Akademy Announces Exclusive Line-Up of Inaugural UAE Events Series

• Intellectual private member’s club celebrates its official UAE launch with an exclusive opening ceremony held at Dubai Opera 
• Announces a curated programme of events and lectures uniting the region’s finest academic, business and creative thought leaders, in partnership with leading entities and keynote speakers across the region 

Akademy, the exclusive intellectual member’s circle, celebrated its official launch in the UAE during a private opening held yesterday at the Dubai Opera. The ceremony united the world’s finest academic, creative and business thought leaders, introducing the private club to the region. A special performance by Dana Al Fardan, Qatar’s first female composer, and singer-songwriter, took guests on a journey through neo-classical compositions matched with contemporary songwriting as she performed her latest released album INDIGO, along with a chamber orchestra, taking guests on a multi-sensory experience combining light, colour and sound.

Serving as a base for the world’s intellectual, artistic and cultural circles, Akademy aims to bring together like-minded individuals who share similar interests and an infinite curiosity to learn. Akademy believes in the power of education and works to curate a membership-only programme to present unique events and lectures, raising awareness of the thriving Middle Eastern culture and showcasing the region’s rich heritage to the rest of the world. 

Celebrating the thriving art scene in the UAE, Akademy will partner with leading galleries and curators to provide a rich programme of events with special collaborations throughout the year. Starting in February, Akademy members will enjoy an exclusive preview of the solo exhibition of Hayv Kahraman, an Iraqi contemporary artist at The Third Line Gallery in the thriving art district, Al Serkal Avenue. 

Continuing the series of bespoke curated events, Akademy will be organising expert talks and private film screenings for members throughout the semesters. In April 2023, members will enjoy a private screening of the film “It Ain’t Where You Are From” presented by the Executive Artistic Director at NYU Abu Dhabi and Philip Rachid, aka Soultrotter, in a special conversation on the Middle East’s underground music culture. Members of the club will have a chance to visit the private art collection of Lebanese-born artist and collector, Noura Ali-Al Ramahi, in Abu Dhabi. 

Commenting on the launch, Olga Fler, co-founder and main representative of Akademy in the UAE, said: “We are proud to launch Akademy in the UAE and introduce our bespoke platform aiming to build a discerning community that entices thought-provoking conversation and debate. The cultural scene in the region is thriving and we look forward to working with our fellow members and partners to curate events to connect people, nurture minds and raise further awareness of the Middle Eastern heritage and culture.”

Throughout the year, Akademy will present a curated programme of events and lectures to enrich the world of its members and spark dialogue across a wide range of topics, including science, technology, arts and culture. Since its establishment in 2020 in the UK by two prominent leaders based in London, Anastasia Belyak and Kamilia Shaimieva, Akademy continues to build a discerning community through a curated programme of events and lectures. The bespoke membership-based platform champions the power of knowledge and celebrates diverse thinking, profound reflection and appreciation of one another. In the past two years, Akademy successfully presented over 40 events in partnership with world-renowned fashion brands such as Cartier, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana as well as leading private clubs, including Holland & Holland, Annabel’s and Savile Club in the UK, providing unparalleled access to some of the world’s leading academics and thought leaders.