Heritage

In late February, Abu Dhabi hosted the second Qasr al Hosn Festival. I am so, so happy we made the time to visit- it was incredible!

 

The festival was designed to showcase the restoration of the Qasr al Hosn (a fort) and how the UAE once was- traditional crafts, food, way of life. There were four separate areas (desert, oasis, marina, and Abu Dhabi island) with plenty of demonstrations, activities, and workshops.

 

The festival ran for a week to rave reviews. When we were there, on a Tuesday evening, it was packed with Emiratis and expats alike, all of us taking photos and enjoying ourselves.

 

Sampling dates in the Desert section. There are many dozens of types of dates and all taste a bit different.

Holding a falcon in the Desert section. Falcons are a huge part of Emirati history and are bought and sold for substantial amounts. 

A gorgeous Saluki, a hunting breed found in desert regions. Also called Persian Greyhounds.

Shucking oysters and looking for pearls in the Marina section.

Building models of small boats that were used to set fishing traps in the Marina.

These friendly men were sewing sails for pearling dhows- Abu Dhabi's most important industry until oil was discovered.

An adorable baby camel.

These women were sewing clothes used in a traditional wedding celebration. I also got to see the traditional gifts given to the bride from her future husband's family. A traditional wedding lasts several days.

One of the best parts of the festival were the workshops. Each section hosted multiple opportunities for guests to learn more about crafts or skills. I participated in one about gahwa, or Arabic coffee, and got to see the man above grind beans, prepare the coffee, and serve it in a traditional Bedouin way. Some of the other popular workshops included burqa making, cooking class, weaving, building a fish trap, and learning how to dye fabrics. 

Tree climbing- to harvest dates.

This Telli embroidery demonstration was amazing- several women weaving silver thread, which is then used to adorn abayas. They each had many spools to manage- the more they had, the wider the telli.

Men in lines performing traditional dance (Al Yowla).

Young girls circling the drummers in a traditional dance.

The actual fort, Qasr al Hosn, is undergoing a substantial renovation and isn't open year round. It's the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi and has served several functions since it was built in 1761. It was initially a watchtower (it sits close to the beach) and, throughout the years, a palace, fortress, administrative building, and seat of government during the country's unification. 

Sampling local food: Emirati bread.

One of the other great parts was a pop-up gahwa shop inside the Cultural Foundation. I'm so sad this was temporary and only open during the Festival! It was a beautiful space and the coffee they were serving was great (some blends with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger). I'm already looking forward to next year!