The 13th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, taking place at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village from 31 January to 28 February 2025, celebrates the intricate beauty of ‘memory’ as its theme.
We have invited 200 local and global artists to participate in the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2025 Festival to explore the depths of their innermost thoughts and emotions and share with us all their most vivid memories. They have responded by embarking on personal journeys of introspection and discovery to create a shared communal space for catharsis, healing and connection for this year’s festival.
Oscar Wilde once famously said “Memory is a diary that we all carry about with us.” Our first memories are often the very first moment we were struck by consciousness, the moment we began to recognize ourselves and began defining who we are. As life progresses and more memories form, we then begin developing an idea of who we want to become. But first, we need to ask ourselves – who were we?
Memory is the thread that binds us to our past, illuminating the path we have taken, all the while guiding us towards our future. Memories can be entwined with the memories of our people, our ancestors, our country.
Or even something else entirely. A place. A person. An experience. Maybe a thought or a story.
We invite you to journey with us and immerse yourself in the intangible landscapes of collective and individual consciousness as you weave your way through the evocative Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.
On behalf of the festival team and our volunteers we warmly welcome you to the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2025. Get ready for a completely transformative festival experience, where creativity meets tradition.
Presented by
Officially Partnered With
Partnered With
Festival Catalogue
Browse the 2025 Festival's catalogue for a comprehensive view of all activities offered at the Festival, including previews from artwork by participating artists.
2024 Festival Theme
Explore a world reborn in motion with the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a global pause, revealing nature’s beauty and resilience in stillness. Formerly the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, our transformation signifies a new beginning, inviting you to reimagine the possibilities for the next decade.
In Motion challenges the concept of a new “normal” and beckons you to embrace the constant evolution of our diverse world. From generative AI and NFTs to space journeys and environmental movements, our Festival celebrates and critiques the power of motion and change.
Join us on this exploration, pondering what it means to live life in perpetual motion once again.
Special Collaborators
Exhibition Friends
Belly Of
the Beast
Guest Culinary Experience from South Africa, starring Chefs Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart. A tasting menu with no menu options or set amount of courses, just show up and trust them to serve you super-tasty sustainable, seasonal fare! Join us for an exclusive dinner on March 1. Purchase tickets in advance through the Festival website.
Garden of Self
Reflected Memories
A ‘house of light’ modern art conceptual house in amongst the ruins that mirrors the ancient village houses surrounding it. This sculpture feature will feel both alien and completely connected to reality, as it reflects the history and architecture of Al Jazeera Al Hamra simultaneously with the moving crowds from the present. Conceptually a rehabilitation of this ancient village by mixing old memories with new.
Memory
Lane
Wander along our new pathway from Zone C to Ahmed bin Omran villa to view the exhibition of artworks from Festival winners of the past five years.
Back in
Time Weekend
Showcasing a series of programs and workshops that will take you back to your childhood, soak in those nostalgic vibes across 7-9 February 2025.
01
An Enriching and Immersive Experience:
Education is an essential component of our Festival. The Festival seeks to nurture the community's love for art and provide a unique experiential journey through cutting-edge discussions, masterclasses, heritage conservation, and culture.
02
A Synthesis of Heritage, Culture, & The Arts
Catalyzes revitalization of the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, UAE's last remaining intact Emirati pearling village, by hosting exhibitions and thought-provoking programs throughout the winter season.
03
Positioning Ras Al Khaimah
Cultivate Ras Al Khaimah's status as a center for social and human innovation and creativity in adding dimensions to quality of life and enriching the experience of living in Ras Al Khaimah.
04
Democratization of Art
Inclusivity is a crucial mission in our Festival. Art is for Everyone, and we strive to embody this in all aspects of our exhibition and programming.
Workshops
Unleash your creativity in themed workshops designed to inspire and engage. From hands-on crafting to vibrant art techniques, explore unique experiences that spark imagination and bring your ideas to life.
Performances and Films
Enjoy captivating performances and film screenings thoughtfully curated to complement each weekend’s theme at the 13th Annual Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival. Featuring a blend of indoor and outdoor cinematic experiences alongside live artistic expressions, these events immerse audiences in creativity while celebrating the region’s rich history and culture.
Tours
Discover the rich culture and history of Ras Al Khaimah through guided experiences, including an inspiring art tour of exhibitions, a mystical tour unveiling regional legends, a heritage tour at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, and a food walk featuring the city’s culinary delights on a unique gastronomic trail.
Culinary Experiences
A gastronomic journey featuring exclusive dining experiences with Antica Australis and Belly of the Beast, blending flavors with artistry.
Talks
Join our Speaker Series, where guest experts delve into diverse topics, from local culture and heritage to community insights and innovation. Engage, learn, and be inspired!
Community Weekends
Our art festival stands out from the crowd for its unique themed community weekends, making it a favourite for families and groups of friends to head down to the village each weekend for different fun and laughter filled experiences. Our Cultural Weekend is an absolute highlight celebrating Emirati cultural traditions, artisans and artists.
Special Collaborations
RAKART 2025 Festival features six exhibitions in partnership with the Marinko Sudac Foundation, U.S. Mission to the UAE, and the embassies of the Netherlands, Germany, UK and Brazil. The festival will also host Friday night screenings of Japanese films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan. Each exhibition explores “Memory” through cultural expressions from Asia, Europe, and the Americas in Al Jazeera Al Hamra.
Barasti Market
t just keeps getting better and better each year, attracting some of Ras Al Khaimah’s funkiest eateries and boutiques. Our favourite bit? Many of our stallholders are local Emiratis, serving up traditional cuisine and contemporary twists. Make a beeline on arrival for tasty snacks at the Barasti Market at the main entrance just by AJAH Fort. There are dedicated seating areas for takeaway bites, or visit 1484 by Puro café and take a relaxing seat and enjoy their signature menu.
Guided Tours
Explore the rich heritage of Ras Al Khaimah with two distinct tours. Book in for a guided Heritage Walk around Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village to discover its’ narrow laneways, traditional mud-brick houses and iconic wind towers. Also not to be missed is the RAK Food & Heritage Tour which will take you exploring through Ras Al Khaimah Old Town, sampling from local merchants and taking you to places you would never find on your own without a local guide! You need to register in advance for these tours through the festival website.
The Festival Curator's Tale:
A Journey Through In Motion
“Across history, the drive to explore has propelled both human progress and artistic inspiration. Today, artists plunge into uncharted realms, navigating landscapes and dimensions to unveil diverse connections and cultures.
The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival seamlessly integrates motion, culture, and perception, immersing participants in a dynamic narrative. Guided through the enchanting Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, visitors traverse storied pathways, encountering captivating installations by local and international artists that harmonize with this year’s Festival theme: In Motion.
Amidst this evolving scene, movement becomes an opportunity to discover new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness. This Festival unveils more than art—it reveals a story flourishing in this remarkable place, a testament to our human journey.”
Festival Curator
Our 2025
Artist-In-Residence
Anja Bamberg
We are thrilled to introduce Anja Bamberg as our Artist-in-Residence for 2025. A German artist and art therapist currently living in Dubai, Anja has pursued a career as an art therapist alongside her personal arts practice over the last 20 years. Growing up next to the Baltic Sea, she focusing mainly on paintings with water and the sea as an essential focus.
“Capturing my favorite topic WATER has been an essential part of my artistic work over the last 20 years, perhaps because I grew up by an ocean, and everything around this theme still fascinates me today,” says Anja.
You can find Anja’s Festival Art Installation during the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2025 Festival at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.
2024 Curatorial Bio
Alfio Tommasini
Born in Lodano, Switzerland, Alfio Tommasini is a photographer, curator, and artistic director interested in the relationship people have with the territory they live in. He has exhibited and published work internationally, receiving several awards for his photography work. Alfio is the co-founder of Verzasca Foto Festival, where he’s responsible for the artistic direction and curation. He also works as a freelance photographer and is interested in local and international collaborations.
Throughout history, the urge to explore has fueled both humanity's progress and artists' inspiration. Today, this drive propels artists into uncharted territories of the physical world and abstract realms, seeking unexplored connections and diverse cultures.
Ras Al Khaimah Art merges motion, culture, and perception. Our exhibition route and events immerse you in this dynamic narrative, becoming a part of the very essence of movement. Step by step through the heritage village's storied pathways, you'll encounter captivating installations. Crafted by local and international artists, these masterpieces harmonize with this year's Festival theme: In Motion.
Like the pioneers of the Emirates, who epitomized exploration, today's nation is a hub of work and leisure. In this evolving scene, movement offers a chance to unearth new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness.
Art is a realm where motion embodies evolution. Ras Al Khaimah Art goes beyond aesthetics, birthing a cultural movement resonating through time. Amid the enchanting landscape of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, join us in discovering life's essence through culture, art, and movement. Ras Al Khaimah Art reveals more than just art; it mirrors our human journey—a story flourishing in this remarkable place.
Highlights
Founded in 2013, we’ve grown from a small festival of 30 emerging Ras Al Khaimah-based artists to become the emirate’s cultural event of the year. Since 2019, the Festival has called Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village home, hosting a large-scale, outdoor exhibition modeled after La Gacilly Photo Festival in France. The historic home of the Al Zaabi tribe, the traditional pearling village now serves as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary art, bringing together art lovers, history enthusiasts, and the rest of the community to engage with new forms of art and learn about Ras Al Khaimah’s rich history. In recognition of Ras Al Khaimah’s connection to the desert, the mountains, and the sea, RAFKAF also hosts satellite exhibitions on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, and luxury beach destination, Marjan Island.
Travel Information
Located just about 70 kilometers from Dubai Terminal 3, the journey to the 2025 Festival at Al Jazeera Al Hamra is both quick and convenient. This short trip, averaging around an hour, leads you to the heart of the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, where a world of cultural enrichment awaits.
Travel Information
Founded in 2013, we’ve grown from a small festival of 30 emerging Ras Al Khaimah-based artists to become the emirate’s cultural event of the year. Since 2019, the Festival has called Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village home, hosting a large-scale, outdoor exhibition modeled after La Gacilly Photo Festival in France. The historic home of the Al Zaabi tribe, the traditional pearling village now serves as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary art, bringing together art lovers, history enthusiasts, and the rest of the community to engage with new forms of art and learn about Ras Al Khaimah’s rich history. In recognition of Ras Al Khaimah’s connection to the desert, the mountains, and the sea, RAFKAF also hosts satellite exhibitions on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, and luxury beach destination, Marjan Island.
Past Festivals
- 2022
- 150+ Artists
- 49 Nationalities
- 2021
- 111 Artists
- 49 Nationalities
- 2020
- 110 Artists
- 33 Nationalities
- 2019
- 74 Artists
- 31 Nationalities
- 2018
- 84 Artists
- 30 Nationalities
- 2017
- 64 Artists
- 31 Nationalities
- 2016
- 73 Artists
- 31 Nationalities
- 2015
- 65 Artists
- 24 Nationalities
- 2014
- 41 Artists
- 16 Nationalities
- 2013
- 26 Artists
- 12 Nationalities
- 2021
- 11 Artists
- 2021
- 11 Artists
Past Festivals
Throughout history, the urge to explore has fueled both humanity's progress and artists' inspiration. Today, this drive propels artists into uncharted territories of the physical world and abstract realms, seeking unexplored connections and diverse cultures.
Ras Al Khaimah Art merges motion, culture, and perception. Our exhibition route and events immerse you in this dynamic narrative, becoming a part of the very essence of movement. Step by step through the heritage village's storied pathways, you'll encounter captivating installations. Crafted by local and international artists, these masterpieces harmonize with this year's Festival theme: In Motion.
Like the pioneers of the Emirates, who epitomized exploration, today's nation is a hub of work and leisure. In this evolving scene, movement offers a chance to unearth new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness.
Art is a realm where motion embodies evolution. Ras Al Khaimah Art goes beyond aesthetics, birthing a cultural movement resonating through time. Amid the enchanting landscape of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, join us in discovering life's essence through culture, art, and movement. Ras Al Khaimah Art reveals more than just art; it mirrors our human journey—a story flourishing in this remarkable place.