Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the 13th edition of Al Dhafra Water Festival will dock on Al Mirfa’ City’s tomorrow in Mughirah beach, Al Dhafra Region, from 17th to 26th March, 2022.
Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, said, “Al Dhafra Water Festival plays a significant role in further promoting the maritime culture and heritage competitions that translate the UAE leadership’s increased interest in preserving our national heritage and identity, and conveying the civilisational and human message of the UAE, while passing our quintessential Emirati environmental and cultural heritage on to next generations.”
He valued the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to continue to launch projects that aim at preserving the UAE cultural heritage. He highlighted as well the constant follow-up by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, of various heritage festivals in the emirate in continuation of the sincere efforts initiated by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to promote awareness of the values inherent in the Emirati cultural heritage, through organisation of competitions, races, diving trips, shipbuilding and other marine heritage activities.
“Such events and activities help encourage and engage young people in the profession of their ancestors through a variety of exhilarating edutainment functions and competitions that enliven seaside heritage amongst UAE citizens, residents and visitors,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Eissa Saif Al Mazrouei, Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Management of Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programmes, said, “Al Dhafra Water Festival reflects the peculiar and stunning elements of beauty boasted by the coastal areas in Al Dhafra region. This year’s edition of the event comes in a special fashion that celebrates and instill the pride of authentic national identity and rich Emirati heritage among our young generations, citizens, residents and visitors alike through an impressive lineup of edutainment activities that promote the richness of the Emirati cultural and social fabric.”
He added, “The festival also sheds extensive light on Al Dhafra region, which abounds in exquisite tourist potential that enable the emirate of Abu Dhabi to host heritage and sporting festivals in the best possible manners.”
Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Director of the Planning and Projects Department of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, said, “The 13th edition of the Al Dhafra Water Festival features a distinctive line of marine competitions, recreational and educational events and games that present a wonderful image of the UAE heritage and community that echoes Emiratis’ inseparable connection to their ancestors’ values, traditions and customs.”
“The Festival also underlines the significant role played by the maritime sector in enriching the ancient cultural and social fabric in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular and the United Arab Emirates, in general,” he added.
Al Dhafra Water Festival seeks to inspire an educational message about the Emirati marine heritage among its visitors, and water sports enthusiasts, directing their interest more towards this form of heritage through a variety of edutainment activities and events that enliven seaside heritage amongst UAE, residents and visitors.
The event features an impressive line-up of marine heritage and beach competitions, recreational and educational events and traditional games that introduce the visitors to the authentic Emirati heritage by reflecting wonderful images of the UAE culture and quintessential Emirati values, traditions and customs, while highlighting the significant role played by the maritime sector in enriching the cultural and social fabric of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general.
This edition of the much-awaited festival features the Tafrees Traditional Race; Marwah Traditional Dhow Sailing Race (43 ft); Al Mirfa Traditional Rowing Race; Open Kitesurf and Paddle Boarding; Al Dhafrah Regatta; Salahah Al Bwanish Sailing Race; Fishing Championship; carrom, dominoes; iron-man competitions; live multi-sport events, like cycling and running races; and camping area performances by the Abu Dhabi Folklore Troupe, including concerts, fireworks & horse shows, and mobile fast-food restaurants (Food Trucks).
It also includes Al Dhafra Souq, which hosts the Bait Nokhza House; Children’s Village; folk costume shows; cooking competitions; traditional handicrafts shows; and the Theater, including daily competitions and prizes, among other activities catering to different age groups.
Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, Al Dhafra Water Festival comes in keeping with the wise leadership’s approach to conveying the civilisational and human message of the UAE, preserving national identity and maintaining and encouraging seaside heritage.
The Festival will take place amidst precautionary and preventive measures to maintain public health and safety, including physical distancing and mask-wearing, in support of the efforts made at the country level to ensure restoring normalcy and recovery from the pandemic.
Source: Emirates News Agency