Al Burda Exhibition Opens on the Aga Khan Museum in Canada

H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Tradition, within the presence of H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, International Minister’s Envoy to Canada and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, inaugurated the ‘Because the Solar Seems from Past’ exhibition on the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The exhibition commemorates the 20^th anniversary of Al Burda Award and highlights the cultural partnership between the UAE Ministry of Tradition and the Museum.

Open to the general public till 15 February 2026, the exhibition options over 60 modern works by Al Burda Award recipients, together with two particular works from Al Badr Award, offered in visible dialogue with uncommon historic and archaeological artifacts from the Aga Khan Museum’s assortment. It explores the evolution of Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, summary portray, and the artwork of the phrase, highlighting an inventive journey that blends deep-rooted custom with modern expression.

Curated by Fatima Al Mahmoud, Sarah bin Safwan, and Sheikha Al Zaabi – three graduates of Al Burda Grantprogram – the exhibition embodies an inventive imaginative and prescient that displays the spirit of the award and its future aspirations. It additionally serves as a testomony to cultural trade and artistic empowerment throughout borders.

Alongside the exhibition, a wealthy cultural program is happening, providing a wide range of talks, lectures, and hands-on workshops targeted on Arabic calligraphy, Islamic ornamentation, and poetry. This system additionally options dynamic inventive performances and multidisciplinary actions that invite guests to have interaction with Islamic artwork in an immersive and participatory method—extending the expertise past the gallery area and highlighting the depth and vitality of latest expression.

At the side of the exhibition, a commemorative guide was produced to have fun the 20-year legacy of Al Burda Award. That includes contributions from famend consultants in Islamic artwork, the quantity explores the Award’s cultural significance and its function in advancing modern interpretations of Islamic aesthetics. Positioned as each a scholarly and artistic useful resource, the publication enhances the exhibition’s affect and reinforces the UAE’s mission to protect, promote, and recontextualize Islamic inventive traditions for world audiences.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi emphasised the importance of this event as a key milestone in journey of Al Burda Award. H.E. acknowledged: “This exhibition represents a strategic effort to deepen cultural collaboration between the UAE and Canada and displays our dedication to presenting Islamic arts by way of a recent lens that resonates with shared human values and fosters intercultural dialogue. Now in its 20^th yr, Al Burda Award continues to function a worldwide Emirati platform for redefining the presence of Islamic artwork on the world stage.”

His Excellency added: “We’re proud to accomplice with the Aga Khan Museum for this landmark exhibition. It displays our dedication to cultural openness and our perception within the energy of artwork to construct bridges between civilisations. We stay up for cultivating extra partnerships with worldwide establishments that empower creatives and contribute to a extra inclusive world cultural panorama.”

Established in 2004, Al Burda Award has recognised greater than 390 gifted people specialising in Islamic arts, together with poets, calligraphers, and visible artists from around the globe. It stays a number one UAE platform that celebrates the richness of Islamic artwork and the great thing about Arabic language. The award additionally highlights the UAE’s function in selling creativity and intercultural dialogue globally, preserving the inventive heritage of Islamic civilisation, and presenting excellent works to a worldwide viewers.