A rare opportunity to watch and actively engage with some of the most exciting and innovative films to emerge from the region in the past four decades, especially those by female directors. – James Neil, curator

Shahadat is a new monthly online series designed to provide a platform for experimentation and promotion of short form writing on the web.  These stories, vignettes, reflections and chronicles, written by young or underexposed writers from the Middle East and North Africa, are published here  in translation and the original.

This month: Pomp and the Province By Murat Uyurkulak

ArteEast is proud to feature its first Turkish literary piece: "Pomp and the Province," a short story by critically acclaimed writer Murat Uyurkulak. His first novel Tol was widely celebrated, and his second, Har established his voice and a new direction in contemporary Turkish literature. Uyurkulak's short piece "Pomp and the Province" featured in Shahadat's March issue offers an innovative yet profoundly rooted meditation on the relationship between urban and rural Turkey, narrated in his eccentric but engrossing style. The story is accompanied by an insightful interview conducted by Aslı Dadak and Hazal Halavut for ArteEast, which opens a door into the work and mind of one of Turkey's most exciting contemporary literary figures. Translations by Suna Kafadar.

Dubai and, more recently, Abu Dhabi have become the locus of art with a thriving interest for making and supporting the arts in all forms. From critical essays addressing the booming art scene and economy by Emily Doherty and Christopher Brown to new galleries, biennials and university art programs, this issue offers a multi-dimensional look into the increasingly vibrant and dominant arena of cultural life in the Emirates.  The issue further features a selection of artworks by Emirati artists such as Lamya Hussain Gargash, Ebtisam Abdul Aziz, Amna Al Zaabi, as well as a sampling of inspiring works created by art and literature students at Emirati universities, offering a peek into what is new and happening in these expanding cultural capitals of the Middle East.

Kirsten Scheid and Jessica Winegar introduce the work of Louay Kayyali, a Syrian artist whose work was well-known in Syria during his life-time but was little known beyond Syria, perhaps due to his socialist commitment and lyrical figurative style. His posthumous entry to the auction market has not been accompanied by awareness of his goals in using modernism. This exhibition provides translations of Louay's own reflections on his work as well as paintings representing the array of his formal interests and approaches.