• UAE Pavilion to highlight national and cultural identity
• Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to promote the touristic and cultural role of heritage in UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 22 January, 2017:  The UAE is participating in the 31st Al Janadriyah Festival for Heritage & Culture to be held from February 1 to 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  The UAE pavilion will be showcased by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority in collaboration with various agencies and institutions in the UAE associated with tourism, culture and heritage.

The pavilion will present diverse activities throughout the festival’s duration illustrating the country’s heritage, cultural diversity and traditions. 

HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of TCA Abu Dhabi, stated: “Our participation in the festival highlights the deep cultural and historical relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially with our most popular tourism experiences aligned with the traditions and customs of the Gulf region.  We are in close proximity to Saudi Arabia, and offer visitors a wide range of attractions covering folk festivals, traditional arts and souks. Our participation underlines our commitment to strengthen cultural relations, and enhance communications between various partners that celebrate traditional Bedouin heritage.”

“We strive to build awareness of our heritage through participation in various regional and international events. It is a vital part of the Emirati national identity and has been shaped by our environment over thousands of years. We are guided by the vision of our wise leadership to integrate future development while upholding our cultural identity, and safeguarding both tangible and intangible cultural inheritances,” he added.

The pavilion will include Bedouin life and marine environment sections, live falconry displays, displays and demonstrations of traditional cuisine and Arabic coffee, and a performance theatre will stage traditional folk art performances and Emirati dance.

The Pavilion will also host photography exhibitions charting relations between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, information on the emirate’s diverse range of tourist attractions and a celebration of the city of Al Ain highlighting the traditional architectural elements and various traditional crafts and heritage.
With a pavilion featuring traditional mud architecture and an area totalling 4,800 square metres, TCA Abu Dhabi’s fourth participation at the 17 day festival consolidates Abu Dhabi’s status as a main cultural centre in the region, and highlights Emirati cultural and traditional elements that are listed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.