Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2014 will begin on November 20 in a brand new format that incorporates history, heritage and technology, the festival’s Higher Organising Committee announced today (Tuesday).
In a bid to turn this cultural 22-day event into an international one, the Festival will include historical facts that will be revealed for the first time by the National Archives.
Meanwhile, the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian and Special Needs (ZHO) also announced that it has dedicated 150 souqs where traditional items will be made by Emirati women. Guests will have a chance to assist in the creation of these items and learn how they are made. The ZHO will also purchase some of the products and distribute them to guests.
“Although this year a number of our neighbouring GCC countries will be participating, we are hoping to include more of our Arab and regional friends too in the future. Additionally, we have cooperated with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) who have kindly asked fellow UAE farmers to keep some of their produce on display for purchase,” said Humaid Al Neyadi, Vice-Chairman of the festival’s Higher Organising Committee.
The festival is being described as a live exhibition that will enable guests to interact with the event’s many features.
“We are also highlighting the achievements and interests of Shaikh Zayed. The festival includes Shaikh Zayed’s gallery and horses … especially Radban, Shaikh Zayed’s first mare that was the subject of many stories and poems,” Al Neyadi added.
A museum dedicated to the famous Emirati poet Majidi Bin Daher and navigator Ahmad Bin Majid are some of the festival’s attractions this year. An exact replica of the 500-year-old Al Bidiyah mosque will also be on display for visitors to learn more about it.
The event will be divided into four key sections, namely, the desert, the oasis, the sea and the mountains. Guests will be able to learn about different facets of the UAE heritage in different ways.
The Department of Transport has designated 30 buses that will take residents to and from the event in addition to a number of taxis with reduced tariffs. The time-tables for these buses will be announced at a later date.
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