11th Traditional Crafts and Industries Festival Opens in Al Ain
The 11th edition of the Traditional Crafts and Industries Festival launched on November 1 at Al Qattara Souq in Al Ain, continuing until November 20. This year’s festival, themed “A Journey Through Traditional Community Crafts,” is free to attend and offers visitors an opportunity to explore Emirati heritage through a series of immersive exhibits and experiences.
Focus on Artisans and Family Producers
The festival is designed to highlight the skills of artisans and family producers, aiming to foster creativity while promoting the cultural sector. By showcasing these crafts, the event helps build capacity, encourage innovation, and expand product opportunities. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange, allowing the public to interact directly with artisans and learn about their crafts through live demonstrations and workshops.
Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oasis Trails
A key feature of the festival is the immersive journey through Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases, both located within a UNESCO World Heritage site. These trails offer a living heritage experience, enriching the visit with historical context. As part of Al Ain’s recognition as the Gulf Tourism Capital, this experience also includes the “Manar Abu Dhabi” exhibition, which reimagines light as both a cultural memory and a navigation tool rooted in ancestral knowledge.
International Artists and Unique Installations
Among the highlights of the festival is artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s installation, “River of Translation,” which showcases local poems in Arabic and English in an interactive format. His other piece, “Pulses of Light,” invites visitors to interact with light, using their heartbeats to create a shared experience that reflects the earth’s pulse.
Four Pavilions Celebrate Emirati Heritage
The festival features four main pavilions dedicated to different aspects of traditional crafts and industries:
- Emirati Coffee Pavilion: Celebrating the art of hospitality, this pavilion offers live performances and workshops focused on traditional coffee preparation.
- Weaving and Palm Fronds Pavilion: Visitors can witness the techniques of Sadu weaving and palm frond craft, with hands-on experiences available.
- Traditional Fashion Pavilion: This pavilion highlights women’s clothing, perfumes, and adornments, with live demonstrations of perfume blending and jewelry crafting.
- Blacksmith and Leather Industries Pavilion: Artisans display metal shaping and leather tanning skills, including sword and dagger making.
In addition to these pavilions, the festival also offers traditional games and hosts a groundbreaking tournament for people of determination, promoting inclusivity and social integration.
Opening Hours and Community Engagement
The festival is open to students from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and to the public from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm daily. Admission is free for all visitors. The event also features a variety of community programmes and interactive activities, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate.
Mona Al Kindi of the Al Ain Central Library emphasised the library’s role as a knowledge hub with its diverse range of printed and digital collections. She also highlighted the library’s commitment to continuous service, providing 24-hour access to its resources.
Cultural Exchange and National Pride
Patronised by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler in the Al Ain region, the festival reflects the UAE’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its heritage. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, noted that the event is a testament to the importance of heritage in fostering national pride and unity.
Festival partners include the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, and several other local entities. The event continues to be an essential part of Abu Dhabi’s cultural agenda, contributing to the broader goals of cultural preservation and community development.
For those interested in more about Emirati traditions and events, Hospitality Qatar 2025 marks a decade of growth and innovation offers further insights into the region’s expanding cultural landscape.
