The inaugural edition of the Bridging Nations with Interculturality, Inclusivity and SDGs initiative, founded by Madeleine ImKey, delegate and ambassador of the French Academic Society of Arts-Sciences-Lettres, culminated in a celebration of art and advocacy for sustainable development. The competition centred around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saw remarkable talent emerge, with a focus on themes such as quality education and zero hunger.
Held in Oman and generously sponsored by Oxy Oman, the initiative's grand finale took place at the French Embassy in Oman, where the gold and silver medalists were announced. Among the esteemed winners, Emerson Sumaoang and student Khadija Khudadat Al Balushi claimed two gold medals for their depiction of SDG 4, Quality Education. Meanwhile, Fatima Al Busaidi and her student, Zaina Hamoud Al silverWahaibi were awarded two Silver medals for their representation of SDG 2, Zero Hunger.
The ceremony, hosted by French Ambassador Veronique Aulagnon, welcomed Khalid al Muslahi, Undersecretary for Administration and Financial Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, as the Chief Guest. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Aulagnon underscored the crucial role of culture in fostering cooperation and highlighted France's commitment to cultural exchange.
She also emphasized the economic significance of the creative industry, recognizing its potential for driving growth and innovation.
The French Academy recognized the participants' accomplishments by presenting certificates to all the students, acknowledging their valuable contributions to the cultural landscape. The World Health Organization office in Oman joined in the celebration by presenting gifts to all the students, symbolizing a collective endorsement of creativity, education, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The President of the French Academy, Fernand Girard, said, “Our society has been distributing these medals and diplomas for the last 109 years. Other medals and awards will be presented at the Grand Award Ceremony at the Grand Salon Opera in Paris on October 6th. The friendly, cultural, and institutional exchange that has taken place between us qualifies us as responsible inhabitants of our global village.”
The 17 paintings were moved from the French Embassy to Muscat Airport on Thursday, where it hosted the participants and displayed the paintings. The Guest of Honour, HH Sayyida Afra bint Talal Al Said, inaugurated the exhibition with Saud Nasser Said Al Hubaishi, Chief Operations Officer of the Muscat Airport. Salsabeel Badr Al Busaidy, in her opening address on behalf of Oman Airports, said, “This initiative, which embodies the essence of interculturality and inclusivity, has not only brought together diverse communities but has also celebrated the boundless creativity of the children of Oman and our fellow artists.
At Oman Airports, we recognize the importance of fostering an environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity. The "Bridging Nations" project exemplifies our commitment to creating a world where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.”
At the event, the audience was treated to a piano recital by the world-renowned Maestro Alexey Botvinov. Revered as the foremost interpreter of Rachmaninov's works in contemporary times, Botvinov's captivating performance celebrated his mastery of the piano. Botvinov is also renowned for his role in curating the prestigious Odessa Classics festival, drawing thousands of music enthusiasts annually.
Madeleine ImKey explained that the artworks were judged on criteria such as Collaborative Process, Creativity, Technical Skill, and Impact, the quality of the 17 paintings impressed the expert jury, comprising curators, French authorities, and the President of the Academy in person.
“It is notable to observe that both winning teams comprised students from an association for the visually impaired, highlighting the exceptional creativity and capability present within every individual. The jury was particularly impressed by the quality of the artwork, and other teams closely followed in the rankings, demonstrating the high standard of creativity and execution across the board. I now invite all artists, those who participated in the project and all the other artists in search of international recognition from one of the most prestigious art Academies, to contact us and prepare their portfolios within the next month for the academy to assess their work and grant them their appropriate medal,” said Madeleine.
"Wherever there is art, there is peace,” said Emerson, who won the gold medal, adding, “Creating art with Khadija was truly wonderful and unforgettable. She's a bright student, though she struggles with colours. We used her favourite, green, a lot. I let her explore different materials to make the process enjoyable. The ideas in the painting were all hers; I just helped put them together. She is independent and knows what she wants.
Khadija drew a home, a tree, a cat, and a cat house, all from her dreams. She even taught me some Arabic words. She shared stories about a talking bird at home, which inspired our main subject. Understanding each child's nature is crucial; they are all unique. Learning should be fun and tailored to them.”
Emerson had his own unique experience, “Because Khadija has trouble with colours and eyesight, we used more textures. We experimented with shells, feathers, wood, Legos, and fishbones. I enjoyed the process as much as she did. I gave her a shell with her portrait and the bird; she loved it. The next day, she surprised me with a portrait of myself, touching my heart. When she said she wanted to paint together again, it melted my heart. Khadija is a wonderful soul, and I'm thankful for this experience.”
Fatima al Busaidy expressed her thoughts in sign language on how much she enjoyed the process of interpreting Sustainable Development Goal 2 with Zaina Hamoud Al Wahaibi. Sustainable Goal 2 is about creating a world with no hunger by the year 2030.
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