Culture Bites

This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews sit down with chef and author Asma Khan during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai. Born and raised in India, Asma later moved to the UK where she eventually opened her highly acclaimed restaurant, Darjeeling Express. She became the first British chef to be featured on the Netflix documentary series, Chef’s Table. She tells the hosts she insisted her all-female team be featured on the show, as part of her mission to celebrate women, who typically do most of the cooking across cultures but seldom receive enough credit or pay. Asma also discusses the writing journey and concept of her latest cookbook, Monsoon, which includes recipes that complement the six seasons of her homeland. She explains that growing up in India, she used to know what season it was based on the produce available in the market. But times have changed significantly and she speaks to Enas and Farah about the impact that year-round ingredients have had on global food systems and vulnerable farmers. Her book, she says, is meant to encourage people to cook with fresh ingredients available to them and share the special gift of home-cooked meals with their loved ones. The hosts later explore the literary festival and pick up some of the books they’re most looking forward to reading this year.

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore Abu Dhabi’s heritage through Al Hosn Festival, which runs until February 1. They are joined by Farah Al Bakoush, acting director of Intangible Cultural Heritage at Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, to discuss the highlights of this year’s event. She provides a sneak peek of the interactive activations not to be missed, including a heritage escape room. She also tells the podcast hosts about the crafts demonstrations, music and live cooking stations that are designed to celebrate Emirati identity and culture. The festival takes place at Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest stone structure in Abu Dhabi. Enas and Farah speak to Asma Al Maskari, senior education specialist at Qasr Al Hosn, who tells them about the importance of the site. The structure has transformed over time. It was first built in the 18th century as a watchtower protecting coastal trade routes. Later, a fort and a palace were constructed and, following renovation, it became a museum in 2018. Asma talks about the architecture, the rich history of Qasr Al Hosn and its role connecting the city’s past to its present.

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews host contemporary artist Werner Bronkhorst ahead of his first exhibition in Dubai. The 24-year-old South Africa-born Australian painter talks about the global premiere of his new collection, Crack, which will be on display at Concrete in Alserkal Avenue from January 16 to 18. Even at his young age, Bronkorst’s work has become massively popular, appealing to people all over the world. The Sydney-based artist is known for his technique of drawing realistic paintings of miniature people and objects on abstract backgrounds, which are created using thick layers of paint. In his new collection, Bronkhorst explores landscapes under pressure, featuring deserts and earthy palettes that may feel familiar to Gulf dwellers. He tells Enas and Farah about his largest piece yet, to be showcased at the upcoming exhibition, and shares his reflections on cultural appreciation in the UAE, as well as what’s inspiring him here to make more art.

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei is joined by UAE-based musician Ghazi Al Mulaifi to talk about the traditions of Kuwaiti pearl-diving music that inspired his band, Boom.Diwan. Ghazi tells Enas about his own family history of pearl diving and the intrigue it sparked in him. The rich cultural practice was also an arduous one, marked by long perilous journeys and hardship. Music was an important component to boost morale and help the divers prepare for their working day. Boom.Diwan revives these rhythms in a Khaleeji jazz-fusion style that Ghazi describes as experimental. He talks about how elders react to his music and the importance of preserving the authenticity of pearl-diving heritage, while also performing for new and diverse audiences. Boom.Diwan’s cross-cultural collaborations have also uncovered shared histories and sounds that span continents. Their coming performance at The Red Theatre at NYU Abu Dhabi on January 14 will feature a number of international guests including South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini. 

In this season finale of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews reflect on the culture-defining moments that had the biggest impact on them in 2025. The hosts share their favourite movies, TV series and books from the past year, with a look back at both fiction and non-fiction titles. They also highlight their most memorable art institution visits. Enas describes what it was like stepping into the Grand Egyptian Museum ahead of its history-making opening this year. Farah talks about her journey at Nomad Abu Dhabi, which transformed the decommissioned Terminal 1 of Zayed International Airport into a sprawling art and design venue. No review is complete without a nod to the year’s most captivating pop culture moments. Enas offers lessons learnt from a major scandal in the music industry, while Farah conducts a postmortem of a space mission that created more questions than answers.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore how cultural heritage is preserved, celebrated and carried forward, from one of the UAE’s newly opened museums to the living traditions recognised by Unesco. The episode opens at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, where Farah records from inside the new landmark on Saadiyat Island. In that segment, Moaza Matar, director of the curatorial and collections management department at the museum, explains how the galleries were developed to reflect the nation’s journey, from ancient history and maritime life to the formation of the modern state. She discusses how the themes were chosen and how the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, shapes the narrative throughout the museum. Moaza also talks about the visitor experience, beginning with the outdoor Al Masar Garden and moving through the galleries, sharing what she hopes visitors will feel and understand as they leave. Back in the studio, the episode turns to recent developments in regional culture, including the addition of Arab dishes and traditions such as koshary, bisht and zaffa to Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list. Enas and Farah both share their thoughts on what this list means for the wider Arab culture. The hosts also give their recommendations for what to do and see this week, including Manar Abu Dhabi and A Merry Little Ex-Mas a Christmas romcom on Netflix.

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews reveal their Spotify Wrapped summaries, each with their own listening age plot twist. The end-of-year stats delivered by Spotify and other similar audio streaming platforms have become popular among users over the years. Enas and Farah dig through their listening habits to understand why people love to learn about their own personalities. While the over-mining of user data is generally controversial, Spotify Wrapped has managed to turn information into a fun experience that people love to share publicly. This time of year also marks the run up to awards season. The 83rd Golden Globe Award nominations have been announced before the ceremony, set to take place on January 11. The hosts share their thoughts on some of the top contenders, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which is competing for nine awards. They also highlight some of the best international features in the running such as The Voice of Hind Rajab and Iranian film It Was Just an Accident.

This week, Culture Bites celebrates its 100th episode from the newly-opened Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews tour the sprawling space in Saadiyat Cultural District and explore the 13.8-billion-year story of the universe. They speak to the museum’s director Peter Kjaergaard about the emotional connection to the natural world that he wants visitors to experience. He tells them about the hidden gems worth discovering beyond some of the main highlights, including surprise easter eggs placed across the museum. The key message, he says, is for people to recognise the power to create positive change for the planet. Enas and Farah also catch up with assistant curator Noora Albalooshi. She explains the process of curating science and talks about procuring artefacts including fossils that were excavated in Abu Dhabi. A dedicated gallery at the museum recreates the Arabian landscape of the UAE millions of years ago and Noora says it often shocks visitors to see the savannahs and prehistoric creatures that roamed the region. The hosts give recommendations of their own of what not to miss at the museum, including battling T-rexes and a piece of the moon you can touch. 

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews visit the Abu Dhabi Art fair and speak to some of the artists whose work caught their eye. The Beyond Emerging Artists programme features up-and-coming UAE-based talents, and this year it is curated by renowned Syrian artist Issam Kourbaj. He speaks to Enas about working with the participants to bring their installations to life, and he gives a preview of his own showcase within the fair’s Gateway exhibition, a commentary on the burdens and inevitability of migration. On a related theme, Farah explores the interactive piece by Jou Pabalate and Alexis Convento, part of the Filipino collective Sa Tahanan Co. Cooking from a Migrant Memory, Iteration II is a multisensory tablescape inspired by the recipe book and journal of Jou’s mother, who migrated to Saudi Arabia in the 1970s. It is not just a visual experience; visitors are invited to eat the art. The hosts also give their recommendations for what to do and see this week, including The Arts Edit Live, an online conversation on November 27 moderated by The National’s William Mullally, exploring the UAE’s rapid cultural evolution. Farah is taking part in the discussion alongside Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, and Laila Binbrek, director of the National Pavilion UAE. 

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews preview Abu Dhabi Art before its opening on November 19. Dyala Nusseibeh, director of Abu Dhabi Art, speaks about what visitors can expect to see this year, as a record number of galleries from around the world take part. The fair’s growth over time reflects Abu Dhabi’s efforts to become a centre for culture enthusiasts, especially as it brings more focus to art from the global south. Several countries will be participating for the first time this year, while special exhibitions will focus on Nigeria, Turkey and the Gulf region. Nusseibeh talks about the opportunity for visitors to relate to art from other parts of the world and build cross-cultural connections. She also discusses the importance of making art accessible and creating a friendly atmosphere at Abu Dhabi Art that offers something for everyone, from families and young professionals to art collectors. The hosts also recommend a brand new Netflix show, and getting fit on Yas Marina Circuit.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews speak to executive creative director at Expo City Dubai, Amna Abulhoul, about curating the upcoming Dhai Dubai festival. Celebrating heritage through light, seven Emirati artists are showcasing their installations at the second edition of the event, taking place at Expo City Dubai's Al Wasl Plaza from November 12 to 18. Amna talks about the inspiration behind the name of the festival and shares stories about working with the artists to bring their pieces to life. By the Giza pyramids in Cairo, the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum drew the attention of millions around the world. Dignitaries and celebrities attended the historic event, 20 years after the museum’s construction first began. It was a moment of pride for Egyptians to see its doors finally open. For Doaa Fraid, The National’s podcast lead, it was personal. She tells Enas and Farah about what it was like over the years watching the GEM’s journey from her home, just a stone’s throw away. She shares her memories of the building being built and the treasures it holds inside.

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews are joined by The National’s in-house pop culture expert Faisal Al Zaabi to talk about his experience of the Art in Scents tour at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The museum has collaborated with Swiss fragrance maker Givaudan to interpret the aromas of nine artworks in its permanent collection. Visitors receive a book, which they can scratch the pages of to release a scent for each corresponding art piece. Faisal describes some of the most interesting fragrances in the tour, including The Louvre’s own signature scent, and gives the hosts a chance to try some for themselves. With Halloween approaching, film buffs will be after the scariest movie of the season. But for self-proclaimed scaredy cats – like Farah – the horror genre can be overwhelming. Faisal suggests some less frightening alternatives to watch, such as Steven Spielberg's truck-hunt thriller Duel and the creepy crawlies classic Arachnophobia.

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore the world of art heists in the aftermath of the break-in at the Louvre in Paris. It took only seven minutes for thieves to break into the museum’s Apollo Gallery and steal several pieces of precious jewellery, all of which have significant historical value. This is not the first time the Louvre has been the target of thieves. In 1911, the Mona Lisa was taken by an Italian immigrant who said he felt it belonged to his country, only for it to be recovered two years later. Farah and Enas talk about what could happen to the jewels (will they be melted down or sold on?) and discuss other infamous museum heists. The hosts also reflect on this year’s El Gouna Film Festival, which wraps this week. This year the event has paid tribute to famed Egyptian actress Yousra, celebrating her 50-year career. From her films with actor Adel Imam and acclaimed director Youssef Chahine, Yousra has played a bold role in shaping Arabic cinema over the decades. 

This week on Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews bring attention to an often neglected but worthy force of nature − the mushroom. Their guest in this episode, Georgina Pereira, is the species survival manager at Terra, Expo City Dubai where she works as a mushroom scientist. On the occasion of World Mushroom Day, she talks to Enas and Farah about the infinite ways that fungi shape our world: from cooking and medicinal properties, to fashion and culture, and environmental conservation. They discuss historical Emirati traditions of foraging mushrooms and the rootedness of the species in the UAE’s deserts. Georgina talks about a growing community of people in the country who are going out to explore and forage mushrooms for themselves, as ecologists draw more attention to their value. Pop culture also had its mushroom moment after the post-apocalyptic TV series, The Last of Us, unlocked new fears that a certain species could mean our demise. Are zombie fungi in fact real? Georgina tells the hosts, in a way, yes. 

In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give the scoop on the production of Dune: Part Three in Abu Dhabi. Filming for the third instalment of the sci-fi blockbuster is expected to start this month in the emirate’s Liwa desert. Leading cast members, including Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, are expected to be arriving in the UAE soon. Jason Momoa was already spotted in Dubai last weekend. Farah reveals some behind the scenes details of the shoot in Abu Dhabi, including the hotel that the actors may be staying at. In the Arabic music scene, a bizarre saga may finally be coming to an end. Iconic music artist and composer Fadel Chaker has just surrendered himself to authorities after being on the run for a decade. The pop star was convicted for taking part in the 2013 clashes in Sidon that killed 18 Lebanese soldiers. Enas shares the artist’s story, his life in hiding and how he still made massively popular music despite being a fugitive.

This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews tell the story of the famous Hejaz railway, as Turkey, Syria and Jordan prepare to bring a section of it back to life. Back in the 1900s, Sultan Abdulhamid II of the Ottoman Empire envisioned a rail line that stretched from Istanbul all the way to Makkah, making pilgrimage easier. While it was never completed entirely, the railway did connect Damascus to Madinah, cutting the typical journey from a 40-day camel caravan trek to a three-day train ride. But the once prominent line fell into despair as conflict spread and the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Farah and Enas talk about the significance of reviving the route that once connected the region and how it can signal a moment of healing after so much turmoil. The hosts also share their thoughts on the Arab films submitted for Best International Feature at next year’s Oscars. Only one Arab film has won this category, the Algerian movie Z back in 1970. The hosts highlight some of the strong contenders for 2026. These include Happy Birthday, an Egyptian film that tackles the issue of child labour, and Calle Malaga, a Moroccan picture about a woman who fights to keep her childhood house in Tangier after her daughter decides to sell it.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews react to Drake’s new track, which samples a song from the Lebanese icon Fairuz. During a live stream to promote his upcoming album, Iceman, the Canadian hip-hop artist played a song that featured vocals from Fariuz’s 1979 hit Wahdon. It sparked concern among Arab audiences over whether the Lebanese singer would be credited and compensated. Enas and Farah reflect on the criticism against Western artists sampling political Arabic songs out of context. They also discuss the merits of embracing cultural elements from the region. This comes at a time when artists all over the world are becoming more vocal about their solidarity with Palestinians. After a strong show of support by actors at the Venice Film Festival and the Emmys, London hosted Together for Palestine, a benefit concert for the people of Gaza. The hosts highlight some of the musicians in the line-up, including Bastille, Elyanna and Adnan Joubran of Le Trio Joubran. They talk about the growing action by the global art community to protest the atrocities in Gaza.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews take a closer look at the reactions to The Voice of Hind Rajab at the Venice Film Festival. The film uses real audio from the harrowing distress call of a five-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza as she came under Israeli fire. It won a Silver Lion and received a record-breaking standing ovation, but some critics called it out for using “tear-jerking tactics”. Enas and Farah talk about the director’s response in an interview she gave to The National, and discuss the profound impact the film could have on audiences. In the literary world, a new book by Indian author Chetan Bhagat has stirred up controversy over its age-gap love story. The novel, 12 Years: My Messed-up Love Story, centres on a relationship between a 33-year-old and a 21-year-old. Social media users called it “creepy” but is this age difference really so strange? The hosts reflect on different cultural norms when it comes to age and look back at examples in literature.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews follow the story of Mosul’s historical landmarks from construction to destruction and finally restoration. This week, The National’s team visited the 2,500-year-old Iraqi city to observe the completion of a seven-year UAE-led project to rebuild Al Nuri Mosque with its famous leaning minaret, as well as the churches of Our Lady of the Hour Convent and Al Tahera. After standing tall for hundreds of years, the structures were destroyed by ISIS. Now, they rise again as symbols of hope and co-existence in Mosul. The hosts talk about the immense scope of the restoration efforts and the importance of reviving such historical treasures. Meanwhile, solidarity with Palestine is in the spotlight at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. A large protest was staged at the start of the event on the back of an open letter signed by 1,500 industry professionals calling on the organisers to amplify Palestinian voices. Enas and Farah comment on the bolder actions taken by artists this year in contrast to the year before. They also preview the The Voice of Hind Rajab ahead of its premiere at the festival, and discuss what it means to have high-profile backers such as Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.

In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews trace back the origins of the seven emirates, and how they got their names. Drawing from both official records and local narratives, they look at the connection between human activity and geography that shaped each emirate. Abu Dhabi for example derives its meaning from accounts of early settlers following a gazelle to fresh water. As for Dubai, popular theories suggest that the name stems from daba, meaning “to flow slowly” – probably a reference to the movement of vessels. The hosts also share some of the powerful testimonies published in Daybreak in Gaza, an anthology book documenting life during war. The project was compiled and released in record time out of fear that its contributors in the strip would be killed before the book was finished. Enas and Farah talk about the editors’ mission of cultural preservation, and effort to humanise Palestinians, who are often reduced to mere statistics. This week, the presenters recommend their pick of television shows, including Love is Blind and Platonic, and films.