Al Dhafra Festival attracts over 90,000 25,000
al gharbia — Diverse and impressive traditional events at the 10th edition of Al Dhafra Festival have attracted over 90,000 visitors including diplomats and VIP guests, the organisers announced.
The two-week cultural and heritage event held in the Western Region aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the region as a whole. Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Al Dhafra Festival also targeted preserving the Emirati popular heritage.
Since it was launched, the festival has gained a prestigious regional and international position on the calendar of heritage festivals. The growing success has come thanks to the unlimited support and great trust to organise this unique heritage event which came to contribute to the revival of the authentic Arab heritage,” said Major-General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.
The festival has blended the rich past of the UAE with its glorious future through a variety of heritage competitions and promoted the local camels participated in various competitions held as part of the festival heritage and culture and efforts aimed at safeguarding national treasures. “The festival has contributed to place the Western Region’s culture and heritage in the world tourism map,” he added.
Over 14,000 participants from the UAE and GCC countries contested in 16 heritage competitions at a total cash prize Dh35 million. The Camel Mazayna (camel beauty contest), the main competition of the festival, has witnessed stiff competition of more than 2,000 camel owners. More than 25,000 camels in the categories of Aayel (golden-red camel breed, originally from Oman) and Majahim (the black camel of Saudi Arabia) competed in 84 laps.
This year’s edition also included the heritage camel race, the Arab heritage saluki race, falcon hunting competition, Mahaleb competition, sour milk competition, purebred Arabian horse race, best dates mazayna competition, dates packaging competition and handicrafts competition. —