Following previous editions of the exhibition in Paris and Tokyo, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Dubai will offer a different perspective focusing on the dialogue between 19th and 20th-century Western jewelry and Islamic arts, with poetry as the common thread. Exceptional jewels, precious objects, and gouaché drawings depicting birds from the most renowned jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati, Boucheron, Mellerio, Falize, Fabergé, Boivin, Mauboussin, Marchak, Chaumet, and JAR will be showcased alongside a selection of Middle Eastern works of art, notably on loan from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and Dubai Museums including carpets, ceramics, metalware, and miniatures. Emirati artist Faisal Al Rais’s contemporary photography, showcasing the beauty and profound symbolism of birds from the Middle East and around the world, is set to make its public debut. Freely inspired by Farid al-Din Attar’s The Conference of the Birds (circa 1117), the upcoming exhibition will be conceived as a poetic experience beginning with poems from renowned poets from the region, followed by a bejeweled display of bird species including falcons. It will culminate in contemplation of an aviary of imaginary birds by French jeweler Pierre Sterlé (1905–1978). “Birds have long held a sacred place in the cultures of the Middle East — as symbols of freedom, renewal, and the human spirit. With ‘Poetry of Birds’, we wanted to honor that tradition while showcasing how these symbols echo across time and continents through art, poetry, and jewelry. This exhibition is not just about beauty, but about the stories and meanings behind it — how the smallest motif can carry centuries of memory, emotion, and craftsmanship,” said Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, Exhibition Curator, Gemologist and Art Historian, L’ÉCOLE Senior Exhibition Contents Project Manager.

Furthermore, timed to coincide with the region’s leading design festival Dubai Design Week 2025, taking place at d3 from November 4th–9th, the opening of “Poetry of Birds” will be a key cultural moment in the region’s creative calendar. An Open House Day will take place on Saturday, November 8th, inviting the whole community to experience L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s course demonstrations, kids’ workshops, guided tours, and activities. These exciting events will offer an unprecedented opportunity for visitors to explore the intersection of jewelry, art, poetry, calligraphy, and design. “At L’ÉCOLE, we are committed to making the world of jewelry arts accessible to everyone, from curious beginners to passionate collectors,” said Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts. “Through the exhibition ‘Poetry of Birds’ and our vibrant cultural calendar starting with Dubai Design Week, we aim to create an immersive journey with jewelry, contemporary photography, poetry, music, and calligraphy, bringing together Middle Eastern heritage and Western craftsmanship through the shared language of symbolism, artistry, and storytelling. We hope to inspire meaningful encounters and to build a dynamic creative community in the region.” “At d3, we are committed to cultivating a global creative ecosystem where art, design, architecture, and culture converge to inspire new perspectives and creative inspiration. Our strategic partnership with L’ÉCOLE Middle East reflects this mission, with ‘Poetry of Birds’ celebrating the artistry of the world’s finest jewellers alongside the richness of Middle Eastern poetry and calligraphy. Showcasing this exhibition during Dubai Design Week, one of the city’s and region’s most anticipated design events, allows us to share it with a wider audience while further reinforcing Dubai’s role as a global hub for creativity and design,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group. "The exhibition ‘Poetry of Birds’ brings together exceptional works of jewelry, Islamic art, and poetry in a way that resonates deeply with the ethos of Dubai Design Week. By drawing on the knowledge of institutions, the creativity of artists, and the craftsmanship of jewelers, it reveals how enduring symbols can transcend disciplines and cultures. L’ÉCOLE’s presence in Dubai has created a platform that expands access to the jewelry arts while fostering dialogue between heritage and contemporary practice; a contribution that meaningfully enriches this year’s program,” said Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week.