A Decade of Beauty Shows at the UAE Borders of Empty Quarters Desert

UAE: The world's biggest festival of Bedouin traditions returns next week to the gates of the Vacant Quarter desert in the Western Region (Al Gharbia) of Abu Dhabi Emirate. From 13th to 29th December 2016, over 20,000 of Arabian Gulf's many attractive camels will be roaming the grounds of Al Dhafra Festival, competing for the most "mazainah" (beautiful) title.

Organised by the Cultural Program and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Festival is a celebration of Bedouin heritage, hence the hundreds of visitors expected daily will experience shows and competitions that touch on all four pillars of desert culture - camels, falconry, saluki and dates.

"Since the launch of Al Dhafra Festival in 2008 in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia, under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Royal prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Festival has obtained a prestigious regional and worldwide setting on the schedule of heritage celebrations," stated His Excellency Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Committee and Chairman of the Greater Organising Committee of the festival.

"The Festival has in fact stood out at the promotion of authentic Emirati heritage and the support of its safeguard and protection. For many years, Al Dhafra has handled to transform Al Gharbia right into one of the top vacationer destinations on the planet, with marketing the region, and the details of its culture, authenticity, and the traditions of the Emirati individuals," he included.

As it commemorates its 10th anniversary this year, Al Dhafra Festival features several new "firsts" amongst its 16 heritage activities. These consist of a saluki beauty contest, running along with the saluki race competitors, and a falcon beauty show, where Al Marzoum typical searching grounds will participate for the first time with its very own falcons.

Additionally in the program this year is the conventional souk market with 200 shops selling products and inventions showing the Emirati culture and customs, dates product packaging competitions, Arabian horse race, handicrafts competitions and camel milk contest. A special area is devoted to children, a play ground packed with swings and games from the age of Emirati forefathers.

"Al Dhafra Festival reflects the importance of camels, falcons, salukis, steeds and dates in the UAE society and heritage. A decade ago we inaugurated it as the greatest Bedouin festival on the planet and it continues to be so today," stated Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Director of the Communications Division of the Committee.

"For this 10th edition, the Board has actually prepared the framework and the facilities to welcome countless visitors, as with this new version we have enhanced and raised the festival's tasks to bring in more visitors," he included.

The Committee had additionally signed an arrangement with the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (ADCO) to complete the 2nd phase of the permanent souk, which will currently extend the total area of the market to 48,000 square meters.
The souk is located near the main Camel Mazainah competitors field and beside the website where most various other Festival tasks will certainly happen, making it simpler for vacationers, site visitors and even individuals to attend more occasions.
"In the previous years we held Baynounah Camel Festival, for UAE camel owners, one week prior to Al Dhafra. From this year, we are combining the two events, so we are expecting around 2,000 camel owners from across GCC nations and around 20,000 camels to camp right here over the 15 days occasion. There will certainly be around 1,200 rewards with an overall worth of over AED 35 million," said Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Director of Heritage Competitions at the Committee.

Inning accordance with Mohammed bin Adhed Al Muhairi, Director of Camel Beauty Competitors at Al Dhafra Festival, the camel competitors are opened up to all GCC proprietors, however there will be a number of unique ones devoted to Emirati owners.
"We will certainly have 84 competitions for camel mazainah, consisting of 18 for Emirati camel proprietors just and 4 for camel milk competitions," mentioned Al Muhairi.