
We're screaming! Elyanna joins Abu Dhabi F1 line-up
If you thought Elyanna's moment with Coldplay was iconic… you're absolutely right. After stealing the spotlight during their Abu Dhabi show – vocals on point, visuals unforgettable she didn't just perform, she made history.
And now, she's coming back. But this time? It's all her. She's taking the spotlight solo at one of the biggest stages of the year: the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.. And yes, the vibes will be immaculate.
It's a full-circle moment for the Palestinian-Chilean singer, who's been carving her own path from day one.
Elyanna's not your typical pop artist. At just 22, she was the first artist to perform a full set in Arabic at Coachella, blending her unique fusion of Arabic lyrics, Latin rhythms, and dreamy pop energy has carved out a space in global music that feels fresh and deeply rooted at the same time.
Whether it's Ghareeb Alay to the emotional pull of her unreleased tracks, she brings depth, soul, and serious stage presence – and F1 is about to get all of it..
This isn't just another gig – it's a full-on glow-up. She went from sharing the stage with Coldplay to now owning one of the biggest weekends in the region. Elyanna is making it clear: she's not the future of Arabic pop, she's the now.
So if you're heading to F1, don't just go for the race. Go for Elyanna. She's bringing the vocals, the visuals, and the energy. And something tells us this is just the beginning.
Did you know – Elyanna landed a spot on Billboard Arabia's Top 5 female artists?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Elaia Dubai review: Mediterranean dishes with a fun twist, from burrata to baklava
Mediterranean food has long been synonymous with comforting dishes and fresh ingredients brimming with flavour. At Elaia, which opened in Dubai Marina in May, dishes come from all around the Mediterranean region, featuring classics with a subtle twist to create a delicious blend of familiar and novel flavours. The setting Finding the restaurant can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the Pier 7 entrance, which is right past Dubai Marina Mall. You can hand over your car to the valet at the get-off point on the buzzing roundabout or park in the mall and walk over from level one instead. From Pier 7, take a second lift up to the fourth floor and, almost instantly, the atmosphere changes to a dimly lit but lively setting. Hit songs from the 2000s play in the background, while Greek mythology-inspired ornaments set the mood. The restaurant has an expansive view of the twinkling Dubai Marina. As the sun sets over the horizon, the water changes colour and the glimmering buildings melt into the skyline, morphing into something reminiscent of a painting. In the dining room, an air of intimacy is palpable thanks to the low-hanging chandeliers, plus warm lamps placed on every table. The vibe Elaia is Greek for olive tree, an integral element of the Mediterranean region, which is also known for its fresh flavours and sharing-style plates. 'We wanted the menu to reflect the sharing concept because Elaia is a social venue; you come here to share,' says Aleix Garcia, founder of Infini Concepts. 'We wanted to create something that was not just a restaurant, but more of a bistro with quality produce and good service,' he says. Strongly influenced by Greek culture and mythology, the restaurant's interior is replete with large painted murals and golden ornaments. 'We wanted to respect Greek mythology with a bit of creativity and a modern touch,' says Garcia, alluding to the murals hand-painted by Maria Kova, who specialises in abstract art. The food, meanwhile, represents the Spanish, Italian and Greek people working at the restaurant. 'We drew a lot of inspiration from what they actually grew up with,' says head chef Etienne Mieny, 42, who adds that he sources fish, olive oil and a range of other produce straight from the Mediterranean region. 'We just looking to create a homey, family-style environment where people can be themselves and spend time with those they love,' he adds. The menu My dining companion and I start our meal with tzatziki (Dh38), a cold yogurt-based dip that comes with cucumber, dill and a drizzle of Italian olive oil, plus warm pita bread on the side. It's well-balanced but, having tried tzatziki in the Aegean, I found this version lacking the anticipated flavour punch of garlic. Fortunately, the prawns saganaki (Dh62) starter meets expectations. The prawns are laid in a tangy, herby tomato sauce with cheese cubes, and are rich in flavour. If, like me, your spice tolerance is high, you might need to add more chilli to this dish. The Italian-inspired Sorrento salad (Dh78) takes the form of a ball of burrata served on a bed of marinated zucchini ribbons drizzled in balsamic vinegar and topped with mustard seeds. The smooth cheese is cut open and garnished with salt and pepper before being served with basil leaves for a melt-in-the-mouth experience. For the mains, the cornfed baby chicken (Dh155) is a highlight. The chicken is grilled and tender to the bite, marinated in a peppery-umami sauce with caramelised mushrooms, all reduced in non-alcoholic red wine. The beautifully plated grilled octopus tentacle (Dh175) is another winner, sitting on a smooth spread of harissa romesco paste, with crispy roasted potatoes and onions and garnished with salsa. The meat is far from chewy, making for a satisfying experience complimented by the creamy but smoky romesco. It's desserts that take the cake. We have light-as-air tiramisu with a coffee-soaked sponge layer (Dh85), creamy Basque cheesecake with tart berry compote (Dh60) and 'modern baklava', with pistachio-cardamom ice cream coated in white chocolate and sandwiched between crunchy honey filo layers (Dh65). Contact information Elaia is open daily from noon to 2am. Reservations can be made by calling 058 978 1000.


Middle East Eye
7 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
BBC drops film about Gaza doctors after delaying its broadcast for months
The BBC has announced it has dropped a film about doctors working in Gaza after delaying its broadcast for months. The documentary, Gaza: Medics Under Fire, was ready to broadcast in February but was pulled because of a scandal that erupted over another BBC documentary on children in Gaza, entitled How to Survive a Warzone. Britain's public broadcaster said it would broadcast Gaza: Medics Under Fire after the review into the earlier documentary was concluded. But on Friday, the BBC announced it would not air the film. "We have come to the conclusion that broadcasting this material risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC," the broadcaster said in a statement. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Therefore, we are transferring ownership of the film material to Basement Films... Any film broadcast will not be a BBC film." 'No moral or professional reason' Basement Films, the company which produced the documentary, had previously questioned the BBC's decision to delay the broadcast, saying, "there is no moral or professional reason why a mistake in one film should repeatedly prevent the release of another film." In a statement on Friday, Basement Films said: "we would like to thank the Doctors and contributors and survivors, and to apologise for not believing them when they said the BBC would never run a film like this. BBC coverage of Israel's war on Gaza 'systematically biased against Palestinians' Read More » "It turned out they were right." The documentary tells the stories of Palestinian doctors working in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and was made by Oscar-nominated, Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmakers, including Ben de Pear, Karim Shah and Ramita Navai. The BBC did not explain in its statement why the film would not have met "the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC". Basement Films said that the BBC "gave us no less than 6 different release dates" after having "told us several times verbally and by email" that the film "had been approved for broadcast". In May, over 600 prominent figures from the arts and media wrote to the BBC, accusing it of "political censorship" over its delay in screening the documentary. "Although the BBC are now taking their names off this film," Basement Films said, "it will remain theirs, and we hope it serves to open up the debate on how the nation's broadcaster covers what is happening in Gaza."


Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Sharing Emirati identity': Sharjah showcases UAE literature at Rio International Book Fair
Sharjah is participating in the Rio International Book Fair 2025, presenting a range of Emirati and Arab literary works as part of efforts to strengthen cultural exchange with Latin America. The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is showcasing Emirati literature translated into Portuguese and promoting Sharjah's role in the global publishing industry at the Rio International Book Fair 2025. The event, which runs until June 22, coincides with Rio de Janeiro's designation as UNESCO's World Book Capital for 2025 a title previously held by Sharjah in participation comes under the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). Through its pavilion, SBA is presenting works from the UAE and the Arab world, highlighting developments in literature, publishing, and cultural programming. The delegation is also engaging with international publishers, translators, and cultural institutions to explore opportunities for cooperation and translation. SBA CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri said the participation reflects the vision of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who views culture as central to development. 'Sharjah's presence in Rio is about sharing Emirati identity while building stronger connections with Latin American cultural communities,' he said. As part of the book fair's programme, SBA organised a panel titled: " The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement", featuring Emirati authors whose works have been translated into Portuguese. These included Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Lulwah Al Mansouri, and Nasser Al Dhaheri. The session focused on Sharjah's role in supporting authors and encouraging new writing. The fair also featured a book signing ceremony for the translated titles, aimed at promoting Emirati literature to new audiences. SBA used the platform to introduce key cultural and publishing initiatives from the emirate, including the Sharjah International Book Fair, Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. Other programmes highlighted included the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which supports Arab authors and expands their international reach. The Sharjah pavilion also hosted the PublisHer initiative, founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to support women in publishing. A selection of titles from Al Qasimi Publications and works from the Department of Culture were also on display. First held in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair is Brazil's largest literary event, attracting more than 600,000 visitors. Organised by the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL), it serves as a key platform for exchanging ideas and promoting global literary dialogue.