Qasr Al Hosn Festival to house four themes on Emirati culture and tradition

Visitors to Qasr Al Hosn festival will get a taste of traditional Emirati culture. Sammy Dallal / The National

ABU DHABI // Four “experience areas” based on Abu Dhabi landscapes will anchor this year’s Qasr Al Hosn Festival.

The areas, set up in the grounds of of the ancient palace fort, display different aspects of Emirati history and culture through performances, activities and workshops hosted by a mix of paid and volunteer staff.

The areas’ themes will be Abu Dhabi Island and the Fort, Desert, Marine and Oasis.

The Abu Dhabi Island and the Fort area includes sessions for children on archaeological digs and artefacts. One section simulates a traditional Emirati school, with games and horse riding near by.

A beit al zahba, or wedding house, features performers preparing for a traditional wedding with dancing, music and costumes. Among the workshops in this section are incense making and henna, and demonstrations on local cuisine by Emirati chefs.

One of those chefs is Musabbeh Al Kaabi, who will teach cooking workshops on the first two days of the 10-day event.

Mr Al Kaabi, an executive chef who has competed in international chef shows, is looking forward to teaching others new techniques and how to cook Emirati dishes.

“We’ll make it fun. The reason why we do this is to try to engage people with the UAE culture,” he said.

There are three workshops a day that cost Dh50, though visitors can also watch free. New chefs will be introduced throughout the festival.

The workshop area features woven dishes and baskets made of palm trees that would have been used in the past, and Mr Al Kaabi hopes to educate people about the realities Emiratis used to face.

“A long time ago, there were very few options” in terms of food, he said.

“Everything in here has a story.”

Bedouin desert life is featured in the Desert area, which includes coffee and butter making, food tasting and saddle making. Also featured is Al Yowla, a traditional Emirati dance for men, and traditional Bedouin etiquette.

Elsewhere, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi will have a display for the houbara bustard, educating visitors about efforts to conserve the bird species.

Saluki dogs, falconry and camels will also be displayed. Workshops in this area include kandura dyeing, burqa making, palm weaving, coffee making and henna and incense preparation.

Fishing and pearling are showcased in the Marine area, where shasha building, paddle making, sail making, dhow building, fishnet making, fish-trap making and fish salting will be demonstrated.

Visitors can also learn about oyster opening and pearling through an exhibit.

Marine workshops will cover fish net and trap making.

In the Oasis area, the environment agency has collaborated with festival organisers to set up a healing garden to educate visitors about medicinal plants and herbal remedies. Palm weaving, tree climbing and rope making are displayed here, in addition to goats and turtles.

Traditional handcrafts, clothing, toys and pottery will also be displayed, as well as an Emirati coffee area.

Salama Al Qubaisi, 21, from the General Women’s Union, said she was happy to work with other women staffing the spices and herbal remedies area. She and the other volunteers pointed to herbs such as thyme, used to treat coughs, and spices such as black cumin, believed to have antibiotic properties.

Ms Al Qubaisi, from Abu Dhabi, is learning from the other volunteers. “It’s a very nice thing to be with the older women. I’m fixing this, and they’re saying, ‘No, cover this’ or ‘No, do this’,” she said.

“I’m loving it.”