For the fourth year in a row, Abu Dhabi organized it’s annual Qasr Al-Hosn Festival to celebrate the past and present glories of the UAE. It is truly a celebration of Emirati culture and heritage. The festival provides visitors and tourists an opportunity to learn more about the Emirati identity in a fun and informative way.
The event opened its doors on Feb. 3, Wednesday, and in attendance were Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces along with the country’s officials from different Emirati cities, who were all greeted with traditional folklore music and dance performances praising the country and its strong leadership.
The festival’s motto, “Take part in history” is true to itself as everywhere you turn you will find something old, something new and many things interesting.
There are a total of five zones at the festival, which include Qasr Al-Hosn zone, Marine zone, Desert zone, Abu Dhabi Island zone and Oasis zone.
The festival also highlights the fort itself and its history, as Qasr Al-Hosn is the symbolic birthplace of the capital of the UAE. It is the first permanent structure built in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and one that housed its Al-Nahyan ruling family for generations.
Qasr Al-Hosn zone is the new addition to this year’s festival, it is where visitors can explore the Emirati architecture, archaeology workshops and live activities that can provide a better view of the archaeological and architectural features of the fort.
The Desert zone, which is exactly, what the UAE is all about, offers handicrafts, local animals, food and a true reflection of the Emirati desert.
In this zone, Emirati women from older generations demonstrate how women used to dress up in the past. In a burqa making workshop, visitors are introduced to the history of the burqa, how they are made and worn. The designs vary with the age of women and the occasion. Burqas made with pure gold are worn in big celebrations such as weddings.
In the Oasis zone, one can find workshops about farming and the use of natural resources to form building materials, in addition to a variety of fun activities. You can see how men used to climb trees just as you can taste different kinds of local dates.
The Abu Dhabi Island zone portrays life within the promising resolution that would become the modern city we know today. One can see a true reflection of Emirati traditions, culture and art through cooking, schooling, policing and handcrafts. The area is surrounded by members of the Al-Hosn Police Force who used to protect the fort and its surrounding areas.
The Marine zone is an opportunity to show how life was before oil in the UAE where one can meet sailors, pearl divers, boat builders who will share their history and stories with visitors and demonstrate how things were done before.
By the manmade sea here, you are able to sit face to face with Emirati sailors and boat makers who will show you how to use palms and coconut husks to build a boat from scratch. This section is called Shasha Boat section where you will also witness how they used to make oyster nets seeking to find pearls that are later sold in the market.
The festival is a delight for the younger generation who are given activity tickets at the entrance to allow them to interact in different zones and booths. One of my personal favorites is the storytelling booth. It is where you will find a narrator dressed in traditional clothing with a number of children surrounding him seeking his old and traditional stories that are told in a theatrical and engaging way. It is held every hour until the festival closes its doors at night.
Women visitors will love the retail shops where one can find the essential elements of traditional Emirati costumes. There are a number of booths that are available to support local and small businesses.
The story of Abu Dhabi and its people exhibition is an indoors exhibition that features photos, videos, a light show and other vintage items that are put together in a small museum at the festival to showcase the development of Abu Dhabi through the years. The exhibitions include Archives and Memories, Recollections of the Cultural Foundation and The Anatomy of Photograph.
Two live shows were particularly interesting. One depicted a wedding in which two camels carry the bride and groom dressed traditionally. Another is the authentic Emirati dance that is held every hour.
Tucked away is a small café called Gahwa, Arabic for coffee. This café serves a full menu for visitors who are seated outdoor overlooking the events of the festival. Another purpose of Gahwa is to educate visitors about true Emirati hospitality and the art of coffee. There are different types of Emirati coffee such as the Classic Emirati Gahwa made with only coffee beans and cardamom, Aromatic Emirati Gahwa made with coffee beans, cardamom and saffron, Special Emirati Gahwa made with medium roast coffee beans, cardamom, saffron and rose water, Emirati Gahwa with Ginger made with medium roast coffee beans, cardamom and ginger, Emirati Gahwa with Cinnamon made with medium roast coffee beans, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves and Traditional Emirati Haleeb, Arabic for milk, made with milk, cinnamon, cardamom and saffron.
Gahwa lovers can find all the necessary coffee utensils such as coffee pots, stoves and cups. The café also offers visitors to witness the practice of coffee preparation and serving it traditionally, with respect given to the guests’ status and age.
The 10-day festival is designed to both entertain and educate visitors about the true colors of Abu Dhabi. Among the visitors, I saw Um Yaber, an Emirati mother of two young boys, proudly showing her culture and traditions to her children. “This festival is a perfect opportunity for us Emirati nationals to show our children and the younger generation in general how life used to be before we witnessed this modernity, how the older generations helped build this country from scratch by operating simple and handy businesses,” she told Arab News. “I am grateful to those who organized this event for it is very delightful and they chose the perfect time and venue because of the weather and because it is held in the oldest building on the island,” she added.
Um Yaber wishes the festival would never end and that the organizers would do more of such activities for tourists and young Emiratis. “I enjoyed everything, especially the fact that they paid attention to small details such as dressing the security guards in old police uniforms and feeding traditional Emirati cuisine to the crowds,” she said.
Wandering in the crowds was a French woman holding her camera and gazing with admiration toward colorful Emirati textiles. “I am not a photographer, I thought this is the perfect opportunity to take photos for my Facebook page to allow my friends and family get a glimpse of where I live and the local culture,” Aliane told Arab News. “I am very excited to be part of such an event that brings the old days back.”
The event employs a total of 300 volunteers who are also ambassadors of the festival. They are there to guide you, especially if your language is a barrier, and are ready to explain more about the festival and their culture. Don’t be shy to approach them and ask for a tour.
The event runs until Feb. 13. Qasr Al-Hosn is located between Hamdan Street and Zayed the First Street, alongside Shaikh Rashid Street (Old Airport Road)
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