Global Encounters Festival 2025: What it is, why it matters, and what’s new this year

TL;DR

The Global Encounters Festival is a major event where young people from the Ismaili Muslim community come together to share their talents in arts and sports. It’s set in Dubai this year and runs from July 20 to 27, with an opening concert the night before.

This festival is not just about competition or performances; it’s about building friendships, learning from different cultures, and showing what young people can do when they work together. The event includes art exhibitions, music and theatre shows, plus sports tournaments across 18 different games.This festival is unique because it’s a global gathering designed to bring young Ismailis from around the world, more than 50 countries, under one roof.

The idea is to inspire creativity, promote teamwork, and encourage a sense of community.

A Look Back: Why the Festival Matters

The Global Encounters Festival started as a way to connect Ismaili communities worldwide through culture and sports. It’s a space for youth to step into leadership roles and express themselves in safe, supportive settings. This 2025 edition is especially important as it’s the first led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, following the late Aga Khan IV’s leadership.

The festival also reflects a bigger message, about inclusion, sustainability, and respect for the environment. It supports the idea that community events can be fun while also caring for the planet. From tree planting to zero-waste goals, the organizers are serious about keeping things green.

Which Edition Is This?

The 2025 Global Encounters Festival is a first in many ways, it’s the first time Jubilee Arts and Jubilee Games come together as one big global event.Before this, Global Encounters meant youth camps held between 2013 and 2019 in Kenya and India. Those camps focused on leadership, service, and cultural exchange, but they weren’t public festivals like this one. In past years, Jubilee Arts and Jubilee Games happened separately, each spotlighting either the arts or sports. This year, everything joins under one roof. Over 4,000 young artists and athletes from 50+ countries will take part, making it the biggest and most inclusive festival yet.So if you’re wondering how special this event is, it’s the first official combined Global Encounters Festival, bringing together talent, culture, and community like never before.

What Happens at the Festival?

Festival Details You Should Know

What’s New in 2025?

This year’s festival features more sports, bigger cultural workshops, a focus on sustainability with eco-friendly fashion, and online live streams.

For further info, visit the Official Festival Programme Brochure and The Ismaili Community Global Website.

FAQs

A: Young people from the Ismaili community around the world, in arts and sports, are the main participants.

But some events are open to the public as well.

A: Some events require tickets or passes, which you can get online. Others are free or open to the public. Many performances and competitions will also be live-streamed.

A: The organizers focus on green practices like zero waste, tree planting, and encouraging sustainable travel. There’s also a fashion show to raise awareness about climate change.