The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is organising entertaining and interactive cultural events in Al Ain throughout the month of April at three main locations: Al Jahili Fort, Al Qattara Arts Centre and Qasr Al Muwaiji. Activities will include handicrafts workshops, lectures, exhibitions and more.
Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain Festival 2019
April will see the return of the annual Al Ain Festival, offering art workshops for children and participants of all ages. Taking place from 8 – 10 April at Hili Fun City, the event is the biggest of its kind in Al Ain, with hands-on workshops run by Al Qattara Arts Centre including Arabic calligraphy, recycling, handicrafts, Oud, and pottery.
Al Jahili Fort
Al Jahili Fort is holding an one-off open day on 7 April, inviting visitors to learn about the technical and historical details of the landmark’s cooling system, which has been carefully restored using traditional materials and modern techniques. Visitors will learn how the Fort is in ecological harmony with its surroundings, the traditional mud-brick materials helping to maintain a year-round interior temperature of 22°C.
Qasr Al Muwaiji
On 13 April, a special event introducing visitors to the craftsmanship of Emirati daggers will be held at Qasr Al Muwaiji. The Emirati Dagger programme will showcase the traditions, craftsmanship and secrets behind each dagger’s production, as well as the different materials and colours used for these objects throughout the Middle East. Visitors will get the chance to wear the dagger’s sheath for themselves, and view the special treasures on display, including HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s personal dagger.
Handicrafts at the Oasis
Every Wednesday from 14 April – 2 May, DCT Abu Dhabi is organising ‘Handicrafts at the Oasis’. The event, taking place at Al Ain Oasis, will offer insights into traditional Emirati handicrafts through workshops on pottery and Al Sadu (weaving), aiming to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the UAE.
Herfaty Programme
The Herfaty programme aims to introduce visitors to Emirati heritage and promote a national cultural identity through a variety of traditional handicrafts, including Al Sadu (weaving), pottery, Telli (embroidery) and rope-making. Taking place on 7 and 16 April at Al Ain Palace Museum, the April programme will focus on the Telli craft, where participants will weave bright metallic threads to decorate women’s dresses.
Protecting Cultural Heritage
DCT Abu Dhabi is hosting a lecture, ‘The Most Important Legal Procedures to Protect Cultural Heritage’, on 16 April at the Customs Training Institute, Falaj Hazza, Al Ain. The lecture will explore the importance of preserving cultural heritage and address measures for combatting illegal practices, discussing how best to protect cultural property in line with international laws and conventions.
