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Cultural richness of falconry on display

Abu Dhabi - The festival, considered to be the largest gathering of falconers from across the world - more than 700 falconers and experts from over 90 countries - was inaugurated at Al Ramah desert, between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

All things falcons, including the cultural richness of the ancient sport of falconry, its history, breeding and conservation, are on display at the International Festival of Falconry that has opened for the public at the Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi. 
The festival, considered to be the largest gathering of falconers from across the world - more than 700 falconers and experts from over 90 countries - was inaugurated at Al Ramah desert, between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
The festival, organised by the Emirates Falconers Club, moved to Khalifa Park on Friday, and will continue till 9pm on Saturday. 
The two-day public event is a family fiesta with an array of fun-filled activities, exhibitions, art and craft and falcon shows that will entice visitors as much as it educates them. 
Children can look forward to as many as 30 activities, which will familiarise them with the birds of prey, their breeding and the sport itself.
"It is the coolest thing I have done," five-year-old Adnan squealed in delight as he moulded clay to make a falcon hood at a children's workshop. There are also workshops to teach children how to hold the birds of prey, and how to protect the environment to preserve falconry. 
One of the biggest attractions is the 'Falconry Display' - a unique exhibition that will take visitors through an enjoyable and unique journey through the history of the International Festival of Falconry since 1976, as well as through an exhibition of rare photographs taken by the lenses of those who witnessed the falconry from close quarters.
At the arena, daily falcon shows promise to be a crowd-puller with Al Ain Zoo displaying several varieties of falcons in their tent for 'Sheltering Birds of Prey.'
Local organisations that play a leading role in preserving falconry also make their presence felt.
On display at the pavilion of Emirates Falconers Club are Arabian saluki dogs. "When you talk about falconry, salukis are indispensable to the sport. They have always accompanied falconers during the hunting, and are as important as the birds of prey," said an official. 
The Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School offers visitors, the opportunity to learn how to deal with falcons, train them on standing on their perch, and to be familiar with the different kinds of falconry equipment and how to use them. Visitors who are interested in falconry will also have the opportunity to join the school, which is the first specialised one in the world that teaches Arabian Falconry, tracking and desert studies.
Strolling through the country pavilions is a unique experience with falconers from countries like China, Poland, Germany, Uzbekistan, Slovakia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to mention a few, displaying falconry traditions and history of the sport unique to their country.
The pavilion of International Falconry School offers visitors a glimpse into the conservation of this international heritage and the most important tools and accessories used by various countries while hunting with birds of prey.
Andrea Villa of the IAF Young Falconers group in Italy said: "This festival is a unique opportunity for all countries to promote falconry and preserve this centuries-old tradition. "One of the biggest challenges is to keep this tradition alive, and Abu Dhabi is playing the lead in this direction. In many European countries, Falconry is not preserved through families as a tradition, rather it thrives on individual interest. Our club is trying to revive the interest in falconry among the youth and educate them," Villa added.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com