Today, the all-new session starts from the Al Hosn Festival, which organizes its activities across the various components of the Al Hosn Cultural Site in the center of Abu Dhabi, including Al Hosn Palace, the House of Craftsmen, the Cultural Complex and outdoor spaces.
The festival offers its visitors the opportunity to enjoy cultural celebrations throughout eight days, interspersed with a daily program that includes performances covering arts, design, cooking and more.
The Al Hosn Festival, which runs until the current 19th and is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, includes a series of artistic and cultural activities that include the “living museum” that takes place at Al Hosn Palace with the participation of a group of actors who revive the daily life scenes of characters from inside the palace, in addition to the heritage event The neighborhood where craftsmen offer traditional possessions, and showcases their skillful methods of producing these goods, which include perfumes, textiles and clothing.
While the Emirati cooking competition hosts a group of chefs to present traditional and contemporary Emirati dishes. Retail stores highlight local and international creative brands, as well as offer various musical performances between classic, jazz and folklore.
The Cultural Foundation is witnessing the launch of the performing arts today, with a concert by the Jordanian rock band "Jadal", following the official opening of the festival.
The story of transformations
“The Al Hosn Festival is a qualitative addition to the annual cultural agenda in Abu Dhabi, as it reflects the story of the extraordinary transformations that the Emirate has gone through between its ancient past and its prosperous present, including the stories of the solid will of the people of Abu Dhabi during these The transformations that moved the emirate from an area of tribal stability around Qasr Al-Hosn to become today one of the most modern global cities ».
He added that «the importance of the Al-Hosn cultural area, which includes the historic Al-Hosn Palace, the cultural complex, and the craftsmen’s house, in addition to the advisory council’s building, is that it is an open community space for the exchange of knowledge and the flourishing of the arts, as the new capabilities meet all elements of the prosperous cultural scene in the Emirati capital. Through the Al Hosn Festival, we celebrate the rich and diverse cultural mix in the capital from a new perspective, adding more elegance to the cultural scene in general.
The interactive experiences witnessed by the Al Hosn Festival in various parts of the city embody a vivid picture of the history of Abu Dhabi and its people, through the artistic programs it offers and reflects contemporary and diversified cultural exchanges through interactive workshops, performing arts and concerts, all of which are luminous aspects of Emirati creativity.
The Cultural Foundation showcases the highlights of Abu Dhabi's contemporary heritage, through the art galleries it hosts, as well as artistic performances and interactive programs directed to all ages.
Varied experiences
"The Living Museum" receives its visitors at Qasr Al Hosn, offering an experience that revives traditional life through figures who lived among the walls of this historic landmark, as a number of actors will revive 15 traditional scenes. Visitors will learn about other stories about the residents of the palace.
As for the exterior spaces of the palace, the craftsmen will display their skills in traditional industries, and visitors will have an appointment with the experience of making perfumes, colors and traditional textiles during the "living heritage" event.
In addition to the exhibition "Al-Rahoul", which monitors stations that develop the urban landscape of the city during the mid-twentieth century, highlighting the shift from primitive means of transportation to modern cars, through 21 classic cars dating back to the fifties and sixties.
The House of Craftsmen hosts workshops focusing on traditional Emirati craftsmanship, giving visitors an opportunity to learn raw wool spinning, learn about traditional doll making methods, and learn the basics of sewing sadu. Performances on the theater of the cultural complex include the Argentine dance troupe, "Chi Malmbo", which provides an inspiring show on rhythmic dance to the tune of music during the next two days. As for the Japanese group Maiwa Denki, she will perform a music show next Sunday.
During the next two days, "Open Sesame" show, which focuses on educational content in the Arabic language for children, will be presented, and it will combine entertainment and educational aspects.
Pulsed icon
Al Hosn, which marks the first start of the Emirati capital towards drawing its civilizational horizons, consists of four interconnected parts: the Al Hosn Palace, the Cultural Complex Building, the National Consultative Council Building and the Craftsmen House.
The importance of this region lies in its being a vibrant symbol of Emirati heritage and culture, and a vivid example of the Emirates' heritage and the originality of its people and traditions rooted in the depth of history, civilization and aspirations.
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Days during which festival activities will continue across the various components of the Al Hosn Cultural Site in central Abu Dhabi.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak:
"The importance of the Al-Hosn Cultural District lies in its being an open societal space for the exchange of knowledge and the flourishing of the arts, as new capabilities meet all elements of the thriving cultural scene in the Emirati capital."