology-driven transport system, while supporting the objectives of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to reinforce the city’s global standing in infrastructure and urban services.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Andrew Shelepnytsky

Andrew Shelepnytsky is an Editor of Dubai Voice.

The traditional arrival at Dubai’s luxury coast has long been a matter of valet stands and marble lobbies. However, a new partnership between maritime operator D-Marin and MEREX Investment is shifting the point of entry offshore. With the launch of an exclusive anchorage zone at J1 Beach, the city is formally integrating its maritime infrastructure with its high-end culinary scene, allowing yacht owners to transition from deck to dining room via the sea.

The service provides a logistical bridge between the water and the shore. Once anchored in the designated zone, guests are ferried by a dedicated D-Marin tender to a private jetty. This sea-gate provides immediate access to a collection of 13 world-class restaurants and beach clubs, effectively turning the offshore area into a functional extension of the beach.

A Global Shoreline

The J1 Beach district has been curated as a high-density hub of international lifestyle brands. The destination draws heavily from the aesthetic of the French Riviera, Tulum, and New York, offering a licensed environment that caters to a globalized palate. Key establishments defining the space include Gigi Rigolatto, an Italian-inspired enclave bringing Mediterranean elegance to the Gulf; Sirene by Gaia, a Greek-led concept focused on high-concept coastal dining; and Bâoli, a renowned brand that bridges the gap between sophisticated gastronomy and evening social scenes.

Located just a short distance from the 160-berth D-Marin Port De La Mer, this new anchorage service reinforces the "marina-as-a-lifestyle" model. For the superyacht clientele, it offers a refined, day-to-night transition that avoids the friction of urban traffic.

The Superyacht Hub Ambition

This expansion brings D-Marin’s portfolio to five marinas within the emirate, signaling a deeper integration of maritime services into Dubai’s broader tourism and entertainment strategy. By establishing world-class anchorage destinations alongside traditional berthing, Dubai is solidifying its position as a global superyacht hub.

In the 2026 landscape, the Contributor to Dubai’s coastal economy is the realization that the most prestigious way to experience the city is no longer by road, but by the wake of a tender.

Photo credit: D-Marin

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai organised desert cycling races for women and men on 31 January and 1 February as part of the Al Salam Cycling Championship.

The races were held at Al Marmoom Reserve in the Saih Al Salam area and formed part of the championship’s tenth season, held under the theme “Ten Years of Achievements and Success.” The Higher Organising Committee designed a technically demanding course requiring competitors to race on mountain bikes while wearing protective gear and carrying essential equipment, reflecting the challenges of desert terrain.

The combined prize pool for the two races totalled AED455,000, which organisers described as the largest prize offering for desert cycling races worldwide.

The women’s desert race covered a distance of 20 kilometres and included two categories: Emirati women and an open category for all nationalities. The men’s race followed the next day over 52 kilometres and featured two special challenges with dedicated cash prizes.

Omair bin Juma Al Falasi, Director General of the Private Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said the championship continues to prioritise inclusivity by offering competitions that engage a broad range of participants while aligning with developments in the sport. He noted that desert cycling presents distinct physical and technical demands compared to road racing.

The desert races marked the fourth and fifth events of the championship’s tenth season. Earlier events included the “Security and Safety” race for Emirati cyclists organised in cooperation with Dubai Police, the Ruler of Dubai Court Race held for the second consecutive year, and a women’s race at Al Marmoom Reserve featuring international competitors.

The championship also includes a photography contest organised in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, with winners to be announced at the conclusion of the season.

The Al Salam Cycling Championship is organised in cooperation with several strategic partners, including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Sports Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office, the UAE Cycling Federation, Dubai Sports Channel, and Dubai Film.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

DMCC, in partnership with Dubai real estate developer Sweid & Sweid, has announced the launch of BAY360, a new mixed-use lifestyle destination in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT).

Planned as a neighbourhood and community hub, BAY360 will introduce a range of essential retail, dining, wellness and recreational amenities intended to support everyday life in the district. The project forms part of DMCC’s broader programme to upgrade shared spaces across JLT, with a focus on improving accessibility, connectivity and overall liveability.

The development will be built on a portion of Lake D, with most of the lake retained as a central feature. The design prioritises integration with the surrounding waterfront, enhancing pedestrian movement and activating public areas while maintaining the open, lakeside character of the site.

BAY360 will be anchored by a 22,000-square-foot Spinneys supermarket. Additional components include cafés and restaurants, some with lake-facing outdoor terraces, as well as medical facilities, lifestyle retail, rooftop padel courts and family-oriented outdoor spaces. The project will also include an underground car park with approximately 300 spaces.

Beyond the site itself, DMCC and Sweid & Sweid will implement improvements around Lake D to enhance connectivity across JLT. These include a redesigned pedestrian route linking the metro station to the opposite side of the lake and improved access to JLT Park. Planned upgrades to the lake edges will add greenery, seating and walkways.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said the project reflects DMCC’s long-term strategy to strengthen the quality and functionality of JLT’s public realm. Maher Sweid, Managing Partner of Sweid & Sweid, said BAY360 represents the company’s third project in the district and builds on its ongoing investment in JLT, with completion targeted for the end of 2027.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.