UAE blowers bring a touch of glass to Abu Dhabi Heritage Village - in pictures

The art form is environmentally sustainable and appreciated by a new generation in the UAE

Local artisans conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Emirati craftsman Noor Ahmad is busy in his workshop in Abu Dhabi's Heritage Villlage. Victor Besa/The National

Glass blowing is environmentally sustainable and is being appreciated by a new generation in the UAE Victor Besa/The National Section: NA Reporter:

In Abu Dhabi's Heritage Village, local craftsmen conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Victor Besa/The National 

Local artisans conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Emirati craftsman Noor Ahmad is busy in his workshop in Abu Dhabi's Heritage Villlage. Victor Besa/The National

Local artisans conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Emirati craftsman Noor Ahmad is busy in his workshop in Abu Dhabi's Heritage Villlage. Victor Besa/The National

Glass blowing can be used to create various ornaments ranging from art works to glass cups, bows and fashion apparel. Victor Besa/The National 

Local artisans conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Emirati craftsman Noor Ahmad is busy in his workshop in Abu Dhabi's Heritage Villlage. Victor Besa/The National

In Abu Dhabi's Heritage Village, local craftsmen conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. Victor Besa/The National 

Glass blowing involves exposing the glass to over 1,000 degrees centigrade before blowing to them in a desired shape

Abu Dhabi's Heritage Village is a tourist hot-spot that provides an insight into an Abu Dhabi far different than its modern skyscrapers. Victor Besa/The National   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, July 23, 2019. VB: Photo project at the Heritage Village, Corniche. Local craftsworkers conduct workshops in traditional metalwork, pottery, glass blowing and Arabic cloak making. -- Noor Ahmad-47, Arabic glass blowing artist busy in his workshop at Heritage Villlage. Section: NA Reporter:

Abu Dhabi’s Heritage village is a must go for culture lovers.

Located on the Corniche Breakwater, and a few minutes walk away from Marina Mall, the tourist hot-spot provides us an insight into an Abu Dhabi far different than its present skyscrapers.

As well as its in house souq, vintage mosque, spice shops and various displays showcasing a pre-modernised Abu Dhabi, the heritage centre is also home to number of Emirati artisans.

Working without heavy machinery, these artists make the most of the material at their disposal to create evocative pieces of such as pottery and fabric designs.

A popular stop in the heritage village is the artisans skilled in the practice of glass blowing.

It is an environmentally friendly practice that transforms unwanted glass - from discarded bottles, jars to windowpanes - into eye-catching ornaments.

This is achieved by first melting the glass in a furnace at over 1,000 degrees centigrade before blowing to them in a desired shape.

Glass blowing is gaining popularity by a new generation in the UAE. Over the years, the country hosted various workshops on the practice and exhibitions by masters such as  French glass-blower extraordinaire Jean-Claude Novaro.

Speaking to The National back in 2012, Novaro explained that his acclaim derived from his unique working method.

"I use my protected hands to shape the molten glass, which is different than cooling and shaping the glass on a marver, for example," he said.

"Instead of this, I use wet newspapers to guide and form the glass. The coolness of wet papers absorbs the heat of the glass and allows me to shape it, creating my own art form."

To learn more about glass blowing, check out the local experts at work at Abu Dhabi's Heritage. The venue is open daily from 9am to 4pm, except Friday when doors open from 3.30pm to 9pm. For details go to www.torath.ae