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Over 500 British Pupils 
Visit Falconry Festival

READING (United Kingdom) — More than 500 school children from Britain visited the Abu Dhabi Cultural Village to take part in the Second International Festival of Falconry here.

They took part in activities to learn about the cultures prevalent in 50 participating nations from Europe, Arabia, Central and Southern Asia and 
South America.

The action-packed day gave the children from local primary schools a preview of the festival which takes place a day before the event opens to the public on July 11 and 12 at the Englefield 
Estate.

The initiative to include young people is aimed at increasing the understanding of falconry and its related cultural issues, such as heritage, conservation and respect for the natural environment.

The children, aged between 8 and 10, were from 10 local schools, including St Michael’s Primary School, Lynch Hill School and the Calcot Junior School.

As part of their visit they toured the Abu Dhabi Village, the Medieval Village and viewed the conservation and heritage displays, exhibits and events.

Majid Al Mansouri, executive director, Emirates Falconers’ Club, said: “Education is an essential component of the Emirates Falconers’ Club’s initiative for the preservation of falconry and the introduction of the Schools’ Day provides an ideal opportunity to reach the next generation of potential falconers. We also hope that through falconry they will be inspired by the wonderful cultural displays on offer at the festival.”

The children’s participation in the festival was one of the educational projects for them to exploring foreign traditions, cultures, conservation and history, all of which will be on show at the festival.

Young Falconers’ Corner

During the festival, the Abu Dhabi Village will also feature a Young Falconers’ Corner, where children can learn about centuries-old Bedouin traditions, hear falcon tales around a campfire under the stars, track hidden falcons via radio, solve puzzles, draw a live falcon and walk away with a Young Falconers’ Pack filled with fun activities about falconry.

The festival is hosted by the Hawk Board, the umbrella body for UK falconers, and is supported by the Emirates Falconers’ Club, sponsoring attendance by many nations.

Abu Dhabi is represented by Abu Dhabi Authority For Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Emirates Falconers’ Club, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), Arabian Saluki Centre and Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. —