Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Offering a vivid glimpse into the UAE's rich maritime legacy, the fourth edition of the Maritime Heritage Festival is welcoming visitors with an engaging experience along the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
The festival creates a vibrant atmosphere rich in coastal heritage and traditional crafts, bringing to life the stories of forefathers, fishermen, divers and the generations who shaped the nation's maritime identity.
Across the festival grounds, the rhythms of traditional performing arts like Al-Ayyala and Al-Nahma fill the air. Their graceful movements and accompanying chants paint a captivating picture of life by the sea and its enduring influence on Emirati culture. Artisan demonstrations, creative performances, and historical competitions add to the immersive experience.
Held under the theme "Community", aligning with the UAE's Year of Community, the event, which kicked off on November 14, will run until November 23, offering interactive programmes championing local artisans and heritage practitioners.
For visitor Mariam Hazaa, the beat of traditional performances and the sound of the waves offer a powerful connection to the country's origins.
"It brings back memories of bravery, endurance, and cooperation – stories of the sea, the divers and the nakhoodas [captains of pearling boats]," she said.
Another visitor Ebtisam Al Siyari described the festival as a journey through the nation's memory. "I saw the elaborate maritime crafts that shaped our identity while stopping at live performances and traditional workshops. Every sound revives a memory, and every nook tells a tale."
For Zayed Al Breiki, the festival is a reminder of the responsibility to pass this heritage to future generations. "This generation must learn about the tools used for fishing and diving, and how our forefathers crafted them with their own hands, a legacy that continues to live on."
