A crossroads of UAE and world culture at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival

Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival gets under way in the capital with a look at the founding of the nation and a celebration of the multicultural status it enjoys today.

Excitement builds as this year’s Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival gets under way at Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // The UAE as a Crossroads of Civilisation is the central subject at this year’s Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival, which opened in the capital on Thursday.

Emiratis and expatriates flocked to Al Wathba for the event, which celebrates the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, Founding Father, to learn more about local culture. It is one of Abu Dhabi’s most important heritage events, and highlights the role of Sheikh Zayed in preserving the country’s traditions.

Emirati Muna Khalaf, 22, came from Umm Al Quwain with her family to attend because, she said, it was crucial for youth to understand the struggles of their ancestors.

“Such traditional festivals play an important role in lives of youngsters,” said Ms Khalaf.

“They should know how difficult the life our forefathers lived in past so we can enjoy today.”

Older people must also learn about what Sheikh Zayed did for the country, she said.

“I would say he changed the UAE from desert to a modern cosmopolitan country,” said Ms Khalaf.

Entertainment at the festival included fireworks, a musical fountain and traditional dances from Arab and Gulf countries as well as from India, China and Afghanistan.

Children could watch Majid TV cartoons at an open-air theatre, or enjoy camel and horse rides, painting, swings and games.

There was also a marching band and traditional short films about the UAE’s transformation under Sheikh Zayed.

Briton Tim Bernard said he particularly enjoyed the combining of cultures at the festival.

“I loved the Kazakhstan music, Chinese dancing and Arabic traditional songs,” he said.

“It’s a melting pot of cultures, where I have seen many traditions from the UAE and other countries.”

Mr Bernard came with this family, including his nine-year-old son Gunesh, who made traditional badges and bought a cap from the Kazakhstan pavilion.

Ayla, Mr Bernard’s four-year-old daughter, bought a camel toy and enjoyed the dances.

Maryam Essa, a 20-year-old Emirati from Abu Dhabi, said that at the festival she learnt how textiles used to be made.

One woman showed visitors how threads were made from raw cotton, then woven into fabric. “I loved the way the women are teaching others here how they survived in the past in harsh deserts when there was nothing,” said Ms Essa.

Emirati goods and professions were a mainstay of the festival.

A replica fort was the central attraction, but there were displays from other GCC and Arab countries, as well as displays from China, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kazakhstan. About 500 outlets from 17 countries are showcasing traditional products, cuisine, crafts and music.

A shopkeeper from Syria, who gave his name as Abu Shoaib, was making brisk business selling traditional Syrian tamarind juice.

“This is special from Syria and loved by all Arab nationalities,” he said.

“It takes only 15 minutes to prepare it and it’s made of tamarind, sugar and water.”

Ahmed Murad, from Firas Sweets, was selling traditional desserts from Palestine.

His most popular item was kunafa kishna, a cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup.

“I have mostly had customers from Arab countries, with all my sweets being from Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria,” Mr Murad said.

Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority organised a traditional crafts corner, henna, souq, falconry, a photo gallery and traditional performances.

Emirati Umm Mohammed demonstrated how to make flour and yeast from wheat using handmade Arabic stone grinders called rahha.

She placed grain in a hole in the middle of the stone, then rolled it to make flour.

“People don’t know how our forefathers used to make yeast from these stones with their hands,” she said.

“They should learn about the struggle and preserve it.”

The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival runs until January 1, and is open daily from 3pm to 10pm.

It is held under the patronage of President Sheikh Khalifa and is supported by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.