The 4th Abu Dhabi Family Forum 2023, organised by the Family Development Foundation (FDF), continues to attract visitors, heritage lovers and people interested in learning about the cultural and popular heritage through a variety of cultural activities, performances and sessions that are being organised in collaboration with various entities.
A number of events and activities were organised at the Emirati Heritage Station, including ‘Saf Al Khos’ organised by the UAE Heritage Club, ‘Old Emirati Wedding’ organised in cooperation with the Women’s Association Sanad Al Watan, as well as the ‘Al Sanaa Al Emirati’ organised by the Sharjah Heritage Centre.
Numerous visitors of different ages visited the Event Theatre at the Emirate Heritage Station, which featured heritage and entertainment competitions with a wide audience participation. The competitions included the Emirati Popular Proverbs and Wedding Competition, UAE History Workshop, Bakery Workshop, and Children’s Popular Games Workshop.
The station offers tourists with an immersive experience of UAE heritage and culture through the ‘Al Nabti Poetry’ competition, which is jointly organised by the Family Development Foundation schools in collaboration with ADNOC schools, in which participants can delve into the local food culture through the engaging cooking corner and its competitions. Additionally, the ‘Coffee Corner’ showcases authentic UAE hospitality and welcoming rituals, emphasising the significance of Arabic coffee in the lives of Emiratis. For those interested in the historical aspects, ‘Cinema Al Awal’ presents an opportunity for visitors to enjoy old shows and series produced by Abu Dhabi TV.
Aisha Salem Al Kaabi, Senior Organiser and Head of UAE Heritage Station, said: “Through the Emirati Heritage Station and with strategic partners and entrepreneurs, our efforts have been dedicated to imparting the rich cultural heritage of the UAE to every community member visiting the station. We received commendation for the diverse events and activities introduced, including the portrayal of traditional Emirati weddings, popular games, insights into the UAE coffee industry, and glimpses into the candy industry. The station also featured a diverse array of craftsmen showcasing traditional skills, such as Tele Service, Saf Al Khos, Sedo, and Henna.”
Al Kaabi highlighted that the Emirati Heritage Station showcases a collection of vintage images depicting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, graciously provided by our strategic partner, the National Library and Archives. Furthermore, a dedicated section has been set up to highlight various fishing tools, accompanied by training workshops aimed at enriching visitors’ understanding of sea-related concepts and tools.
Dr. Mini Bounama, Director of Content and Publishing at Sharjah Heritage Institute, said: “The Sharjah Heritage Institute is committed to actively engaging and consistently participating in a variety of forums, programs, and events, both within and beyond the country. This commitment extends specifically to activities aligned with its core competencies, vision and objectives. Whether involving festivals, heritage and community events, or participating in book fairs and other cultural activities, the institute strives to be present at meaningful events that resonate with its mission.”
Bounama stated that this year’s participation at the 4th Abu Dhabi Family Forum aligns with previous participations, marking the inaugural active engagement. Despite maintaining consistent connections and communication with the organisers since the previous year, this marks the first direct and proactive involvement.
Bounama added: “Our active participation in this significant forum is driven by the objective of showcasing the central and pivotal role played by the Sharjah Heritage Institute in the conservation, preservation and widespread dissemination of the UAE’s cultural heritage. This is evident through the Institute’s extensive publications, exceeding 700 in number, covering various aspects of cultural heritage, including books, leagues, encyclopaedias, magazines, and more. The Institute’s role is further emphasised through its programs, activities, and events, which serve as a foundational element in instilling the values of UAE cultural heritage in the minds of children and young people. This is achieved through training, artistic endeavours and heritage workshops designed to bring the heritage closer to them, facilitating a deeper understanding and assimilation. Notably, we have observed a remarkable turnout, coupled with a genuine passion and profound attachment to the UAE’s heritage. It acts as a reflective mirror portraying the life of the past and serves as a secure outlet for the new generation, counterbalancing the immersion in technology and globalisation along with its potential negative effects.”
Bonaameh highlighted that the participation of the Sharjah Heritage Institute pavilion in the Forum paints a vivid representation, underscoring the significance of Emirati heritage, its rich history, and authenticity. The pavilion showcases exhibits complemented by engaging programs such as heritage colouring workshops, drawings and training sessions on folk games and heritage vocabulary. It serves as a crucial space for fostering communication and interaction with attendees, visitors and target audiences.
The 4th Abu Dhabi Family Forum 2023, themed ‘A Coherent Family… Sustainable Society,’ is being organised by the Family Development Foundation under the auspices of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s Community Excellence and Intelligence Program, a pivotal initiative of the Foundation that will run until December 15.
The primary objective of the Forum is to offer interactive development opportunities for families in a social environment that seamlessly blends entertainment, knowledge acquisition, and skill application through a series of collaborative events involving various service entities. The Forum aims to cultivate a sense of familiarity and challenge among society members, fostering stronger family and community bonds while instilling trust in service institutions.
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