Sharjah Heritage Days: Activities begin in Al Dhaid

Locals enjoying arabic tea while sitting in the Traditional Majlis during the Sharjah Heritage Days 2015 at Sharjah Heritage area. Photo by M.Sajjad/Khaleej Times

Sharjah -- Activities of the 13th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days began on Thursday at the Heritage Village of Al Dhaid City, in the presence of Abdul Aziz Al Musallem, Chairman of Sharjah Heritage Institute, and the Former Moroccan Culture Minister.

The launch ceremony was also attended by several guests from abroad Mohammed Sultan bin Huwaidin, Chairman of Al Dhaid Municipal Council, Salem Al Naqbi, Head of the Department of Municipality and Agriculture Affairs, and UAE Nationals and residents from Al Dhaid and the Central District.

“Accompanied by guests and Al Dhaid Municipality Director-General, we toured the Heritage Village where the launch day included art shows, folk dances like Al Razfa, poetry recitals, national songs like “Ounak Ya Watan”, and cooking demonstrations of local Emirati dishes,” said Al Musallem

“A large population of UAE Nationals and residents from Al Dhaid and neighbouring areas attended the activities to enjoy heritage and the culture of diverse environments in the UAE,” he added.

Al Musallem stressed that among its goals, Sharjah Heritage Days aims to educate current and future generations about their legacy, enabling them to explore their history, the customs and traditions of their forefathers, and to contribute more towards acquainting them with the UAE’s national tangible, intangible, and moral heritage.

It also aims to create a generation proud of its cultural originality that can build on its heritage an interact with its reality and future, pointed out Al Musallem.

“Sharjah Heritage Days”, he added, “seeks to introduce the new generation to its heritage so that they can depict values and original customs from the past and shed light on their identity and the values of their civilization, culture and folklore.”

Over the coming days, Sharjah Heritage Days events will be launched in the rest of the cities at the Eastern and Central Districts where Khor Fakkan and Dibba will include a lineup of enjoyable activities eagerly awaited each year by UAE Nationals and residents alike.

In Al Dhaid, the programme at the Heritage Village covers heritage activities, poetry recitals, local folkloric and art shows.

Popular competitions in line with the festival’s theme “ Heritage: The Base of Our Originality”, and a diversity of activities will be held at the village theatre, in addition to the popular market, or Souq, which is expected to attract a large number of visitors.

Al Musallem pointed out that Heritage Village activities in Al Dhaid emphasise its success in becoming the meeting place for the public, families, and visitors from all cities and villages of the Central District.