Make it a week to enjoy the finer things, from art to cuisine

• Last Updated: March 28. 2009 9:30AM UAE / March 28. 2009 5:30AM GMT

Henning Mankell, the Swedish author who gained bestseller stardom with his series of crime novels featuring Inspector Kurt Wallander that has been turned into a television series in the UK, finally confirmed rumours of a 10th thriller in the Wallander series. Announcing his news exclusively to The National, Mankell put to rest speculation that has been swirling around literary circles for years.

“I can now say that my briefcase – not this one with me but the one I have in my hotel room – contains the manuscript for the 10th book in the series,” he said in answer to a query made by The National’s M magazine during the announcement of a short story competition organised by the paper that he judged. “It’s really happening.”

The Pyramid, published in 1999 and thought to be the last book in the series, is a collection of short stories about Wallander’s past, written as a retrospective. Although Mankell did not disclose what the 10th book’s plot will be, we expect it to go in line with the regular theme of shocking murders that need to be solved, above the underlying question of “What went wrong with Swedish society?”

So Wallander fans, rejoice!

Food with a view

The mysterious advertisements in The National over the past few weeks, depicting Marina Mall with the vague statement that fine dining will be taken to new heights, are finally explained with the opening of Tiara.

The new restaurant atop Burj al Marina held its “soft opening” on Thursday, and we headed there eager to sample what was advertised as Mediterranean fusion cuisine. We elbowed through the crowd and took the wood-panelled lift up to the 10th floor, 126 metres above the ground.

Despite the spectacular 360-degree view afforded by the circular, revolving restaurant and the elegantly decorated interior, we never got a chance to sample anything more than the endive salad as a starter. The restaurant had received more guests than anticipated that day and it seemed like the kitchen had run out of food. We were promised some hot shallots and a serving of shark soup, but that never materialised and after two hours of eating bread and enjoying the lights of the capital below us, we decided to head out.

Stephen Corrigan, the head of the food and beverage department at the Silsila development group, did apologise for the slow service and the unfortunate lack of food, citing unexpected surprises as obstacles preventing the opening from running smoothly. “Please come back soon as my special guests,” he said, and we might consider the offer. The shark soup sounds interesting.

A reunion of masters

Pablo Picasso once said of his fellow artist Marc Chagall: “When Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is.” Fifty years on, the two have been reunited in an explosion of colour in Dubai’s Opera Gallery, which has sought out rarely seen pieces from both artists. Picasso & Chagall – The Reconciliation opened in the Dubai International Financial Centre with a crowd of glitterati and sponsors, including the jeweller Cartier. The show continues in Gate Village building three until April 2 from 10am to 8pm from Sunday to Thursday, and noon to 8pm on Saturdays.

Showcasing diversity in art

A medley of pottery, textile work, calligraphy and oil and acrylic paintings in all sizes and styles will be on display on Tuesday at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (Ductac). Mélange will feature the work of 22 of the centre’s art tutors and will be on display until April 12.

Ductac is the first modern, non-profit, cross-community multi-art form creative centre in the region, and offers more than three dozen courses in a variety of media. The exhibition will showcase the range of artistic talent represented by Ductac’s tutors, who hail from countries as diverse as India, Romania, Italy, Belgium, the US, Canada, Lebanon, South Africa, England, Greece and Iran. The exhibition will run at The Gallery of Light, Manu Chabbria Arts Centre, located on level 2 of Mall of the Emirates.

hkhalaf@thenational.ae