Entertainment

Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi organises the 9th edition of Al Dhafra Festival. Held in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia (The Western Region) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the new edition will run from the 7th to the 30th of December, 2015.

The Festival, which has turned into a major regional and international event, is inspired in its form and content by the authentic Bedouin spirit. It features up to 15 heritage activities and competitions, with a total value of prizes that exceeds AED 50 million, namely: the Baynounah Camel Mazayna, Al Dhafra Camel Mazayna (Asayel and Majahim), the Heritage Camel Race, the Camel Milking Competition (Mahaleb), the Purebred Arabian Horse Race, Falcon Competitions, the Arab Heritage Saluki Race, the Photography Competition, the Dates Mazayna (Best Dates Competition), the Dates Packaging Competition, the Traditional Market, the Childrens Village, the Sour Milk Competition, and the Sheep Mazayna (Sheep Beauty Contest).

Al Dhafra Festival has managed to promote the authentic Emirati heritage and reinforce the valuable efforts made to ensure its safeguard and protection. Over the years, the Festival has contributed to the promotion of Al Gharbia on the map of international tourism, through introducing the region, the details of its culture and authenticity, and the different traditions of the Emirati people, said His Excellency Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi.

Al Mazrouei noted that the Festival has succeeded in acquiring a distinguished status, owing to the generous support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (May God protect him). He hailed the considerable attention that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan accords to the various efforts made to ensure the safeguard and protection of the Emirati heritage. Al Mazrouei also commended the constant follow-up of the Festival and its development strategy by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, noting that the activities of Al Dhafra are essential to safeguard the national identity and protect the local heritage.

Since the launch of the 1st edition in April 2008, under the directives of the wise leadership, Al Dhafra Camel Beauty Contest has developed into the largest and most comprehensive Mazayna of its kind. The success was made possible by means of a generous support and a substantial confidence. The Committee continues to make valuable efforts as it strives to develop the event and diversify the activities while taking into consideration the suggestions and opinions of visitors and participants.

Al Gharbia is intensifying its preparations for this major cultural and economic event that will be held in Madinat Zayed. Tales of ancient history, civilisation and modernity are awaiting visitors who will experience a unique harmony between the authenticity of the past and the excellence of the present, Al Mazrouei said.

Al Dhafra Camel Beauty Contest has succeeded in reinforcing its position and credibility. Over the years, the Mazayna categories, laps and prizes have developed, with the number of participating camels rising to reach over 25,000. Only camel owners from the Arab Gulf region are allowed to participate in the Mazayna, which has been described by international media outlets as the biggest camel gathering in history.

In the 2015 edition, the Higher Organising Committee has agreed to organise the Baynounah Camel Mazayna as part of the activities of Al Dhafra Festival. Hence the event will kick off with the exclusive participation of Emirati camel owners in the Baynounah event. Later, during the Festival, Al Dhafra Camel Mazayna will be organised, with the participation of camel owners from the GCC states.

This year, the Organising Committee has made a number of required changes in the laps of Mazayna in order to achieve further development for the competition. The Committee is also providing essential services for participants, and their camels so as to offer equal opportunities for all.

Under the directives of the wise leadership, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has made big and confident strides as well as significant achievements in the protection of the authentic Emirati heritage. Abu Dhabi remains keen on engaging in cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise with the different world cultures, said Mr. Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Director of Projects Management at the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee and Member of the Higher Organising Committee.

Al Dhafra Festival has become a perfect platform to promote the history of the UAE and the whole region while revealing the unprecedented progress that the country has witnessed, Al Qubaisi added.

The support of the wise leadership has significantly contributed to the success of the Festival and its rise to international fame, he said, hailing the important role of the different state bodies and institutions that have provided the required support to help the Festival achieve its objectives of heritage safeguard and protection.

The media echoes, in 15 languages, are a source of pride for Madinat Zayed and the Festival organisers. Al Dhafra has significantly succeeded in turning the Emirati heritage into a rich material for local, Arab and international media outlets. Over the years, this unique event has managed to promote thousands of traditions and customs of the Emirati people, Al Qubaisi said.

The 9th edition is expected to be the largest since the inauguration of Al Dhafra in Festival in 2008. The Mazayna is also expected to attract the highest number of participations in 103 laps: 37 laps at the Baynounah Camel Mazayna, and 66 laps at Al Dhafra Camel Mazayna.

In its 8th edition, the Festival witnessed the participation of more than 1,500 camel owners, with about 25,000 camels. The total value of the prizes was over AED 50 million. 1,045 participants won at the various competitions, including 656 winners in the 77 laps of Al Dhafra Camel Mazayna for local Asayel and Majahim.

The number of Mazayna laps reached 72 in the 7th edition of 2013, 70 in the 6th edition of 2012, 56 in the 5th edition of 2011 and 42 in the 4th edition of 2010.

The recent adjustments of the laps at the new edition serve the Festival objectives to protect the purebred camel categories, promote the Bedouin culture, encourage camel owners, and accommodate the increasing participation.

Notes to the Editor:

Inspired by the words of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God bless his soul): "He who has no past has no present, Abu Dhabi organises the annual activities of Al Dhafra Festival. The strategy and the objectives of the event serve the protection of the local cultural heritage so as to ensure its transmission to future generations.

Extracts from international media coverage:

CNN: Al Dhafra Camel Festival is a celebration of the ancient bond between humans and the 'ships of the desert', which have traditionally provided Bedouins with food, clothing and transportation (...) The festival is an important auction market for purebred camels, and as well as commanding high prices, award-winning specimens can confer immense prestige on their owners.

The Boston Globe: "The UAE has chosen to build a cultural response to the risks of globalisation based on its heritage and culture of moderation." The newspaper noted that the heritage events of Abu Dhabi are not just simple competitions, but rather a result of a lucid consideration and strategy.

The BBC Radio and Television Network: "Camel is an essential pillar of the Emirati culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi. Thousands of camels participate in Al Dhafra Festival in the largest gathering ever. Everyone wants to be No. 1 because winning entails pride, prestige and originality. Again, camels are back as a symbol of wealth and authenticity, along with horses and falcons."

The British Sky News Network: "Winning is not about money, even though the value of prizes can reach millions of pounds. Winning is a source of pride for the people of the region and participants."

Agence France-Presse: "The festival is an international cultural and heritage event that attracts all: poetry competitions, photography and date packaging." More importantly, AFP has published dozens of photographs that were taken by professional photographers during the festival. One of the festival photographs was selected as one of the 10 most beautiful photographs from among 12,000 photographs from all over the world.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti: "A large turnout in an event that has defied the global economic recession."

German Press Agency DPA: "Abu Dhabi organises the festival in order to preserve the cultural heritage of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and promote the authentic Bedouin culture."

Chinese News Agency (Xinhua): "The rising value of deals reflects the seriousness of the participants about having the best and most beautiful camels."

• Tags
• #Business
• #Magazine
• #Lifestyle