Cultural Caravan Showcases Emirati Life and Culture in Masafi, Fujairah

Recently (14 April 2011), a Cultural Caravan staged a celebration of national life and culture at Al Khailaibia (Al Khalabeyah), on the outskirts of Masafi, Fujairah.

This was an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development and was a creative response to a call from His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, to boost national identity and social solidarity.

The cultural caravan was held in cooperation with various organisations that had display booths. These included the HCT and other education institutions, the Red Crescent, the Fujairah Municipality and a safe driving campaign.

There were a number of cultural activities both on stage and off which included play acting, choral singing, poetry reading, traditional dancing, cooking, traditional craft work, the making and repairing of fishing nets, displays of shark jaws, coral, swordfish bills and a private museum collection.

Crown Prince Commendation

The Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, was full of praise for this venture. He stressed the significance of the cultural convoys, and the way they foster a healthy collaboration between public institutions and private corporations to achieve positive social and economic goals for the emirate of Fujairah.

Take a Look

Many thanks to Fujairah HCT, manager and teacher, Andrew Scholtz, for his photographic album of the event which includes scenes of the art of net making, items from the Tayeb Museum, a drum-major leading his pipe-band and a young bard reciting poetry.

Here is the link to Andrew’s photo album.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

Image: An Emirati fisherman demonstrating the art of making nets and the crucial value of the big toe in such a craft!

One of the many photographs in ‘The Cultural Caravan’ Photo Album by Andrew Scholtz.