Participants had the opportunity to visit some of the Emirates’ most significant museum and cultural sites. These included the Etihad Museum, Al Shindaga Museum Complex, the studio of contemporary designer Kristina Fidelskaya, as well as the “Poetics of Birds” jewelry exhibition at the School of Jewelry Arts Van Cleef & Arpels in Dubai Design District. Regional visits were also organized to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, and the Hatta mountain region.
Tatjana Mikulić, Museum Advisor at the Etnographic Museum, participated in the Adornment and Design session within the work of the International Committee for Costume.
“My presentation in the Adornment and Design session, as part of the International Committee for Costume, was an exceptional opportunity to introduce ourselves to a global audience. It is particularly valuable to exchange experiences with colleagues from diverse cultures and to explore how tradition and contemporary approaches intertwine and inspire each other,” emphasized Mikulić.
In addition to museum visits, participants were introduced to key aspects of the Emirates’ traditional heritage. Demonstrations included the Yowlah men’s dance, the Talli hand-decoration technique (listed as intangible cultural heritage of the UAE), perfume-making, Arabic calligraphy, traditional tea-drinking rituals, and other everyday life practices. These experiences allowed international guests to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural identity of the Emirates and its rich traditions.
Participation in the ICOM General Assembly in Dubai enabled the Etnographic Museum to be represented on the international stage, strengthening professional networks, fostering knowledge exchange, and establishing new collaborations that will shape the future of museum practice.
