Tourism

Al Ain citys renovated Souq Al Qattara is set to throw open its doors to an eight-month traditional market initiative aiming to encourage local families to preserve, promote and produce the traditional handicrafts of Emirati heritage from October 22.

Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the Souq Al Qattara Cultural Season in Al Ain city will run until 30 May 2016.
Souq Al Qattara complements TCA Abu Dhabis leading role in nurturing traditional crafts and industries and in underlining the importance of the sector in the lives of Emirati families, said Saeed Hamad Al Kaabi, Head of Traditional Handicrafts and Products at TCA Abu Dhabi.

The Souqs Cultural Season has gained strong response from the public over the past two years for the traditional products with a modern touch that are showcased, and creates job opportunities for artisans while giving the UAE visitors a glimpse of this important element of UAE heritage added Al Kaabi.
The Souq Al Qattara Cultural Season will be highlighted by an impressive array of cultural and heritage activities such as live performances of folkloric arts like Al Harbiyah and Al Yola dances that will appeal to all age groups throughout its run. The visitor experience will be further enriched through activities at the adjacent Al Qattara Arts Centre.

Central to the souqs weekend opening is the Traditional Handicrafts Market - a modern Friday market which provides a platform for handmade products - which includes thirty stalls built in traditional, authentic palm lattice structures which reflect each crafts atmosphere.

Visitors can shop for traditional grocery items and savour traditional Arabic coffee at a coffee shop modelled as in yesteryears evoking a sense of nostalgia and an extensive array of traditional handicraft products such as Al Khos and Al Sadu will be available throughout the souqs 18 shops. The Souq will also be stocked with traditional mens and womens attire, houseware, camping and falconry equipment and visitors can experience artisan presentations of traditional handicraft making such as pot and rope making.

The Souq Al Qattara Cultural Season is organised to stimulate innovation and creativity in the traditional handicrafts industry and to strengthen the marketing of their products to a wider audience. At the event, visitors can also meet the traditional artisans, who will explain the intricacies of their handicraft and how they are infusing innovative approaches to reflect modernity without losing the essence of tradition.

The souqs 2015-16 season gives the families involved in handicrafts a strong platform to present their wares to a larger audience who will also be entertained by the cultural activities, can participate in seminars on UAEs heritage and archaeological sites in Al Ain and join a number of childrens activities including painting and photography exhibitions, added Al Kaabi.

TCA Abu Dhabi opened Al Qattara Art Centre as part of its efforts to develop the historical oasis of Qattara and to create art community spaces, maintaining the sites authentic aspects during restoration to strike a balance between tradition and modernity.

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