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١. Kohl, Lined in History
Kohl has officially been inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, recognizing it as a powerful symbol of identity across North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. More than a cosmetic, kohl carries centuries of ritual, protection, care, and transmission—passed down through gestures, recipes, and everyday practices. This recognition honors the communities who have preserved its meanings, reaffirming kohl as a living heritage rooted in memory, femininity, spirituality, and resistance.
٢. Gorillaz Hit Damascus… Again
The virtual band Gorillaz has dropped a new single titled “Damascus”, featuring Syrian legend Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey, deepening their artistic engagement with the Syrian capital as part of their The Mountain project. The track continues a creative narrative that has seen the group reference and record in Damascus before — blending global sounds with local voices and marking the city as a recurring inspiration in their work. This return highlights how Gorillaz keeps weaving Middle Eastern soundscapes into their evolving musical world, bridging cultures through collaboration and sonic exploration.
٣. Code & Canvas: Idrissi Breaks Records in Paris
Moroccan artist Soufiane Idrissi just set a new milestone on the international art market: his 2009 work Painting with HTML 9.21 fetched €30,480 at Christie’s Paris on December 4, more than double its low estimate and marking the highest auction result of his career. The piece, a bold fusion of painterly gesture and digital language executed in cellulosic paint on panel, has already circulated in the market but never commanded such enthusiasm from collectors — a sign of growing global interest in hybrid aesthetics that bridge code, culture, and contemporary practice. Idrissi’s ascent, also seen in past notable appearances at Sotheby’s in London and New York, underscores the rising visibility of North African voices in the global art world.
٤. Marty Supreme and the Performance Outside the Film
Between orange blimps, fake cereal boxes, viral Zoom skits and Timothée Chalamet declaring this his “best performance yet,” Marty Supreme feels less like a film release and more like a pop-culture endurance test. A24’s maximalist promo machine blurs parody and sincerity so well that it’s hard to tell where the joke ends and the ego begins. Is it cinema, cosplay, or a very expensive meme? Either way, Marty’s already won — long before anyone’s seen the movie.
٥. Keffiyeh Takes Shape — Art & Solidarity in Barcelona
Barcelona’s Galería Alegría has opened its doors to the Keffiyeh Project, a nomadic art-and-humanitarian initiative rooted in urgent solidarity with the Palestinian cause that runs through mid-January at the gallery. More than a symbolic motif, the keffiyeh here becomes a platform for art, activism and community support, with collaborative works and events that challenge audiences to rethink the scarf’s charged meanings — from everyday cultural identity to resistance and collective memory. In partnering with this project, Alegría positions its contemporary program not only as a space for artistic experimentation but as a site of political engagement where aesthetics and advocacy intersect.
٦. The Long Way Back: A$AP Rocky
After years of half-hints and delays since his 2018 album Testing, A$AP Rocky is finally rolling out Don’t Be Dumb — his fourth studio album, expected to land January 16, 2026. The project has been teased with singles like Highjack, Tailor Swif, Ruby Rosary and Pray4DaGang, and now the official cover art has dropped, designed by cinematic auteur Tim Burton, signaling a bigger visual world around the music. Burton’s frequent composer Danny Elfman is also tied into the sound, suggesting the album will blur the lines between hip-hop and cinematic score. With a star-studded lineup of producers — from Metro Boomin to Pharrell — and a rollout that’s felt more like mystery than marketing, Don’t Be Dumb is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.
٧. Delphine Bellini Takes Schiaparelli to the Classroom
Delphine Bellini, CEO of Maison Schiaparelli, was hosted at Istituto Marangoni Dubai for an In Conversation session focused on leadership, strategy, and the realities of scaling a heritage fashion house today. Drawing from her role in Schiaparelli’s revival since 2014 — including the appointment of creative director Daniel Roseberry — Bellini spoke about balancing legacy with growth, business clarity, and long-term vision in a volatile industry. The talk is part of Marangoni Dubai’s ongoing effort to expose students to high-level industry insight, alongside previous guests from Max Mara, Carolina Herrera and emerging fashion innovators.
٨. Suez Studio Hits London
Egyptian/Iraqi creative label Suez Studio is bringing its signature design to London with a joint pop-up in Shoreditch, teaming up with Medina for a curated showcase of one-of-a-kind pieces and new drops. The event — set for Fri–Sun in April at 11a Kingsland Road, E2 — combines street-meets-heritage aesthetics and exclusive pieces from both brands, underscoring Suez’s ongoing push into the UK market and global cultural circuits.
٩. Air Afrique Taps El Guerrouj for Football x Culture Drop
Moroccan middle-distance legend Hicham El Guerrouj — world record holder in the 1500 m and double Olympic champion — is fronting the latest Air Afrique Football Club Jersey × Nike campaign, presenting the new collaborative kit that celebrates African sporting pride and continental unity. The initiative positions El Guerrouj not just as an icon of track history but as a cultural ambassador connecting athletics, design and pan-African identity through sport and style.
١٠. Cheb Moha sets the tone
On 27 December, Cheb Moha opens the night at Honeycomb Hi-Fi in Dubai, bringing his deep-listening approach to the club’s intimate sound space. Known for uncovering rare recordings from the Middle East and North Africa and weaving them into contemporary electronic and underground textures, his sets move between analog warmth and modern club energy. The night continues with Dar Disku, the London- and Bahrain-based duo and label, whose dancefloor edits and Arab disco selections extend the journey. A curated session for attentive listeners rather than playlist crowds.
١١. Breitling Serves Time in Riyadh
Breitling has opened its first Breitling Kitchen in the Middle East, launching the concept in Riyadh’s Panorama Mall as an extension of its largest regional boutique. One of only three worldwide, the space blends the brand’s industrial-loft aesthetic with an all-day dining concept led by Saudi chef Khaled Alhussaini, whose menu mixes local influences with international staples. More lifestyle hub than restaurant, the opening signals Breitling’s continued push to turn retail into social space — where watches, food and community sit under the same roof.
