The Dedication
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
50U is a book about the United Arab Emirates, the UAE. It was published on the occasion of the UAE’s golden jubilee: 50 years ago – December 2, 1971 – the confederation of seven Gulf states was officially declared.
“What started as a conversation amongst family and friends between Dubai and Amsterdam, led us here to the launch of a collection of tales. Our hope for the book is that it honors our past, documents our present, and is used in the future as a tool for cultural exchange. Working across borders, we have created something that demonstrates the UAE’s principles of tolerance and our country’s richly diverse community. The result is a beautifully produced book with immaculate design and creativity; something that is also an important part of the fabric of present-day UAE. We are so delighted to now be able to share ‘50U’ with everyone, everywhere.”
Yasser Bin Khediya, commissioner, founder and CEO of YBK Group
50U tells the story of the UAE in 50 portraits of people, plants and places, painting an intimate picture of life in the Emirates, with the memories and expectations of its inhabitants. Over a period of just fifty years, they have witnessed the transformation of a partly nomadic, partly town-based community into a globally active metropolitan society. Interviews with a former minister, a fisherman, an astronaut, a fashion designer, an AI specialist, a female racing driver, a contemporary artist, a conservation expert, a Japanese baker, a tailor and many more tell first-hand what it is like to grow up in the UAE or to spend better part of one’s life in the region.
An extensive photo essay by Charlie Koolhaas documents the present of ‘where the people are’, while a documentation of plant life shows what an amazing variety of species the desert contains.
352 pages full of surprising content, beautifully designed by Irma Boom Office:
50U waiting for U!
The book is the brainchild of UAE businessman Yasser Bin Khediya, who commissioned Irma Boom to design 50U. Yasser’s vision was to put the spotlight on the individual human stories behind the success and growth of the UAE.
“50U is an incredible addition to books available on the history and development of the UAE. Bringing together the collective experience of citizens and residents, the book skillfully encapsulates the essence of this young and dynamic nation. It's an inspiring journey brought alive with engaging visuals.”
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
“Real stories from real people. A compelling X-ray of the United Arab Emirates as they are, 50-years young, forever evolving, forever defying stereotypes—like nowhere else, yet remarkably familiar.”
Reinier de Graaf, Partner OMA
“This book is a fantastic portrait of the UAE through the eyes of all the visionary people who took part in the process. It's a fascinating archive and testimony — and a beautiful object that comes in handy as the most useful and convenient work tool.”
India Mahdavi, Architect and Designer
The Dedication
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The Draftsman
John Michael Houghton
The Initiator
Yasser Bin Khediya
The Editorial Team
50U
The Analyst
Rem Koolhaas
The Cultural Diplomats
Zaki Nusseibeh & Noura Al Kaabi
The Historian Couple
Frauke Heard-Bey & David Heard
The Sea Expert
Juma Khalifa Bin Thalith
The Conservation Advocate
Maryam Mudhaffar Ahli
The Architect Advisor
Peter Jackson
The Fashion Designer
Fatma Al Fahim
The Urban Development
Satellite Views
The Place-Maker
Dariush Zandi
The Contemporary Observer
Charlie Koolhaas
The Cultural Beacon
Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal
The Art Gallerist
Sunny Rahbar
The Up-and-Coming Artist
Farah Al Qasimi
The Contemporary Artist
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim
The Singer-Songwriter
Hamdan Al Abri
The Folk Poetry Researcher
Rashid Al Mazrouei
The Wisdom
Glossary: Local Proverbs
The Youthful Historian
Rashid Saif Al Amimi
The Literature Leader
Isobel Abulhoul
The Instagrammer
@jumeira2323
The Media Man
Peter Hellyer
The Award-Winning Filmmaker
Abdulla Al Kaabi
The Royal Photographer
Ramesh Shukla
The Power-Map
Pink Tank
The Largest Permanent Work of Art
The Mastaba (Christo & Jeanne-Claude)
The Trade Magnate
Tony Jashanmal
The Herald of Trade
Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla
The Tailor of Dubai
Mohammed Al Madani
The Footwear Entrepreneur
Mohammed Kazim
The Fashion Collector
Reem el Mutwalli
The Photo-Chronicler
Ammar Al Attar
The Japanese Baker
Suhail Al Maktoum
The Cross-Cultural Engineer
Salem Ghanem Al-Marri
The Pioneer of Photojournalism
Eve Arnold
The Local Flora
Plants of the UAE
The Hero of Organic
Khalid Butti Al Shamsi
The Aviation Trailblazer
Mohi Din BinHendi
The Tech Leader
Khalifa Al Qama
The AI Specialist
Yousef Alhammadi
The First Female Minister
Lubna Al Qasimi
The First Female Astronaut
Nora Al Matrooshi
The First Female Racing Driver
Amna Al Qubaisi
The Mars Mission Director
Omran Sharaf
The First Emirati in Space
Hazzaa al-Mansoori
The Future
Lamya Bin Khediya
The Historical Flags
Seven Emirates
352 pages, Softcover with Silver foil
24cm x 17cm x 3cm, full color 300 illustrations
English/Arabic
Commissioner Yasser Bin Khediya
Initial concept Yasser Bin Khediya, Roadha Bin Khediya, Irma Boom
Concept development Ahmed & Rashid bin Shabib, Archis, IBO
Editors Ahmed & Rashid bin Shabib, Anna Seaman, Arjen Oosterman, Francesco Degl’Innocenti, Lilet Breddels, Irma Boom
Project director Khawla Bin Khediya
Managing director Francesco Degl’Innocenti
Editorial assistant Idil Gökgöz
English copy editors David Cross Kane, Ban Kattan
Transcription and translation Lien Sulaiman, Noor Refaie, Awad Mustafa, Asha Sherwood, Dana Alomar
Arabic translation and editing Soul Sisters: Nour Sulaiman, Lien Sulaiman, Lojain Sulaiman, Badiah Ezzi
Arabic page setting Huda AbiFarès
Design Irma Boom assisted by Lulu van Dijck, Jan van der Kleijn
Printer Zwaan Lenoir
Printed and Bound in the Netherlands
ISBN 978 90 77966 921
This publication was generously supported by DP World and A.R.M. Holding