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Emirati traditions and handicrafts take centre stage

Abu Dhabi - The festival features a traditional market offering numerous Emirati items.

The third edition of the National Traditional Handicrafts Festival opened in Souq Al Qattara, Al Ain city, on Wednesday evening.
The festival, held under the patronage of Shaikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative of the Eastern Region, was opened by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority director general Saif Saeed Ghobash.
Ghobash said: "As part of TCA Abu Dhabi's many endeavours in the preservation of heritage, this festival is a testament to the cultural heritage law passed by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aimed at safeguarding and protection of tangible and intangible heritage. This festival celebrates symbols of everyday life in the simplest yet most intricate elements of Emirati culture and heritage. It brings familiarity and sense of community, not only through the cultural manifestation and traditional products, but also through the documentation on invaluable wealth of knowledge and skills that are passed down from one generation to the other."
The festival, running till November 11, offers an opportunity to explore some traditional techniques that were used in making fabrics and textiles, such as traditional form of weaving - Sadu, which was inscribed on Unesco's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.
The festival features a traditional market offering numerous Emirati products including traditional clothing, perfumes, incense, aromatic spices and herbs, traditional gold jewellery, henna, sweets and Emirati cuisine.
It also includes falconry displays, craftsmen presentations, student tours and art workshops.
Live traditional performances and variety of educational activities and cultural programmes make the festival more enjoyable.
- ashwani@khaleejtimes.com