100 Years of Leica –
the Event in Dubai

We kicked off our anniversary celebrations to honour the Leica I in the truly innovative city of Dubai. Under the title “100 years of Leica: Witness to a century”, we kicked off an anniversary year full of highlights with an illustrious event, a spectacular illumination, an impressive exhibition and an exclusive book publication.

Just as the Burj Khalifa skyscraper stands out in terms of its architecture at 828 metres high, the Leica I also represented an important milestone for photography back in 1925. We used the world’s tallest building in the centre of Dubai, which is constantly breaking new records, as a projection surface for a unique illumination. We honoured our Leica I, which was visionary in its own time, with a spectacular light show reaching dizzying heights and told our fascinating story, for which quality and innovation are still key pillars today.

As part of an illustrious event, invited guests experienced an extraordinary programme at the glamorous Dubai Opera on 22 January 2025. Renowned speakers, including Andreas and Karin Kaufmann, gave inspiring speeches during a glittering evening event. One of the highlights was the launch of the Leica M11 anniversary edition “Leica M11 100 YEARS OF LEICA”. The presentation also marked the start of sales for the “Dubai” design version, which is limited to 100 units and is only available in Dubai.

Of course, we enabled the guests at our event to be inspired by our unique illumination projected onto the Burj Khalifa skyscraper by organising a live broadcast. Afterwards, the focus was on culinary delights and socialising with like-minded people during the gala dinner. The gourmet dinner was acoustically accompanied by a performance by opera singer Bettina Schweiger and qanun player Bella Papikyan. A true feast for all the senses!

Even more than the cameras themselves, the images they produce characterise our contemporary history. We honour exceptional photographers with an exclusive exhibition of 100 iconic images that have left a lasting legacy over the last century. We present historical photographs that documented key moments in time, all produced using a Leica, at the Foundry by Emaar in Downtown Dubai from 22 to 26 January 2025. 

With the book “Dubai: Light, Lens and Legacy – Celebrating a Century of Leica”, we honour the city of Dubai. This is a dynamic city that has developed dramatically through progress and innovation, but has remained true to its essence. Five Emirati photographers have captured Dubai’s past and present, as well as their deep connection to their homeland, from their own personal perspectives. These are revealed in 100 pictures that say more than 1,000 words.