UNESCO World Heritage Day Celebrated at Fujairah Fort

18 April

UNESCO World Heritage Day is being celebrated on Monday 18 April but also for the next five days in Fujairah, concluding on Friday 22 April.

Each evening of this week, Monday to Friday, the display booths, cultural programme and traditional food stalls will be open from 5.00 to 10pm.

The formal programme will take place on the stage beneath the Fujairah Fort, where the Al Saif Sword Competition was held late in 2010. Display booths and food stalls will be open in the adjoining cultural village.

Official Opening

The World Heritage Day in Fujairah will be officially opened by the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al Sharqi at a ceremony commencing on Monday 18 April 2011 at 5.00pm.

At this ceremony children will be dancing, along with the performance of other traditional activities and the Chairman of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, Ahmed Khalifa Al Shamsi, will be giving some words of welcome and explanation.

Traditional food will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

GCC Collaboration

In addition to the celebration of Emirati culture, the other GCC countries (Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) will each have an exhibition booth in which to showcase their crafts.

Ahmed Al Shamsi said, “There is a cultural similarity between our neighbouring countries and this will be apparent at the display but each country will also seek to showcase some of their unique cultural treasures.”

Take a Look

Some photos at the Fujairah Fort today are in this photo album as the preparations were getting underway by members of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority and staff of the Fujairah Tourism Department.

Geoff Pound

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