Fujairah Monodrama Includes Interviews and Conversations with Actors

Mabrook!

In addition to staging a variety of theatre performances, the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival Organizing Committee is to be commended for including interviews with actors and playwrights which ensue in Q & A times and conversations in which the guests and general public can participate.

Friendships Thru’ the Arts

On the second day of the Festival the organizers organized a panel discussion (pictured) on the topic ‘Lifelong Friends’. Chaired by Festival Chairman, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Egyptian actors, Nour El Sherif and Ashraf Abdel Ghafour spoke of their friendship that has extended for decades and which was established and strengthened through their participation in the art world.

Significant Role of the Arts

These two actors spoke of some of the difficulties that they had faced at the beginning of their careers when they both worked on the television show Al Qahera Wa Annaas (Cairo and People). This show was a minute by minute account of Egyptian society in 1967. It was a critical era in the history of Egypt and the Arab world and acting in this television drama played a very significant role.

Unforgettable Memories

The popular Egyptian artist, Hani Ramzi, offered a review of his career in the arts and his visions for life and theatre.

Ramzi spoke of his love for political comedy that stemmed from his family in Egypt. His great-grandfather was a member of the 1919 revolution, his father was an active politician and some of his brothers were also engaged politically.

The Danger of the Arts

Ramzi said:

“My interest in exposing political concerns and the way I approached the subject in my work led to many problems that ended in his art works being permanently monitored by the authorities.”

Encouraging Others

He said that what he went through in his life taught him to always be a student for the artists around him like the distinguished Egyptian actress, Sameeha Ayoub.

He added that the Egyptian actor, Mohammed Subhi once told Ramzi that he reminded him of himself when he was young and just starting his career.

On the margins of these two discussions the Festival Director, Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, gave awards to the actors (pictured).

Thanks

These discussions were in Arabic. Thanks to Mahmoud Allam for some of the above content and to Hessa Al Falasi for her translation.

Revised Program of Fujairah International Monodrama Festival

The Friday Opening Ceremony was postponed until Sunday, causing a rejigging of the program.

Here is your copy of the Revised Program for the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival 2012.

Geoff Pound

Images: Top photo—from left to right, Ashraf Abdul Ghafour (talking into the microphone), Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani (chair) and Nour Al Sherif.

Bottom photo--from left to right, Mohamed Saif Al Afkham (Festival Director) presenting awards to Ashraf Abdul Ghafour and Nour Al Sherif.

Some Fujairah Tourism Attractions Featured on Video

There are lots of fascinating things to do in Fujairah but the difficulty has been finding the places and obtaining information to make a useful and informed visit.

Perhaps the best video that has been made about Fujairah’s tourism attractions is called ‘Fujairah Tourism Movie’ and can be seen below.

It has been commissioned by the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority.

It has some captions but it needs more in English and Arabic.

It would be helpful to have information on every landmark featured in this movie and the others that did not get included.

Finally a route map would be beneficial to residents and tourists.

This good overview video is designed to whet the appetite and to encourage people to see that Fujairah has a lot to discover and enjoy, especially in the way of Emirati culture, old buildings (mosques, forts and palaces), sensational mountains and safe beaches.

Take a Look at Fujairah

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photographs are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: The popular Fujairah Fort.

French Archaeological Team Discoveries in Masafi, Fujairah 2011

A French archaeological team in conjunction with the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority has released their most recent report (French, Arabic and English) on the ‘Excavations and Survey in the Masafi Area: Fourth Archeological Campaign’ (November-December 2011).

The team was comprised of A. Benoist, V. Bernard, A. Callot, J. Charbonnier, G Choimet, A. Delassiaz, M. Egli-Destrosi, J. Goy, A. Hamel, C. Le Carlier, L. Purdue and T. Sagory.

Here is their report:

INTRODUCTION

History of Research

The team working in Masafi under the supervision of A. Benoist is part of the French Archaeological Mission in the UAE directed by S. Mery and financed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The French Archaeological Mission in the UAE is engaged in a long term research program to study the evolution of human communities in the UAE, from the Neolithic period up until the beginning of Islam. To carry out these researches, the French Archaeological Mission includes several teams of specialists from CNRS, working on different periods: specialists of the Neolithic period have been working in Aqab (V. Harpentier), specialists of the Bronze Age have been working at Hili (S. Mery), researches are carried out in the emirate of Fujairah by a team more specialized in the Iron Age (A. Benoist) and excavations have been made at Mleiha by a team specialized in the Late Pre-Islamic Period (M. Mouton).

Regarding the Iron Age Period (Ca. 1300-300 BC), our aims are to study in a synthetic way different territories which have been occupied during this period, in order to put in evidence strategies of adaptation which were developed by human communities to take profit from their environment and to estimate the consequences generated by these strategies on the further development of societies. To carry out such a program of research, we try to select different geographic areas, characterized by different environments and resources and we study the organization and evolution of Iron Age territories located in these various geographical areas in order to establish local models of evolution and development. In a second time this data can help us to distinguish more clearly between environmental pressure and human choices and better characterize Iron Age societies.

The activity of the French Archaeological Mission in the Emirate of Fujairah is the result of a kind invitation by the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority who gently proposed to us to cooperate for studying pre-Islamic cultures. Traces of Iron Age occupation were first noticed in Masafi in 2003 during a brief visit made by the team. The site was reported to the department of Antiquities and measures for its protection were immediately taken.

Location and Composition of Masafi Territory

Masafi is located in a particular area including water springs, from where three wadis are circulating in different directions: Wadi Abadilah goes to the north west to Dibba, Wadi Ham crosses the mountains between Masafi and Fujairah and Wadi Siji links the region of Masafi to the one of Al Dhaid, along the western foothills. Thus, we probably are in one of the richest regions of the UAE for water. Traces of Iron Age occupation are known both at Dibba and Fujairah (Kalba) and Masafi appears also as a strategic location along the trade roads between western and eastern regions.

Thus, a program of research on the study of the Pre-Islamic occupation in Masafi was submitted by the French Archaeological Mission to the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority. It includes surveys and excavations in the part of Masafi belonging to the Fujairah emirate. With the authorization of the Department of Antiquities of Ras Al Khaimah, an exploration of some parts of Masafi belonging to the Ras Al Khaimah emirate was also planned.

During a first survey conducted in 2006-2007, the south-western part of Masafi was explored between the border of Ras Al Khaimah to the north and the road from Masafi to Al Dhaid to the south. Traces of Iron Age occupation extend in this area on a surface measuring around 600 x 200 m, including the western half of the Masafi Village, the eastern half of the palm tree gardens and to the north-west, a rocky hill which separated the cultivated area from the Wadi Abadilah. To the north, the Iron Age occupation seems to continue, although more sporadically inside the territory of Ras Al Khaimah. To the south the Iron Age occupation extends until the road leading from Masafi to Al Dhaid. An Islamic settlement is extending in the southern part of the Iron Age area, from the southern half of the palm gardens until the road.

Five archaeological areas were defined inside the area covered by the survey:

+ Excavations were made in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 on a low terrace located to the west of the present village, next to the palm tree cultivation area. They allowed the discovery of three successive public buildings dated from the Iron Age II Period. This area was named Masafi-1. These three successive buildings were very similar in shape and their function probably was identical, but each one was characterized by distinctive techniques of construction.

+ At a distance of 300 m to the north-west of Masafi-1 a fortress could be located on a rocky hill. It forms the Masafi-2 area. The excavation of this large Iron Age II settlement began in 2010 and is still in progress.

+ In 2007, a trial trench carried out in a farm to the west of Masafi-1 revealed a third archaeological site, Masafi-3. It was excavated during the 2009 and 2010 seasons and could be interpreted as a temple, dating from the Iron Age II Period. It probably was functioning when the public buildings were used and was connected to them.

+ Masafi-4 is an area located on the eastern side of a rocky hill to the north of Masafi-2 in the territory of Ras Al Khaimah. It was only visited in 2010 and still needs to be mapped with the agreement of the Ras Al Khaimah authorities. Stone walls are visible on the slope of the hill and a huge quantity of pottery is present at the foot of the hill. It includes some Iron Age material but also a lot of Islamic pottery and several occupations might be represented there.

+ Finally Masafi-5 was discovered in 2010 and the surface remains were mapped during the present campaign. The site is a settlement extending on the northern slope of a rocky hill which has been partly bulldozed to the south. A first study of the remains and the associated material made during the present campaign suggests a Late Bronze Age dating.

CONCLUSION

The present campaign has allowed us to definitely date the border and the cut and cover section of the falaj from the Iron Age Period and to precisely study the evolution of this area. Further research will maybe help us to study the connection between this area, determine the chronology of the public buildings and find the location of the water sources during the period of occupation.

At the present point of research, the fortress appears as a structured construction, made owing to a plan which suggests a strong political organization. Its dating seems quite close to the one which we gave to the different public buildings of Masafi-1, although its abandonment might have been somewhat earlier than the abandonment of the Masafi-1 area (stone building C). There are in Masafi-1 several episodes of abrupt changes (the first and the second public buildings have burnt and have been replaced by buildings made in another type of construction material); one of these might be related to the Masafi-2 ‘big fire’. 14C dating and material studies are in course and we hope they will lead to a better chronology of Masafi evolution.

Several elements might explain the location of the fortress on the slope of the rocky hill, in an area which was a difficult location for a construction and more particularly for a regular construction:

+ One of them is the wish to leave to agriculture all the space located downwards to the country of areas located along the foothills. The agriculture space at Masafi was totally surrounded by mountains. It could be optimized through densification of agriculture but hardly protected.

+ Another reason was the necessity of protecting the area from the west along the opening of Wadi Siji.

Further

Thanks to the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority for making this report and the photos available.

Take a Look

Some photos taken of the different Masafi sites can be seen in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

Image: A bird’s-eye view of the Masafi-1 site.

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Spectacular Opening of Monodrama Festival at Fujairah Fort

The opening ceremony had been delayed and it was an unusually chilly evening but the opening ceremony on Sunday night was a spectacular event of dance, sound and light that made full use of the backdrop of the Fujairah Fort.

Opening Speeches

The evening commenced with opening speeches by His Excellency, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani (Festival Chairman) and Mr. Tobias Biancone (Director General of the International Theatre Institute) that paid tribute to His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and noted the tremendous support that he has given to the promotion of culture and drama in the emirate.

The presence of His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah and His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority was much appreciated by the international and local audience and added great importance to the ceremony and festival.

His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Afkham (Festival Director and Secretary-General of ITI) gave a speech in which he recognized the contribution of Peter Brook. It included video footage of the delegation that visited Peter Brook in Paris and his appreciation in receiving the first Fujairah award in theatre excellence.

This section concluded with the Ruler of Fujairah acknowledging the festival’s sponsors and congratulating the winners of the International Playwriting Competition (Arabic): Dr. Milha Abdulla (KSA), Taha Adnan (Morocco) and Metwalli Abu Nasser (Palestine).

The Opening in Numbers

The newly created outdoor theatre had a capacity of 1,000 people, each of whom would have got a great view of the stage, the fort and the Hajar Mountains. There were 300 technicians on location during the ceremony and 20 international experts in light and sound. 50 musicians contributed to the music in the opening ceremony.

30 days were needed to install the stage and 180 days were needed to prepare for the ceremony.

‘The World Passes Through Here’

The main event was a nourishing ‘light dramatic and artistic meal’ written by local playwright and poet, Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, narrated by Asaad Khalifa and directed by Eyad Al Khzouz. Music was composed by Walid Al Hashim and the dance was performed by the Ornina Group for Theatrical Dance.

It presented the history of the region down through the centuries with explorers arriving by ship, the chapters of conflict and the local characters shaped by the mountains and the sea. It concluded by featuring the formation of the UAE and the development of Emirati culture with a large number of Emirati men emerging from the fort and doing the youla dance while the dance troupe moved across the stage.

The dancers were colourful and bright, the sound effects dramatic and the visual images screened on the fort’s façade created impact and tension.

Last night’s event was an opportunity to welcome international guests and relay something of Fujairah’s history identity and current cultural contribution. Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani and the dancers, musicians and technicians took full advantage of the opportunity and did the emirate proud.

The evening concluded with the ubiquitous fireworks display that punctuated the sky and got the festival off to a rip-roaring start.

Take a Look

Some photos from the Opening Ceremony can be seen in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources and photos are posted in the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Canon balls hitting the Fujairah fort!

Fujairah Municipality Shares in World Summit on Future Energy

Members of the Fujairah Municipality’s Department of General Services and the Department of the Environment participated in the World Summit on Future Energy which concluded yesterday in Abu Dhabi.

The Fujairah personnel shared in a number of meetings that addressed new energy solutions, clean energy, innovation, investment and visions for the future.

The Fujairah Municipality had a stand at the event that attracted the attention of a number of international dignitaries, heads of State and foreign diplomats, many of whom were eager to discuss ways they might be able to cooperate with the Municipality and explore investment opportunities in the emirate of Fujairah.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

RMIT University and Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Exploring Partnership

Between 12-28 January the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) is hosting researchers from the School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. The RMIT research team is comprised of Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith, Dr David Silcock, Mr Lucas Holden and Mr Mohamed Hassani.

One of the purposes of this visit by the Australians is to explore the possibility of establishing a research partnership that will be of mutual benefit.

The Australian team is equipped and experienced in the use of 3D terrestrial laser scanning which might record heritage landmarks such as the Fujairah Fort or the Bidyah Mosque. The team stated that the accurate reconstruction of cultural, heritage or archaeological sites is very important and is best done by 3D documentation rather than employing the traditional surveying techniques. The terrestrial 3D laser scanning is increasingly becoming the standard tool for the high-resolution 3D documentation of archaeological, cultural, heritage and natural sites.

The team is working with the FTAA to establish three-dimensional models for a number of important cultural and natural tourist features in the emirate of Fujairah.

PhD student Mohamed Hassani’s enrolment at RMIT and subsequent research has been the catalyst for the exploration of this Melbourne—Fujairah partnership. Mohamed’s research, using laser technology, focuses on the impact of climate change on Fujairah’s natural and cultural resources and in turn how these might have an influence on tourism. The 3D technology will, over time, provide accurate measurement of changes which is useful realizing the impact of climatic factors and the potential for earthquakes in the emirate that could put these sites at great risk.

RMIT University, like most universities around the world, is keen to have an impact globally. What is envisaged is not a business deal with a company—client relationship but a research partnership that will give RMIT a fascinating field of study and research for its professors and teachers, while providing a valuable resource in recording Fujairah’s cultural and heritage landmarks.

The team was quizzed on how their research and laser technology might advance tourism in the emirate. Hassani said that Fujairah has much to gain from tourism which provides visitors with an ‘authentic Arabic experience’ and opens up further insights into the lives of people who have lived in this region for hundreds of years. Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith said that visitors benefit greatly from having learnt something of the country they are about to visit and the 3D models will greatly increase their knowledge and curiosity.

The reconstruction of cultural, heritage or archaeological sites is very important and requires 3D documentation. Traditionally, this has been done using traditional surveying techniques. However in this research project the researchers from RMIT are using terrestrial 3D laser scanning. This will become the future standard tool for high-resolution 3D documentation of archaeological, cultural, heritage and natural sites.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Take a Look

More photos of the Aussie team can be seen in this photo album.

Snooker Team Falters in Fujairah but Al Howri Delivers for UAE

Mohammed Shehab and Mohammed Al Joakar of UAE Team 'A' crashed out at the semifinal stage of the Second West Asian Championships snooker team event, but Hani Al Howri lifted the pal of gloom with a gold medal-winning performance in the 8-ball pool singles.

Al Howri, who has been at the forefront of the UAE pool for a long time, turned in a superb show to demolish Ahmad Al Jalaad of Jordan 9-4 in the title showdown on the last day of the Championships at the Concorde Fujairah hotel on Saturday.

The prize presentation ceremony was presided over by HH Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Al Fujairah, who also inaugurated the new official web site of the UAE Billiards & Snooker Association (UAEBSA). The new bilingual UAEBSA web site aims to provide billiard sports fans with timely coverage of the events taking place not only Emirates but also the entire West Asian region.

The Second West Asian Championships featuring more than 60 top players from 13 countries was staged under the auspices of HH Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, an ardent sports supporter.

Al Howri was beaming with joy and pride after capturing his first major title in the past six years.

He said: "My first match had been against the top Kuwaiti player and beating him 7-2 has been the key to my success in this tournament. It was a big win for me and I felt very confident.

"Later on, there were only tough matches for me but I kept my cool through them and was rewarded with victories. The 7-6 triumph over the Iranian professional Takhti Zarekhani in the quarter-finals came as a further boost.

"Then when I beat Salah Al Rimawi, who is the top-ranked pool player in UAE at the moment, in the semifinal, I knew I was in with a realistic chance of winning the gold medal and I am happy that I did.

"I am grateful to my teammates for being on my side throughout those games in the tournament."

As for the snooker team competition, there was dejection in store for both pre-tournament favourites -- UAE Team 'A' and Iran.

The UAE Team 'A' pair of Shehab and Al Joakar was upstaged 3-2 by Syria and Iran, spearheaded by reigning world amateur champion Hossein Vafaei, came a cropper against the spirited Qatari duo of Ahmed Saif and Moshen Bukshaisha in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

The gold medal was eventually won by the Syrian team of Omar Alkojah and Karam Fatima, who vanquished Qatar 3-0 with ease in the final.

The UAE campaign in the Second West Asian Championships ended with a respectable haul of one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

The third episode of the West Asian Championships will be staged in Lebanon next year.

This press release has been written by Hanif Hassan, UAEBSA International.

Further

Shehab Settles for Silver in West Asian Snooker Champs at Fujairah, FIF,

Star Shehab Goes Down Fighting in Snooker Championship at Fujairah, FIF, 17 January 2012.

UAE Assured of Place in Snooker Finals at Fujairah, FIF, 16 January 2012.

Snooker Progress at Fujairah and the Knockout Stage Draw, FIF, 15 January 2012.

Al Joakar Leads at Second West Asian Snooker Champs at Fujairah Concorde Hotel, FIF, 14 January 2012.

Schedule and Times for West Asian Billiards and Snooker Champs, Fujairah, FIF, 14 January 2012.

Concorde Fujairah Hotel on Cue for International Billiards & Snooker Champs, FIF, 12 January 2012.

13 Countries to Compete in Billiards and Snooker at Fujairah Concorde Hotel, FIF, 10 January 2012.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, info and photos is posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Images: Hani Al Howri of the UAE proudly poses with his 8-ball singles trophy on Saturday.

Opening Ceremony of Monodrama Festival Postponed Due to Death of Sharjah Ruler's Brother

The Opening Ceremony of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival will not be held tonight (Friday 20^th January) at the Fujairah Fort due to the death of Sheikh Humaid bin Mohammad Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, brother of the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi.

Condolences are extended to the Ruler and relatives at Al Badie Palace and the people of Sharjah.

Opening Ceremony Now On Sunday

The Opening Ceremony and associated performance of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival will now be held at 8pm Sunday, 22^nd January 2012, at the Fujairah Fort.

The Saturday performances will continue to run as per the original program (download).

The theatrical presentations originally planned for Sunday will be rescheduled probably to the last two nights of the Festival but the definitive decisions will be announced in the Amended Program.

The Amended Program will be available from this posting when it comes to hand.

Download the summaries of the theatrical performances of the Fujairah Festival.

Further

Sharjah Ruler’s Court Mourns Death of Humaid Al Qasimi, Gulf News, 20 January 2012.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photographs are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Sheikh Rashid Welcomes Guests to Fujairah International Monodrama Festival

Commending the UAE

His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi (pictured), Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority commended the comprehensive development that the United Arab Emirates has achieved in various fields under the guidance and vision of its wise leadership, led by President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

Rulers Supporting the Arts

Sheikh Rashid Al Sharqi stated that the development and prosperity the country has seen through its years of Union is a direct result of the great and continuous support of its wise leadership to science, education, culture and arts. His Highness said that these fields are pillars for growth, development and prosperity in the present time, and the basis for formulating the future and maintaining civilization for the coming generations.

Welcome to Fujairah

These words of praise came in the welcoming statement issued on behalf of His Highness for the commencement of the Fifth Fujairah International Monodrama Festival (FIMF) that starts its activities tonight, Friday 20 January 2012 with the opening ceremony being held at the front area of Fujairah Fort.

The ceremony is under the patronage of His Highness, the Ruler of Fujairah and it is being conducted in the presence of a large number of intellectuals and art and media personalities from the UAE, the Arab World and other countries.

Civilized Demonstration of Refined Human Thought

Al Sharqi, as Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Festival, welcomed the festival's guests of honor who include artists, writers, directors, and theatre groups that are participating in the fifth edition of the festival. His Highness spoke of the importance of the FIMF:

“It is a civilized demonstration of the refined human thought which believes in the message of art about the necessity of achieving closeness between nations, communication between cultures and joint understanding of human issues. Art can achieve all that through the messages of openness and free thinking which people belonging to different sectors of arts are carrying. At the top of them is theatre. Theatre is the master of all the arts.”

First Award Winner

His Highness also paid tribute to renowned British theatre director Peter Brook and congratulated him for being the first winner of the Fujairah Award for Excellence in Theatre:

"It's a great pleasure that the first winner of this award which carries the name of our beloved Emirate is a legendary personality in the theatre world. Brook has made great contributions to the art world throughout his career. Through his performance and experimental theatre, he developed the concepts of the progressive art and held the torches of development for more than six decades. His art involves all civilizations, cultures, races and ethnicities to create an epic that is based on creativity and aims at the refinement of thought and conscience."

Fujairah and the Arts

Sheikh Rashid said:

"Fujairah is always looking forward to this gathering and celebration of the arts that is held on its lands once every two years. Although it's not an annual event, it grows and continues between Fujairah and the artists of the world in an honest attempt to bring the world closer and strengthen the love and ties that connect us to other nations. We appreciate and value these ties as we are united with the entire world under the most supreme title: humanity. In this time of worldwide struggle with its sweeping currents, we need a touch of purity and tolerance and no other art can express that better than theatre."

Get Close to the Reality of Our Lives

His Highness Sheikh Rashid Al Sharqi concluded his welcome with further significant words:

“We wish you a pleasant stay in Fujairah and we invite you to get closer to the reality of our lives, to take a look at the achievements of our country in order to convey to your people a true vision of our customs, traditions, and heritage. It is our desire and ambition that the development, prosperity, peace, and security that we are blessed to have in our country, as a result of the sincere efforts of our leadership, reaches the whole world to create a better tomorrow and a brighter future.”

Opening Ceremony Details

The opening ceremony will take place in a new, outdoor theatre under the shadow of the Fujairah Fort. It commences at 8pm. The seating capacity is approximately 800. There are no tickets. Admission is free. First come, first seated unless you have been given an invitation to sit in the VIP section of the theatre.

The opening ceremony will include a theatrical dance show entitled, ‘Fujairah…The World Passes Through Here’, written by playwright and poet Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Festival Chairman, and directed by Eyad Al Khzouz. The show’s music is composed by Walid Al Hashim and the performance by the Ornina Theatrical Dance Group.

Program and Drama Summaries

Downloadable links of the Festival Program with a synopsis of each dramatic presentation is available from this article: The World Passes Through Here, FIF, January 2012.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.