The annual Traditional Handicrafts Festival in Al Ain is back to wow all of the UAE.
Celebrating the artisans and craftsmanship behind some of the most cherished Emirati handicrafts, this year’s festival will run from 1-20 November in the Souq Al Qattara, Al Ain.
Each year, the festival attracts practitioners and enthusiasts of handicrafts and traditional industries from all over the UAE with the aim of promoting and preserving traditional Emirati handicrafts and developing them as a source of income.
Through experiencing the making of traditional crafts by local experts, visitors can truly comprehend their significance as important expressions of Emirati heritage, customs and traditions of the UAE.
As the world continues to evolve rapidly, it becomes more imperative than ever to preserve both the tangible and intangible aspects of culture. Through events such as these, craftsmen preserving a dying art are promoted, alongside younger generations being exposed to these invaluable skills so they may ensure their continuity and pass it forward.
Of course, the festival comes with an interesting line-up of entertaining events, from musical performances to an educational cultural programme of workshops and other interactive events.
Alongside the festival, Bait Al Oud will also organise concerts, with Al Qattara Arts Centre organising the ALSuwayea programme for ladies and families.
Last year, the festival opened under the theme Crafts of the Ancestors, Pride of the People. Alongside creative sessions focusing on crafts such as Al Sadu weaving and Talli embroidery, there were also interactive sessions to keep kids interested and informed.
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