Dubai Culture Launches 1st Edition of 'Talent Atelier' Program for Emirati Designers

The program aligns with Dubai Culture's efforts to strengthen the cultural and creative industries. WAM
The program aligns with Dubai Culture's efforts to strengthen the cultural and creative industries. WAM
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Dubai Culture Launches 1st Edition of 'Talent Atelier' Program for Emirati Designers

The program aligns with Dubai Culture's efforts to strengthen the cultural and creative industries. WAM
The program aligns with Dubai Culture's efforts to strengthen the cultural and creative industries. WAM

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the launch of the 1st edition of 'Talent Atelier' program, organized in collaboration with L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The program aligns with Dubai Culture's efforts to strengthen the cultural and creative industries, reinforcing the emirate's position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. It aims to expand the horizons of creatives and talented individuals, refining their expertise in jewelry making and enriching their knowledge in this field.

The program, which will be held from 2nd September to 30th November 2024, focuses on three main pillars: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoir-faire of jewelry-making techniques. Dubai Culture aims to develop the skills of 12 Emirati designers who will participate in a series of jewelry arts courses and workshops at the L’ÉCOLE Middle East campus in Dubai Design District.

The top six designers will be awarded the opportunity to visit Paris for five days in November to participate in an educational program organized at L’ÉCOLE France & Europe’s new campus, Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau on the Grands Boulevards. These designers will be selected based on creativity, material exploration, and application of learning.

Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed that Dubai has succeeded in establishing itself as a leading destination for design, attracting distinguished emerging talents in this field. “The Talent Atelier program embodies the Authority's cultural commitments and responsibilities aimed at supporting and empowering Emirati designers and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to unleash their talents and contribute to enriching the creative scene in the emirate," he said.

"This initiative is about building bridges between cultures, dialogues between different arts disciplines, fostering creativity, and supporting the next generation of Emirati Talents,” said Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts.



‘Roaring Lion’ Churchill Portrait Retrieved from Italy after Canada Theft

 Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Isabelle Mondou unveils Yousuf Karsh's "Roaring Lion" portrait of Churchill, stolen in 2022 from Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier and recovered in Italy, during a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy, September 19, 2024. (Reuters)
Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Isabelle Mondou unveils Yousuf Karsh's "Roaring Lion" portrait of Churchill, stolen in 2022 from Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier and recovered in Italy, during a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy, September 19, 2024. (Reuters)
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‘Roaring Lion’ Churchill Portrait Retrieved from Italy after Canada Theft

 Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Isabelle Mondou unveils Yousuf Karsh's "Roaring Lion" portrait of Churchill, stolen in 2022 from Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier and recovered in Italy, during a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy, September 19, 2024. (Reuters)
Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister Isabelle Mondou unveils Yousuf Karsh's "Roaring Lion" portrait of Churchill, stolen in 2022 from Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier and recovered in Italy, during a ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy, September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Italy handed back to Canada on Thursday a famous photographic portrait of Winston Churchill that was stolen from an Ottawa hotel more than two years ago and sold at auction to an unsuspecting Italian lawyer.

The so-called "Roaring Lion" photograph was shot by Yousuf Karsh in 1941 just after Britain's World War Two leader had given a speech to the Canadian parliament.

With his hand on his hip, Churchill is seen scowling severely at the lens -- an expression that Karsh put down to the fact that he had just plucked a cigar from the prime minister's hand before releasing the shutter.

The picture hanged for years in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, where the Armenian-Canadian photographer used to have a studio, but staff realized in August 2022 that their original image had been replaced with a signed copy.

A subsequent investigation found that their version had gone missing during the 2021 Christmas holidays and had been sold by an auction house in London in May 2022 to lawyer Nicola Cassinelli, who agreed to return it when he found out the truth.

"I think that if Mr. Karsh donated it to the hotel, it means that he really wanted it to stay there," Cassinelli said during a ceremony in the Canadian embassy to return the work.

He said he had paid 5,200 pounds ($6,895) excluding commission at the auction and had received only a partial refund. "I didn't get all the money back, but I did get a very funny story to tell," said Cassinelli.

The hotel director said the photo was an iconic image and an integral part of its history. "Its value far exceeded its monetary worth," said Geneviève Dumas.

Canadian media said a man from Ontario had been arrested and charged over the theft.