Abu Dhabi Maritime Festival 2023 - in pictures

  • A reenactment of the traditional fishing journey at the Maritime Heritage Festival along Abu Dhabi's Corniche. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A reenactment of the traditional fishing journey at the Maritime Heritage Festival along Abu Dhabi's Corniche. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Now in its second year, the event features a recreated traditional shoreline community, complete with a series of immersive experiences and workshops, bringing historic crafts and traditions to life
    Now in its second year, the event features a recreated traditional shoreline community, complete with a series of immersive experiences and workshops, bringing historic crafts and traditions to life
  • Organised by DCT Abu Dhabi, the festival is split into several areas, including the Fishing Village, Trading Village, Heritage Guardians and the Promenade
    Organised by DCT Abu Dhabi, the festival is split into several areas, including the Fishing Village, Trading Village, Heritage Guardians and the Promenade
  • The festival offers a glimpse into life in a traditional UAE coastal community
    The festival offers a glimpse into life in a traditional UAE coastal community
  • Visitors can watch a traditional fish auction reenactment, before picking out their own fresh fish and having it cooked with salt and spices
    Visitors can watch a traditional fish auction reenactment, before picking out their own fresh fish and having it cooked with salt and spices
  • The fishermen's journey continues
    The fishermen's journey continues
  • A group of girls perform the Ayyala dance to send off sailors heading out to sea
    A group of girls perform the Ayyala dance to send off sailors heading out to sea
  • A woman applies henna
    A woman applies henna
  • Vendors and stalls feature a variety of Emirati crafts
    Vendors and stalls feature a variety of Emirati crafts
  • A man demonstrates traditional sail-making methods
    A man demonstrates traditional sail-making methods
  • Sea shells on display at the Bin Made Society
    Sea shells on display at the Bin Made Society
  • Visitors browse the stalls
    Visitors browse the stalls
  • A look inside the women's Aajfa (hair design) tent
    A look inside the women's Aajfa (hair design) tent
  • An Emirati makes traditional fishing nets
    An Emirati makes traditional fishing nets
  • An artisan creates a deyeen, a netted basket made of rope or thread, which pearl divers used to haul up oysters from the sea bed
    An artisan creates a deyeen, a netted basket made of rope or thread, which pearl divers used to haul up oysters from the sea bed
  • A man sits beside a goat pen
    A man sits beside a goat pen
  • The programme also features a wide array of other experiences, from traditional rowing races and dhow parades to children's workshops and oyster opening demonstrations
    The programme also features a wide array of other experiences, from traditional rowing races and dhow parades to children's workshops and oyster opening demonstrations
  • An Emirati rope maker demonstrates his skills
    An Emirati rope maker demonstrates his skills
  • The event runs until February 26
    The event runs until February 26