In the Middle Eastern culture, birds play a key role and are among the main sources of inspiration in poetry and arts. Organized by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Dubai and held in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), the exhibition “Poetry of Birds” displays over one hundred and fifty exceptional creations from over twenty lenders, demonstrating the cross-cultural celebration and the universal symbolism of birds in jewelry, literature, and the arts.
Running until April 25th, 2026, the exhibition showcases an immersive presentation, enabling the discovery of the fascinating world of birds around history, design, craftsmanship, gems and the arts, with a focus on local relevance in Middle East culture. It demonstrates an interchange between birds and various means of expressions depicted through jewels, drawings, antiquities and artifacts; illustrating these universal symbols of beauty, transformation, and transcendence, and how birds have inspired creativity and heritage across centuries.
Freely inspired by Farid al-Din Attar’s The Conference of the Birds (circa 1117), this exhibition is conceived as a poetic experience that culminates in contemplation of an aviary of imaginary birds by French jeweler Pierre Sterlé (1905-1978).
Exceptional jewelry alongside precious objects and gouache drawings from the most renowned jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati, Falize, Fabergé, Boivin, Marchak, JAR and more, are presented along with a selection of Middle Eastern works of art – notably on loan from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilizations, Dubai Museums and private collectors such as Emirati Film Director Abdullah Al Kaabi – including carpets, ceramics, metalware and calligraphy.
A selection of contemporary photographs from Emirati photographer Faisal Alrais, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty and depth of meanings in birds’ representations in the Middle East and around the world.
The exhibition’s scenography immerses visitors in a sensory experience deconstructing the essence of colors as a bird takes flight, from brown to green and blue. The exhibition opens with a poem by the poet and author Mahmoud Darwish (19412008), highlighting the spiritual dimension of birds, and unfolds in four sequences. It starts with a conversation of birds, allusion to The Conference of Birds written around 1117 by the Persian mystic poet Farid al-Din Attar (1145-1190/1229), telling the spiritual journey of the birds to Simorgh, the mythical bird, through bird jewels and Middle Eastern works of art. In the second part, jewels are classified by bird species and categories (migrating species, gallinaceous, peacock, birds of paradise, parrots & parrakeets, owls, falcons and birds of prey), focusing on their signification and symbolism. The third part is dedicated to feathers as symbols of spirituality and representations of power. The final part showcases an aviary of imaginary birds brooches by Pierre Sterlé (1905-1978), to conclude this poetic and symbolic journey into the heart of beauty.
Throughout its six-month duration, a cultural program designed around the exhibition will encourage dialogue and discovery for all audiences. This includes talks, guided tours, and themed workshops exploring the exhibition’s multidisciplinary approach, from the literary elegance of Arabic verse to the intricate craftsmanship of gems and jewelry.
In addition to the exhibition, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts offers a rich program of jewelry courses, offering a deeper understanding of the jewelry arts across three pillars: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoirfaire of jewelry-making techniques. These courses are open to all, from beginners to enthusiasts and support
L’ÉCOLE’s mission to share the art of jewelry with a wider audience. L’ÉCOLE Middle East is proud to continue its partnership with Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organization. All proceeds from the public courses and talks are donated to support its youth education programs, underscoring the school’s commitment to social responsibility and youth empowerment.
“Poetry of Birds” is now open to the public and will run until April 25th, 2026. Admission is free and visitors are encouraged to register in advance through L’ÉCOLE’s website.
