Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi was one of The National's original columnists for its 2008 launch. That same year was also a pivotal one for the wider arts and culture scene in the UAE.

An avid art collector, curator and founder of the Burjeel Art Foundation, Al Qassemi has a comprehensive appreciation for the strides the UAE has made to cement its place in the wider arts world. 

He sat with The National's Melissa Gronlund to share that appreciation.

Music for this episode:  [Deef](http://freemusicarchive.org/music/deef/-), [Chris Zabriskie ](http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chr...)