Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD) will showcase Emirati values and reinforce national identity among younger generations visiting the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX).
Taking place from 28 August to 6 September 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club.
This year, the academy is focusing on transforming cultural heritage from spoken tradition into an immersive educational experience—uniting children, youth, and families while bridging knowledge with practice and interactive engagement.
It will welcome visitors to a larger stand designed to take them on an integrated educational and interactive journey through a series of areas inspired by Emirati culture and the UAE’s natural environments. The experience combines sensory, movement-based, and creative activities with interactive storytelling and family discussions, enabling visitors to engage with Emirati heritage in ways that reflect their interests and needs.
Children will be introduced to different aspects of Emirati heritage and the UAE’s natural environments through a wide range of interactive experiences.
At Al Arqoub, they will explore elements of desert heritage, including falconry, horsemanship and Emirati customs, through movement-based and storytelling activities that promote patience, focus, respect, kindness towards animals, good manners and hospitality.
At Al Dana, children will take part in sensory and creative experiences inspired by the UAE’s maritime, diving and pearl-trading heritage, while developing values such as courage, patience and teamwork and building awareness of marine conservation.
At Al Meydan, children will take part in a series of interactive stations inspired by Emirati heritage, where they will learn about the horse, falcon, date palm, dallah (traditional coffee pot) and tent, and explore the values they represent, including courage, patience, generosity, hospitality and adaptability, while Al Dikka will highlight traditional crafts and industries as an integral part of the UAE’s living heritage.
Their journey will be connected through the Child’s Heritage Passport, which allows them to collect stamps from the different stations and receive symbolic titles upon completing the experience.
The activities will encourage young visitors to explore the relationship between national identity and contemporary life, and express Emirati culture and heritage in innovative and responsible ways.
The interactive area at the NACD booth will aim to strengthen communication and family bonds through a series of questions exchanged between parents and children. The experience will encourage family members to learn more about one another’s interests, preferences and aspirations, while fostering meaningful dialogue, active listening, and closer family connections.
Dr Meera Alkaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, said: “Our participation in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition for the second consecutive year reflects the academy’s commitment to transforming heritage from knowledge that is passed down into a living experience shared by children, young people and families. This year, we have developed a larger stand and a more integrated experience, allowing visitors to move through spaces inspired by the UAE’s diverse environments and engage with our national heritage through sensory and movement-based activities, as well as family discussions.
“Through this experience, we aim to strengthen national identity, instil the values of patience, respect, teamwork and responsibility, and support families in passing Emirati heritage on to children in ways that connect with their daily lives and interests. We believe the continuity of heritage begins within the family, when children live its values through their everyday practices and learn to express it with confidence and awareness, ensuring that it remains alive and renewed across generations.”
