ABU DHABI // This year’s Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival will run from November 19 to December 12, the organisers announced on Monday.
The event, to be held in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, will have some new features, they said.
“We want to focus on our past, our heritage, we want to make sure that we can convey the story of the UAE and our identity, this is what we are aiming to achieve this year,” said Humaid Al Neyadi, deputy director of the festival organising committee.
In collaboration with the National Archives, the festival will dedicate an entire wing to showcase the history of the UAE.
The Memories of a Nation Wing will show documentaries, picture galleries and will have an area paying tribute to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.
There will be quotes from the former President, guiding participants on matters of development, education, agriculture, women and heritage.
“The wing will be dedicated to telling to the story of how the UAE was formed, which of course was guided by the wisdom of Sheikh Zayed,” Abdulla Al Muhairi, member of the festival organising committee and director general of the UAE Camel Racing Association, said.
He said that in addition to the new wing, the festival will have the usual fanfare, including daily events based on falconry, camel racing, auctioneering and heritage.
Organisers expect a bigger turnout than last year’s footfall of more than 20,000 visitors.
“It is part of our strategic plan to keep growing the festival, to attract not only UAE nationals, but residents and even tourists to give them a better picture of the Emirati heritage,” said Mr Al Neyadi.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae