Al Rostamani Group: Sponsor of the First Dubai Calligraphy Biennale/Emirati Business Company Considers Using Art to Create a Better World

Numerous indicators of the growth and evolution of art in the Middle East can be seen in the first Dubai Calligraphy Biennale. One such positive development is the involvement of a private sector company as the principal sponsor: Group Al Rostamani

Iranart: The private sector is driving the advancement of the arts, and a significant portion of this is made up of powerful economic and commercial cartels and leading oil firms.

Nearly all of the world's major worldwide brands today support the visual arts in order to appear more beautiful and deserving. 

The most recent instance, which also happens to be well-known worldwide, is Coca-Cola. The brand, which appears to not need any promotion, has publicly said that it supports art in order to be perceived differently by showcasing a unique advertisement film. 

The video is located in a gallery of a museum. A can of Coca-Cola is passed amongst works of greatness in the world of art, including Andy Warhol's "Coca-Cola" painting and works by masters like Edvard Munch and Vincent van Gogh, until it inspires a young painter.

However, the Middle East's vast economic sectors and artistic production are developing slowly and cannot be compared to global levels. In this regard, the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale is a shining example. Al Rostamani Group, a prominent Emirati corporate organization, is the event's primary sponsor.

One of the largest and longest-running business organizations in the United Arab Emirates, the group was founded in 1957 with Abdullah Hassan Al Rostamani serving as its chairman. Over the course of the last 50 years, it has grown steadily and diligently while adhering to the guiding principles of commitment, care, and vision with a sincere concern for the community.

As the most domestic business in the UAE, Al Rostamani Group specializes in trade, finance, energy, real estate, construction, and transportation.

Al Rostamani Group writes in their website: “When I look back at our humble beginnings, I can hardly believe our business and our country have come so far, so fast. I was only 15 years old when i began working as a clerk. At that time, some of my countrymen still made a living from pearl diving. Life was simple; our needs were few.

Nobody knew then what lay in store; the development of our vast oil resources, the birth of a nation, the building of our infrastructure, the swift growth of our economy. This bright future was yet to unfold when, in 1954, my brother Abdul Wahed and I established the Al-Ahliya Library, Dubai's first bookshop. It was also our first undertaking as entrepreneurs. Several years later, we started a general trading company that would eventually become Al Rostamani Group.

Business increased steadily, with the growth of Dubai and other emirates, throughout the 1960s. With the founding of the federation in 1971, commercial opportunities exploded. Under the guidance of insightful leaders, the UAE was transformed seemingly overnight, into a powerful economic center of worldwide significance.

As in the past, Al Rostamani Group will participate in furthering the development of Dubai and UAE. We also see promise beyond our national borders. One of our major objectives is to pursue opportunities both regionally and globally. We look forward to doing so with new, as well as exisitng partners. We have come a long way since the days when pearl diving was one of the mainstays of our economy. Now, in the new Millennium, the world is our oyster."

Beginning on October 1 of 2023, the first Dubai Calligraphy Biennale will run for the entire month. The event, which is managed by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, showcases more than 200 national and international artists who employ a variety of calligraphic techniques.

Additionally, there are more than 100 workshops and talks exploring the various sides of calligraphy, given by renowned calligraphers and authorities in the subject.