A stage for spectacle and subtlety: Inside Dar Al Funoon

There have been some very lovely cultural announcements in the last couple of weeks.

Yes, we have had Dar El Fanoun, which is a new cultural centre.

You have a bit more information about this that's been announced for Sadia Island.

Yes, so it's going to be a performing arts space, but very all-encompassing.

Dar El Fanoun, you'll be able to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it translates to House of Arts.

Yes, well done.

So that really encapsulates what it is going to be.

It's going to be a performing arts space, a music space, so kind of more than an opera house.

It is just going to really bring everything in.

And I've heard tell of, actually I thought of you when I heard tell of this, there's going to be a jazz space in there.

And I thought my girl's going to love that.

I do love a bit of live music.

And I think even though we have got NYU AD has got a space, I think there's always room for more.

And it's lovely that they're bringing it to the cultural district on Saadiyat.

And it's expected to open in 2030.

So kind of soon.

Yeah.

I'd like to talk a little bit about the building, if you will indulge me.

Yes, I will.

So the architect is Frank Gehry, who I'm a huge fan of anyway.

He has designed many buildings.

Very

significant buildings.

Very significant.

One of which being the new Guggenheim, which is set to open October.