Crowned in Heritage: When the Tantour Meets the Pearl… and the Story is Told

MERAAT Hosts a Cultural Experience Redefining Heritage Between Lebanon and the UAE Through Fashion

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates —

In an exceptional evening where fashion transformed into a language of memory and a living narrative of identity, MERAAT presented one of its flagship cultural experiences titled “Crowned in Heritage: From Cedar Peaks to Pearl Horizons.” The event brought together two deeply symbolic heritage icons—the Lebanese Tantour and the Gulf pearl—within a contemporary cultural dialogue that redefines the meaning of heritage and builds a living cultural bridge between Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

The event was held within a cultural environment inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, may God protect him, whose leadership continues to place culture and humanity at the heart of building bridges between nations and strengthening values of dialogue, coexistence, and mutual understanding.

The showcase unfolded as an immersive sensory journey rather than a conventional fashion presentation, where scenography, symbolism, and craftsmanship merged seamlessly. Guests were invited into a world where identity becomes memory narrated rather than ornament worn—where mountains meet the sea, and two narratives intersect: one rising proudly above the head, and another born in the depths.

At the heart of this experience, designer Joe Shalita, the guardian of Lebanese fashion memory, presented a contemporary reading of heritage through garments that function as a living archive of identity. His work transforms fashion into a cultural discourse that reconnects past and present while preserving authenticity and emotional depth.

Shalita said:

“For me, fashion is a visible memory. Lebanese elegance existed long before fashion became an industry, and it deserves to be part of the global design heritage. Fashion is one of the most intimate forms of storytelling, and my mission is to preserve this legacy and share it with the world.”

This vision was further enriched by Al Fardan Jewellery, whose pearls added a profound symbolic dimension—turning the encounter between the Tantour and the pearl into a dialogue between land and sea, and a reflection of unity beyond geographical origins.

Mrs. Hanadi Al Solh, President of MERAAT Cultural Platform, stated:

“MERAAT is not merely a platform; it is a cultural space dedicated to re-reading heritage through art, memory, and humanity. We do not bring cultures together to display them, but to reveal the shared space between them—one built on memory, people, and meaning. Between Lebanon and the UAE, there is more than geography; there is a story that comes alive when given a unified voice.”

She further emphasized that this event reflects MERAAT’s mission to transform culture into a living space of encounter, where heritage is not presented as a static image but as an ongoing responsibility of reinterpretation and revival.

The event was attended by distinguished diplomatic and cultural figures, led by the Ambassador of Lebanon, alongside several ambassadors, cultural leaders, media representatives, and creatives—reflecting the importance of cultural initiatives in fostering dialogue and strengthening human connection between nations.

Through this initiative, MERAAT continues to affirm its role as a cultural platform that redefines heritage as a living space of convergence, transforming culture into a bridge that connects communities while renewing memory and extending meaning into the present.

Event Details:

Title: “Crowned in Heritage: From Cedar Peaks to Pearl Horizons”

Presented by: MERAAT Cultural Platform

Venue: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

Date: April 30, 2026

Media Inquiries & Information:

Hana El Sammak Kurdi

+971504251559