Russian circus to wow crowds att Sharjah Water Festival begins

Around 200,000 people are expected to attend the annual family festival in Al Majaz Park.

Performers on stage in the play "Sinbad" during the opening night of the Sharjah Water Festival.

SHARJAH // The sixth annual Sharjah Water Festival kicked off at Al Majaz Park yesterday.

The 10-day celebration has become one of the main events in the emirate's tourism calendar.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to attend this year - an increase from last year's 180,000 visitors.

"With successful events and activities like the water festival and the Sharjah Light Festival, Sharjah is positioned as a tourism destination for families locally, regionally and internationally," said Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation.

Topping the bill of entertainment this year is a show about Sinbad the Sailor, children's puppeteers from Poland and Italy and the acclaimed Russian Circus on Water.

The latter features high-flying acrobats performing daring stunts, pitched as a spectacular display of fire and water.

"We have been making efforts to make the Sharjah Water Festival more exciting and interesting by bringing performances and shows by internationally acclaimed artists and professionals," said Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.