Michel Roggo’s ‘Desert Water’ Photo Exhibition of Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, UAE

Photographs of Wadi Wurayah, live music and fine food all combined to make for a superb community event at the Fujairah Women’s College (HCT) this week (11 April 2011).

The central part of the evening was the viewing of the photographic exhibition entitled ‘Desert Water’ by the Swiss photographer, Michel Roggo.

Not to be outdone, HCT students undertaking a photographic class this semester added to the exhibition with their recent photos taken of Wadi Wurayah.

Preliminaries

Dr Dave Pelham, Director of HCT Fujairah, held the informal programme together.

Dr Pelham paid tribute to the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, not only for his patronage of the exhibition but his consistent and generous support of events that strengthen the community spirit of Fujairah and conserve the emirate’s beauty and environmental treasures.

The Consul General of the Swiss Council of Dubai noted the beauty of the Hajar Mountains in Fujairah and introduced Michel Roggo to the many people in attendance.

Swiss Photographer

Michel Roggo was born in Switzerland and he is an award winning photographer who has published over 10,000 pictures from many parts of the world.

His accolades have included the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2004, 2008 and 2010 and he was runner-up as European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009.

Roggo specializes in subjects related to fresh water fauna, flora and fish. Most of his projects have been developed over long periods of time and many of the images have been taken under water.

Focus on Fujairah

On the invitation of the Emirates Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi, Michel Roggo worked in the UAE in November 2010 on ‘The Freshwater Project’ in Wadi Wurayah (Fujairah) and Wadi Shawka (Ras al Khaimah). The goal was to produce a photographic documentation of some important freshwater environments in the UAE as part of a larger global project.

Capturing pictures in different biospheres of underwater worlds and landscapes, the element of water has always been central to Roggo’s attention.

Exhibitions in the Emirates

The Embassy of Switzerland and the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF, in association with the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, have organized two simultaneous exhibitions, one in Fujairah and the other in Abu Dhabi.

Each exhibition includes 40 pictures by Michel Roggo and a video presentation with photos from Rub’ al Khal and Wadi Wurayah.

Fujairah Exhibition

The Fujairah exhibition of ‘Desert Water’, which includes pictures of Wadi Wurayah by the HCT photographic students, is open to the public and will continue to be displayed in the Multi Purpose Hall of the Fujairah Women’s College until 17 April 2011.

In Abu Dhabi the exhibition is in the Ghaf Art Gallery until 16 April.

Take a Look

Some of the photos of Wadi Wurayah taken by Michel Roggo can be viewed in this Photo Album.

See the 10 minute video presentation entitled Desert Waters which captures the beauty of Rub’ al Khal and Wadi Wurayah. This was enjoyed at the HCT exhibition.

Learn more about Michel Roggo and view his photographic albums on this web site.

Learn more about the Desert Waters Project in the UAE.

Some photos taken on the night of the Fujairah exhibition are posted in this photo album.

Some photos of Wadi Wurayah by the HCT photographic students will be posted (inshallah) in this photo album.

Further

Visiting Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah During and After Storms and Floods, FIF, 18 April 2011.

Michel Roggo’s ‘Desert Water’ Photo Exhibition of Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 13 April 2011.

Swedish Princess and Emirati Prince Make a Right Royal Visit in Fujairah, FIF, 20 January 2011.

The Royal Treatment for Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah, FIF, 19 January 2011.

Resources for Visiting Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 17 May 2010.

How Do We Get to Wadi Wurayah? FIF, 19 May 2009.

Geoff Pound

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

Images: Michel Roggo, looking for a good picture on one of his trips in the Amazon. (Photo under copyright to and posted courtesy of Michel Roggo)