News
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort launches artist in residence programme with Cambodia-based artist FONKi
The endless blue horizon, sun-kissed shores and kaleidoscopic underwater world at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort sparked a creative awakening for Cambodian-based artist, FONKi as the adult-only resort hosts its first Artist in Residence.
Born in Paris to Khmer refugee parents and raised in Montreal, FONKi is a dynamic artist renowned for blending contemporary street art with traditional Cambodian influences. He is also the curator and owner of FT Gallery in Phnom Penh and the founder of Murals for Cambodia Festival, fostering local talents and elevating Phnom Penh as a thriving art hub in Southeast Asia.
As an avid comic book and graphic novel fan, FONKi started his artistic journey in graffiti at age 15. “I remember in school, I would volunteer to do murals around the school grounds in hopes of getting the funds to buy the best spray paints to practice and get better,” FONKi reminisces.
A turning point in his artistic approach happened in 2012, when then a film student FONKi embarked on the making of an award-winning documentary ‘The Roots Remain’, which follows his journey back to Cambodia to paint a mural honouring his relatives killed in the genocide. This experience led to an immersion in his heritage and the discovery of an artistic renaissance happening in post-genocide Cambodia.
From walls to canvas, FONKi has produced over a hundred creative projects, including murals admired across America, Europe and Asia. At Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, he transformed the guest lounge into his creative space for a week, where he created an exclusive artwork titled ‘Enlightenment’ as a tribute to ancient Maldivian relics and nature. The artwork is part of a diptych inspired by a 10th-century Buddha statue made of coral stone, excavated in Thodoo Island in North Ari Atoll.
Statues have been a significant subject in FONKi’s body of work, he regards them as opening doors to the complex history and culture of the place. “Statues are testimony to time. I resonate with the story of the artifact that even destroyed, its energy still endures, and I wanted to represent that,” explained FONKi.
Titled ‘Enlightenment’, one side of the painting features half of the statue’s face, while the other captures the vibrant hues of the coral reefs, expressed in a burst of colours and fluid lines inspired by the lively underwater ecosystem.
“I’ve filtered my experience here in paradise and translated the colours into my piece. During my time here, I learned about the sustainable practices to rehabilitate the coral reefs, and in some ways, the artwork talks about the revival of nature to its true form after it’s been destroyed.”
“It’s been six years since I last painted for myself. In terms of art therapy, I’m more relaxed here and it’s influenced by the brush strokes, colour choices, movement, and it all feels organic. I was able to explore a watercolour effect in my piece and created a scene like that of a dreamscape,” he reflects.
Committed to paying it forward, full proceeds from the sale of ‘Enlightenment’ will benefit the Granny Programme of the Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF), a non-profit organisation that provides education, safe housing and care to vulnerable communities. The support towards the Granny Programme is a continuation of his previous project, ‘Apsara Grannies’, where he collaborated with photographer, Raphaël Pech and fellow artist, TONES, featuring a mural of the grannies dressed in traditional Apsara attire. This was commissioned by the Royal Government of Cambodia last New Year.
In addition to his original masterpiece, FONKi also featured his limited-edition art prints ‘Behind The Smile’ and ‘King Creator’ from a triptych series he created in 2019 based on King Jayavaraman VII one of the powerful monarchs of the Khmer empire, whose serene face is seen around Bayon Temple in Angkor. During the residency, guests not only had the opportunity to witness FONKi’s creative process up close, but they also collaborated with him by embellishing the prints with their personal touch before bringing the limited edition prints home.
FONKi’s exhibition is open to view from today until 31 December at Anantara Veli. The Artist in Residence programme of Anantara Veli Maldives Resort adds another artistic dimension to the adults-only hideaway, gathering talents around the world to express their creativity and channel inspiration in a surreal setting.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has officially launched the second annual Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026, with the main race set to take place on 18 September 2026 as part of a wider World Wellness Weekend programme from 17 to 20 September 2026 on the natural island of Dhonakulhi in Haa Alifu Atoll. The event brings together destination running, wellness, fitness, and island-inspired lifestyle experiences in one of the Maldives’ most scenic luxury resort settings.
The official partnership signing and launch ceremony, held at Muraka Maalam, Maagiri Hotel in Malé, brought together key event partners to formalise their commitment to the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026. The event featured the official unveiling of the branding theme, event logo, launch video, and running jersey, all inspired by Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s lush tropical vegetation, natural island landscape, and Flora & Fauna. Guests were also introduced to the scenic race routes, designed to highlight the resort’s pristine beaches, island pathways, and tranquil surroundings. The race route spans three distinct terrains: North point beach, island trails, and the Deluxe Water Villa jetty.
The initiative is endorsed by Visit Maldives and delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner, with race consultation, registration, timing, and bib services powered by TFG Races. Maldivian joins as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner, and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner. This partnership reflects continued collaboration between tourism, aviation, media, sports, and lifestyle stakeholders in supporting wellness tourism in the Maldives.
The Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026 will feature a 10K Challenge and a 5K Fun Run, welcoming both experienced runners and recreational participants. The 5K route will cover one lap of the resort’s scenic course, while the 10K will complete two laps. Participants will receive a race timing bib powered by TFG Races, a partner goodie bag, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories.
Beyond the race itself, the World Wellness Weekend programme will offer a curated series of activities including shakeout runs, stretching sessions, fitness clinics, group workouts, sunrise and sunset yoga, aqua yoga, sound bath experiences by Naga Healing, wellness experiences, and evening entertainment. The programme has been designed to balance movement, recovery, connection, and celebration throughout the event period.
“Following the success of the historic inaugural edition in 2025, we are delighted to launch the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in 2026,” said Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels. “With the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the support of our partners, this event reflects the growing opportunity to position the Maldives as a destination for luxury wellness, sports, and active travel. Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives.”
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Managing Director and CEO of Visit Maldives, Ibrahim Shiuree, highlighted the significance of events such as the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in inspiring greater participation in sports tourism and diversifying demand for visiting Maldives as well. He emphasised that initiatives of this nature play an important role in positioning the Maldives not only as one of the world’s leading luxury holiday destinations, but also as an emerging destination for sports, wellness, and active travel. He commended the work behind the event and highlighted the value of continuing such experiences to strengthen the Maldives’ competitiveness in the global travel market.
The event is open to international guests and Maldivian residents, with dedicated participation packages available for participants booking directly with the resort. Packages include a stay at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, meal plan benefits, transfer arrangements, and access to selected resort experiences during the event period.
Registration is free. The official TFG Races registration page will be available soon, while participants may reserve their slots in advance by contacting Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa reservations.
For packages, registration, and event details, please click here for the official brochure.
The vibrant music festival held at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives on the 19th of this month was successfully concluded, marking its second consecutive year in collaboration with Alliance Française de Male’. The event once again delivered a dynamic celebration of music, culture, and international artistic exchange.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s festival featured a carefully curated lineup of three bands and two solo artists, creating a high-energy fusion of local and international talent that captivated audiences throughout the evening. The collaboration between Hard Rock Cafe Maldives and Alliance Française continued to strengthen cultural ties through music, offering a platform where local talent could perform alongside international artists in a shared creative space.
The lineup included:
- Equatic Vibe (Maldives)—full band
- SkyRock (Maldives)—full band
- Funk Island (Sri Lanka)—featured international highlight band
- Dr. Tatsuya Daniel (USA)—solo keyboard artist
- Katherine (Sri Lanka)—solo expat keyboard artist
This year’s edition was further strengthened through important cultural sponsorships and institutional support, which played a key role in bringing together an internationally diverse lineup. The featured international band Funk Island (Sri Lanka) was sponsored by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while Dr Tatsuya Daniel (USA) was supported by the United States Embassy in the Maldives, reinforcing the role of cultural diplomacy in enabling artistic exchange.
The festival also forms part of the global spirit inspired by La Fête de la Musique (World Music Day), an annual celebration that originated in France in 1982. Created to encourage both amateur and professional musicians to perform freely in public spaces, the initiative promotes the idea of “music everywhere, for everyone.” Held annually on 21 June, it has since grown into a worldwide movement celebrated in more than 120 countries, uniting people through the universal language of music.
“Music remains one of the most powerful tools for cultural connection. This partnership with Hard Rock Cafe Maldives allows us to bring French and international artistic influences closer to the Maldivian audience while celebrating local creativity. We are proud to see this festival grow into a much-anticipated annual event,” said Beblai Gabin, Director at Alliance Française de Male’.
“Hosting this festival for the second consecutive year is a testament to the strong collaboration we have built with Alliance Française and the incredible support from our community. Bringing together local bands with international artists creates an unmatched energy that truly defines the Hard Rock Cafe spirit,” said Frederic Lebegue.
Guests were treated to an immersive live music experience, with performances spanning multiple genres and styles, delivering the signature high-energy atmosphere that the festival has become known for. The seamless blend of local and international acts reinforced the event’s reputation as a standout cultural highlight in Malé’s annual calendar.
Organisers expressed their appreciation for the continued partnership and strong audience turnout, noting that the success of the second edition sets a strong foundation for future expansions of the festival.
The evening concluded on a celebratory note, with enthusiastic feedback from attendees underscoring the festival’s growing popularity and its role in promoting music-driven cultural exchange in the Maldives
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa has been recognised by Wine Spectator with the 2026 Award of Excellence for all three of its dining venues: Oak Lounge Wine Cellar, Bodumas and Latitude 5.5.
The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards recognise restaurants whose wine lists offer quality selections that complement their cuisine while meeting high standards for accuracy and presentation.The Award of Excellence is presented to restaurants whose wine lists feature at least 75 selections and provide guests with a well-balanced choice of producers, styles and price points.
Under the direction of Head Sommelier Sasho Petereski, the resort’s wine programme spans approximately more than 300 labels across the three restaurants. Each wine list has been carefully developed to complement the individual dining concept of each venue, while all wines are maintained in temperature-controlled storage to preserve their quality and character. The selections range from well-known international producers to rare vintages, offering choices for both casual wine enthusiasts and experienced collectors.
Each restaurant presents a distinct dining experience. Latitude 5.5 pairs Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with an extensive wine selection, Bodumas specialises in Japanese-inspired cuisine complemented by wines from renowned wine regions, while Oak Lounge WineCellar focuses on curated wine experiences, including wine pairing dinners.
Receiving the Award of Excellence for all three restaurants highlights the resort’s commitment to maintaining internationally recognised standards in wine selection, storage and food pairing, while providing guests with wine lists that complement the unique character of each dining venue.
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