Dubai’s Cultural Legends Reveal Secrets of the City’s Soul 2025

Dubai, a city known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and modern lifestyle, is also a growing center of art, culture, and creative expression. Behind the glamorous façade is a community of cultural icons artists, poets, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and historians who are shaping the spirit of the city.

In this special feature, Voices of Dubai, we speak to some of the leading cultural voices who are preserving heritage while pushing boundaries. These interviews give us a closer look at how culture in Dubai is evolving in 2025, from traditional Emirati roots to global contemporary influence.

Fatma Al Marri – Preserving Emirati Traditions Through Storytelling

Fatma Al Marri is an Emirati writer and oral historian who focuses on preserving the stories of old Dubai. With a background in cultural anthropology, Fatma has spent the last decade collecting personal histories from elders in Deira and Al Bastakiya.

“Dubai has grown fast, but our roots are deep,” says Fatma. “When people think of the city, they see the future. But I want them to remember our past.”

Fatma recently launched a podcast series called Pearl Sands, where she narrates stories passed down from her grandmother. The series is gaining popularity among younger audiences who are eager to connect with their heritage.

Khaled El Sayed – The Beat of a New Generation

A rising star in Dubai’s independent music scene, Lebanese-born DJ and producer Khaled El Sayed has become the voice of youth expression. Known for blending traditional Arabic instruments with electronic beats, Khaled’s music speaks to a multicultural generation.

“Dubai is a mix of everything,” says Khaled. “In one night, you’ll hear African drums, Bollywood beats, and Arabic oud all under one roof. I try to capture that energy in my music.”

He’s currently collaborating with international artists from Nigeria, the Philippines, and Syria. His recent track Desert Pulse has gone viral on music platforms and earned him a spot in this year’s Dubai Sound Festival.

Reem Al Ghaith – Architecture, Memory, and Identity

As one of Dubai’s most respected visual artists, Reem Al Ghaith uses urban spaces and mixed media to explore how the city changes and what gets left behind. Her art installations often feature photographs of demolished neighborhoods and old houses replaced by new towers.

Reem’s latest installation Vanishing Walls was displayed at the Alserkal Avenue art space, where it received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and powerful message.

Omar Sharaf – Fashioning Dubai’s Future

Egyptian designer Omar Sharaf is a bold name in Dubai’s fashion industry. Known for his sustainable clothing brand Sand & Soul, Omar blends desert textures with urban street style. His designs have been worn by influencers, celebrities, and even royalty.

“Fashion is another form of storytelling,” Omar explains. “I tell the story of the desert, the city, and the people who live in both worlds.”

Omar’s 2025 collection uses recycled materials sourced from across the UAE and includes digital fashion elements for the metaverse—a sign of how tradition and technology are merging in Dubai’s creative scene.

Leila Nasser – Cinema Through the Lens of Culture

Leila Nasser, a Palestinian filmmaker raised in the UAE, is redefining what cinema means in the Gulf. Her short film Echoes of the Creek was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and tells the story of a young girl navigating identity in modern Dubai.

“The city is full of untold stories,” says Leila. “We are more than just skyscrapers. We are people with dreams, conflicts, love, and history.”

Leila is currently working on a full-length feature film inspired by the migration stories of early Indian and Iranian traders in Dubai. With backing from the Dubai Film Foundation, her work is helping the region’s cinema gain international recognition.

Hamdan Al Suwaidi – Poetry as Cultural Diplomacy

Poetry remains a central part of Emirati culture, and Hamdan Al Suwaidi is one of its most respected voices. A published poet and scholar, Hamdan often writes in both Arabic and English, using verse to bridge cultures.

“Poetry is our soul language,” says Hamdan. “Even with all the change around us, our connection to words remains strong.”

His latest poetry collection Mirrors of the Gulf explores themes of identity, displacement, and love for the homeland. He also mentors young poets through workshops and has represented the UAE at literary festivals abroad.

Why These Voices Matter in 2025

Dubai’s cultural icons are doing more than creating art they are creating meaning. At a time when the city is transforming faster than ever, these individuals are ensuring that its soul is not lost in the rush.

From traditional poetry to digital fashion, from oral storytelling to global cinema, Dubai’s cultural voices are as diverse as its people. Each one of them contributes to a growing sense of identity one that honors the past while embracing the future.

Their work challenges the world to see Dubai not just as a business capital or luxury hub, but as a place where culture thrives, stories live, and creative voices shape the city’s heartbeat.

Final Thoughts

Dubai is home to a rising generation of cultural leaders who are redefining what it means to be creative in a global city. These icons from poets to DJs, fashion designers to filmmakers are not only expressing themselves, but also inspiring others to do the same.

As the city continues to evolve, their voices will remain vital in telling Dubai’s real story a story of roots and reinvention, heritage and innovation.

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