![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCKUVEATVVEG5D5S5TOXH3NGLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d915e209f6073f27375f6a2e12ee717ebdbc066ec455c6b2ec21ce226db720a&width=400&height=225)
Plenty of visitors joined the inaugural event
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RSJISMWTIRFYLLKIDRUS4WB4DE.jpg?smart=true&auth=47a8b0c07dc25ec8e1f7de7acbf9f1d8414124e13bfa6e8e7ae5bf3ec7e0f94d&width=400&height=225)
Roger Tessa Gambassi from France and his wife Nilza from Colombia join the Hudayriyat International Kite Festival 2024 in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBGCCVYKZRFXNM5EIGZQSQEAGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ec84165da5dcbeb791859f0c3d4d0dd5d14833fdd6cd90ff09dc81743c044533&width=400&height=225)
Various kite designs can be seen taking to the skies over Marsana Beach
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E6AEJ33ZC5EYBOJFCEX27GNZZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9803fe0e6d2a78b7bc46d1473c0922f51193b5e5b87c4d7fb36ce341484fcb2&width=400&height=225)
The three-day event is free to attend
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/23GEBPYP5REFPP7DQQIDZNAE74.jpg?smart=true&auth=8293384114739b443976818e7d822a6829d05779fdf59744e5810878bb40fe04&width=400&height=225)
Samuel Michel Roger from France with his wife Laura Mastromauro from Italy perform synchronised kite-flying at the festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DM5WSERIOFCUNJBU77NMM4NGDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=8bcfe0f3e0428a17e194901a88ca7a306137a7242bb15448ec0fc0b59476b8e8&width=400&height=225)
Flyers and visitors had a whale of a time
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JGWHPVCS6ZEUPLGTDWA63WWJDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b945474c497f4e714163d28242bdfb1eabf906f0364af4a46c227f48742e9309&width=400&height=225)
In addition to kite-flying, there are also kite-making and decoration workshops
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BFOPCAJXQJCUVIZQPKOTI262J4.jpg?smart=true&auth=79116610c0c232c9fb1fe352ef7c6f73c90ba4e454915a9c1c14b8432ab32bc9&width=400&height=225)
Animal kites take to the skies over Marsana Beach
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7KHGGNPIRCBRCON22AEW5WEUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7aaf8020a77925e175231a95bf2cb5efba72c6f149c5d3af8b00febaf101681&width=400&height=225)
Jim Martin from the US at the festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PENIRG36DNF53M2TB457F2J4KY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba14ceeee907bcd28991aa00136f72d12850fdd5d149cf120e9f77e70f5173a3&width=400&height=225)
Colourful fish kites
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCKUVEATVVEG5D5S5TOXH3NGLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d915e209f6073f27375f6a2e12ee717ebdbc066ec455c6b2ec21ce226db720a&width=400&height=225)
Plenty of visitors joined the inaugural event
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RSJISMWTIRFYLLKIDRUS4WB4DE.jpg?smart=true&auth=47a8b0c07dc25ec8e1f7de7acbf9f1d8414124e13bfa6e8e7ae5bf3ec7e0f94d&width=400&height=225)
Roger Tessa Gambassi from France and his wife Nilza from Colombia join the Hudayriyat International Kite Festival 2024 in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBGCCVYKZRFXNM5EIGZQSQEAGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ec84165da5dcbeb791859f0c3d4d0dd5d14833fdd6cd90ff09dc81743c044533&width=400&height=225)
Various kite designs can be seen taking to the skies over Marsana Beach
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E6AEJ33ZC5EYBOJFCEX27GNZZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9803fe0e6d2a78b7bc46d1473c0922f51193b5e5b87c4d7fb36ce341484fcb2&width=400&height=225)
The three-day event is free to attend
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/23GEBPYP5REFPP7DQQIDZNAE74.jpg?smart=true&auth=8293384114739b443976818e7d822a6829d05779fdf59744e5810878bb40fe04&width=400&height=225)
Samuel Michel Roger from France with his wife Laura Mastromauro from Italy perform synchronised kite-flying at the festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DM5WSERIOFCUNJBU77NMM4NGDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=8bcfe0f3e0428a17e194901a88ca7a306137a7242bb15448ec0fc0b59476b8e8&width=400&height=225)
Flyers and visitors had a whale of a time
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JGWHPVCS6ZEUPLGTDWA63WWJDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b945474c497f4e714163d28242bdfb1eabf906f0364af4a46c227f48742e9309&width=400&height=225)
In addition to kite-flying, there are also kite-making and decoration workshops
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BFOPCAJXQJCUVIZQPKOTI262J4.jpg?smart=true&auth=79116610c0c232c9fb1fe352ef7c6f73c90ba4e454915a9c1c14b8432ab32bc9&width=400&height=225)
Animal kites take to the skies over Marsana Beach
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7KHGGNPIRCBRCON22AEW5WEUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7aaf8020a77925e175231a95bf2cb5efba72c6f149c5d3af8b00febaf101681&width=400&height=225)
Jim Martin from the US at the festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PENIRG36DNF53M2TB457F2J4KY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba14ceeee907bcd28991aa00136f72d12850fdd5d149cf120e9f77e70f5173a3&width=400&height=225)
Colourful fish kites
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CCKUVEATVVEG5D5S5TOXH3NGLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4d915e209f6073f27375f6a2e12ee717ebdbc066ec455c6b2ec21ce226db720a&width=400&height=225)
Plenty of visitors joined the inaugural event
Hudayriyat kite festival takes flight in Abu Dhabi
Flyers from around the world descend on capital for three-day showcase
![Evelyn Lau](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F326930c8-426e-4292-8915-488062faf4ec.png?smart=true&auth=bf65363a4ec5524d4fde02fe884073b2948f09e3aaac804a1077fa41b77f1ecb&width=70&height=70)
Evelyn Lau
20 January, 2024
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic