Dubai Culture’s ‘Heritage Week’ celebrations host thousands of visitors

Dubai, UAE; April 28, 2011: The Heritage Week celebrations organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) hosted several thousand visitors including school students who were offered unique glimpses into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the UAE.

The celebrations under the theme, “Dubai: Live Your Heritage,” held at Al Bastakiya, Dubai Public Library, Dubai Culture & Scientific Association, Dubai Women`s Association, Al Lisaili, Hatta National Arts & Cultural Association, Dubai International Airport and The Dubai Mall, provided tremendous insights into the past splendour of the country and the Emirati way of life.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Our rich heritage and traditions are a national treasure and an invaluable source of inspiration for the young generation. The Heritage Week celebrations were a true demonstration of the multifaceted splendours and strengths of the Emirati identity. The overwhelming response to the activities highlighted the interest of the public, especially the younger generation, in reconnecting with our Emirati roots.”

Al Bastakiya, the cultural nerve-centre of Dubai, hosted an array of activities including traditional games, costume displays, handicrafts display and cultural performances. Students from an average of three to four schools visited Al Bastakiya daily during Heritage Week in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). More than 1,000 students, who visited the heritage site, were briefed extensively on the cultural significance of the activities.

The open air market that showcased traditional Emirati trinkets and artefacts at Al Bastakiya was extremely popular among tourist groups too, several hundred of them touring the site during the week. The activities at Dubai Public Library, Dubai Culture & Scientific Association, Dubai Women`s Association, Al Lisaili, Hatta National Arts & Cultural Association, Dubai International Airport and The Dubai Mall also drew strong attendance.

For literature lovers, the poetry sessions featuring Emirati poets, Rashid Sharar and Alia Alameri “Shojoun Al Dhubyani” provided glimpses into the rich literary heritage of the UAE. Various aspects of the country’s way of life including a live enactment of the old practices of fishing and pearl diving, displayed at The Dubai Mall, were popular among the visitors.

A traditional tent set up at the waiting area of Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 welcomed visitors providing them with information on the customs and heritage of the UAE.

Dubai Culture will roll out several interactive initiatives for the public in the coming months to further highlight the cultural and artistic heritage of the UAE.