• Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • A handler prepares a camel to race during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    A handler prepares a camel to race during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • A handler prepares a camel to race during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    A handler prepares a camel to race during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • Robotic jockeys control camels during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    Robotic jockeys control camels during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • A camel controlled by a robotic jockey stumbles and falls during a race as part of the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    A camel controlled by a robotic jockey stumbles and falls during a race as part of the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • Robotic jockeys control camels during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    Robotic jockeys control camels during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
  • Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP
    Jockeys compete in a race for purebred Arab horses during the Liwa 2019 Moreeb Dune Festival in the Liwa desert. AFP

Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival 2019 gets under way - in pictures


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The week-long Moreeb Dune Festival has returned to the Liwa desert near Abu Dhabi's border with Saudi Arabia, bringing with it the usual mix of traditional activities and modern motorsport action.

The early camel and horse racing pictured above will be followed by falconry competitions and a host of car and bike events.

The festival, which takes place once a year, attracts visitors from around the region, many of whom camp out for the activities.

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