CultureSummit 2018 showcases connection between heritage and innovation 

A global gathering of over 400 delegates from more than 80 countries recently attended the CultureSummit 2018 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi to discuss the role that culture plays in addressing global challenges including poverty, extremism, climate change and heritage preservation. Under the theme of Unexpected Collaborations: Forging New Connections Between Heritage and Innovation, Near and Far, Creativity and Purpose, the four-day summit took place from 8-11 April. The programme included keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops and entertainment, including a performance from the European Union Youth Orchestra. The Cultural Diplomat of the Year winners were also announced. Highlights included talks from Nancy Spector, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s artistic director; Drew Bennett, founder and director of Facebook’s artist-in-residence programme; Touria el Glaoui, founder, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair; Molly Fannon, director of International Relations at the Smithsonian Institution; and Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate.