Culture & Education | Friday 23 January, 2015 1:39 am |

Dubai’s first ‘Latin Art Fest,’ a must-visit event for arts and culture enthusiasts, will showcase the best of Latin art, culture and entertainment. The avant-garde atmosphere of the streets of Al Quoz and Artissima Gallery will host an exuberant display of art, regional cuisines and live entertainment from a number of Latin American countries and Spain.

On 30 January 2015, for one night only (7-11pm), the largest Latino Fiesta to date in the UAE, the LAF 2015, will stretch through the Alleyway on 8th Street to Artissima Gallery in Al Quoz. LAF visitors will enjoy fascinating music performances by Latin-American and Spanish artists, offering a unique street-feel experience for UAE residents.
LAF is part of the exciting line-up of events and activities of the milestone 20th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival organized by the Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

As a highlight of the festival, Artissima Gallery will feature a new commission and the first solo exhibition in the Middle East of British multi-award winning fine art photographer, Tariq Zaidi: “Latinos in the UAE”. The exhibition will remain open to the public for two weeks.

Maria Urrutia, founder of the All Quoz Project, said: “We are proud to bring the first major celebration of Latin culture to the heart of Dubai this DSF, transforming the streets into a Carnival of Latin art and culture".

Dr Ximena Cordova, LAF Project Manager, said: "We hope it will serve to strengthen the ties between the 50,000-strong community of Latinos living in the UAE and our hosts, and to bring up to date the ancient history of links between Arabic and Hispanic culture, thus highlighting the role of Dubai as a major site in contemporary global culture".
The LAF is organised by All Quoz Project and presented by “ITL World – Middle East’s Leading ITL World - Travel Management Company" & "Art UAE".
LAF is supported by Bailame Cuba, Easy Dance, BNF, Bazar Latino, Latinos en los Emiratos Arabes Unidos, El Correo del Golfo and the following Embassies and Consulates in the UAE: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.