ABU DHABI // It may be only two years old, but already it has become a tradition.
National leaders, sheikhs and hundreds of other Emiratis, dressed in gleaming traditional kanduras, marched in procession from Al Manhal Palace to Qasr Al Hosn on Wednesday as Abu Dhabi’s historic palace fort welcomed the first visitors to its annual festival.
The procession was led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The distinguished guests were treated to traditional dance and music performances, while traders served an array of food and market stallholders sold their wares.
Randa Haidar, a member of the organising team, said a recording booth had been installed where guests were being encouraged to give their views on how best to restore the 250-year-old Qasr Al Hosn, which is undergoing major renovation work.
“The third edition of the festival kicked off earlier in the day with the parade in which the Royal family paid tribute to the fort that used to be their home,” Ms Haidar said.
“There are many new programmes at the festival this year. There are new stories to tell every year and access to different areas as the renovation work continues.
“The idea is to involve people in the conservation effort. People can give their feedback. Instead of one major stage, we have three central places – the festival stage, cultural foundation centre and the desert zone.”
She said more than 100,000 visitors were expected to attend the festival over the next 10 days.
“This year we have introduced the notion of modern heritage of Abu Dhabi through an exhibition. The Cultural Foundation building itself is a landmark as earlier all the cultural activities would take place here,” Ms Haidar said.
Workshops were full as children and adults learnt everything from making traditional toys, pottery, Sadu, a traditional form of weaving and Telli, a form of traditional Emirati embroidery. Children were made toy cars and used palm branches and cardboard to make hobby horses.
“The Cultural Foundation building is significant in Abu Dhabi as all cultural activities ranging from piano lessons to exhibitions were held here in the past,” said Fatima Ghazal, a workshop officer at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
“This place has an emotional bond with the people of the emirate. It is the first cultural place in Abu Dhabi and we are trying to bring back the memories by conducting the workshops. We are trying to make things in the way people used to in the past.”
The visitors included many young families and the children were drawn to the section where horses, camels and even the houbara bird are housed. Many queued up to get a taste of traditional Emirati dishes that were being handed out at a stall.
“I have lived here for seven years and have come to the festival before. However, this year we are interested in showing our children the camels and horses. They want to see the animals,” said Menna Mohammed, an Egyptian.
Susan, an Australian who has been living in the capital for three years, said: “I am waiting to see the men perform the traditional Emirati dance with the sticks.
“I am very interested in Arab culture. I hope to return on other days as well. I have walked around and the displays are very detailed. This is a great opportunity to go into the fort.”
Traditional poetry, music, adaptations of a popular television show and sand art are a part of this year’s festival.
Visitors can also learn more about cultural activities such as making coffee, cooking or storytelling and there are also activities for children and handicrafts sessions.
The festival runs until February 21.
arizvi@thenational.ae
