Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
The annual Al Hosn Festival returned on Friday with a packed 10-day programme taking place from January 19 to 28 at Al Hosn site in Abu Dhabi. Set across Al Hosn’s historic buildings and outdoor areas, the event will showcase the best of Abu Dhabi’s heritage as well as the beams of its creativity.
The festival is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT), and offers an exciting array of activities for visitors and guests of all ages with a programme full of cultural, artistic and entertainment events, including interactive workshops and traditional activities, in addition to live cultural and musical performances.
Heritage Zone
In this zone, visitors can take a firsthand look at camels and the traditions which surround them, witness the cultural practice of welcoming a new baby to Al Hosn, and explore a traditional souk.
“I am so happy to be here. Now I know more about Abu Dhabi’s history and traditions. Last year I could not be here because I went back home to visit my family, but this year, I made sure to come and be here. I like everything the festival offers, the food, the music, and all activities,’’ said Noha Henawi, an expat living in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammad Hamadi, a regular visitor to Al Hosn Festival, said that this year the festival offers various activities that get all visitors engaged and involved.
“I am a regular visitor to Al Hosn Festival. I come every year with my wife and kids to see the activities of the festival. This year the Heritage Zone offers many things I can’t count that engaged us all, even my kids found new things about our heritage and traditions. I am very glad that Al Hosn Festival is showcasing our traditions and history in this beautiful way,’’ he added.
Craft Zone
Visitors can immerse here with the culture of henna and enjoy a bespoke space that expresses the design of an Emirati home, bringing together antiques sellers, designers and new studios from across the UAE.
Mariam Al Hameli, a shop owner for UAE’s spices at the Craft Zone, told Aletihad that Al Hosn festival is like an annual tradition for her, as she takes part in every year and shows her home-made spices to the festival’s visitors.
“Al Hosn Festival is my annual tradition, as I come here to show all visitors our UAE’s spices and tell them about our traditions in making these spices. We learnt this craft from our mothers and ancestors, and we will pass it to the next generations.
“I feel really happy here, as I meet new people from different countries and I tell them more about the traditions of the UAE, namely Abu Dhabi. People have to know that we have a unique culture and we are very proud of it,’’ she added.
Community Zone
Surrounded by the spirit of today’s Abu Dhabi in the Community Zone, visitors can experience more captivating live performances and boutique retailers than ever, then replenish with culinary delights – from mashakeek to knafeh – cooked up by local chefs joining the festival for the first time.
The Zone celebrates the multi-dimensionality of culture in Abu Dhabi, this area invites visitors into fresh experiences of music, cuisine, and retail. This showcase of a creative community reveals the best of the UAE today, and in the years to come.
“The music here with local cuisine is the best! I was passing by with my husband and I saw the signs of Al Hosn Festival, and we said ‘let’s go and explore’. We are on a holiday in Abu Dhabi for a week, and I am glad we came to this festival as we now know more about Abu Dhabi’s history and traditions,’’ said Heather Bryant, a British tourist.
These various activities are accompanied by the Falconry Exhibition, which was opened in the lobby of Qasr Al Hosn to continue the celebration of the important historical and cultural legacy of falconry and its place in the UAE’s heritage.
The festival also offers live demonstrations of Emirati craftsmanship and artisanal techniques at House of Artisans, where they can also participate in creative workshops and witness competitions highlighting Emirati cultural excellence.
Similarly, the Cultural Foundation is once again set to offer an engaging and thought-provoking programme of art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, interactive installations and workshops.
The festival aligns with the vision and mandate of DCT Abu Dhabi to protect, preserve and promote the emirate’s heritage, showcase Abu Dhabi as a cultural destination and provide a platform for artistic experimentation and public engagement.
“Al Hosn Festival provides a platform for cultural experimentation and exchange in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s ever-evolving urban landscape, while remaining rooted in the emirate’s authentic traditions,’’ said Ameera Ahmad, an Emirati artist at Al Hosn Festival.
