In pictures: Qasr Al Hosn Festival gets under way

Emiratis perform a traditional dance during the festival. Sammy Dallal / The National

Maitha Yaqoob, 10, performs a traditional Emirati dance. Sammy Dallal / The National

The festival opened to select visitors only on Thursday. It will be open for women and children younger than 12 on Friday, then to the general public on Saturday. Sammy Dallal / The National

Thousands had trooped into the historic fort for the start of the 10-day festival as dozens of traditional Yola dancers performed against the setting sun. Sammy Dallal / The National

The main attraction is the Cavalia at Qasr Al Hosn show, which has been adapted for the festival. Sammy Dallal / The National

Fatima Khalfan takes part in the festival, dressed in traditional finery. Sammy Dallal / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, centre, led an impressive, exuberant parade into the walls of Qasr Al Hosn on Thursday to officially launch the festival honouring the birthplace of the capital. Sammy Dallal / The National

There are different workshops available at the festival, among them perfume, incense and doll-making. In another area, volunteers will educate people about traditional dress. At one station, visitors can make jewellery from burqas and burqas from jewellery. Sammy Dallal / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, second right, tours Qasr Al Hosn. With him are Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman, left, Sheikha Salama bint Mohamed bin Hamed bin Tahnoon (second left), and Sheikha Hessa bint Mohamed bin Hamed bin Tahnoon (right). Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, inspects the fort wall. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Participants in a parade from Al Manhal Palace to Qasr Al Hosn Fort. Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, centre, waves to participants during the opening day of the festival. With him are Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman (back second left), Sheikha Salama bint Mohamed bin Hamed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan (third left), and Sheikha Hessa bint Mohamed bin Hamed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan (right). Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan speaks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Rashid Al Mansouri / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

The main attraction of the festival is the Cavalia at Qasr Al Hosn show, which has been adapted for the festival. Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

From left, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi and Executive Council Member, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Sheikh Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, and others tour the Qasr Al Hosn fort. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, fifth left, attends the opening performance of Cavalia with Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, left, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, second left, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, third left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Crown Prince of Ajman (fourth left), Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah (sixth left), Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Ruler of the Western Region (seventh left, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation (eighth left), and others. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, centre, and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan dance during the opening day of the festival. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, led an impressive, exuberant parade into the walls of Qasr Al Hosn to officially launch the festival.