Discover Abu Dhabi Festival Opens in Moscow to Showcase UAE Culture and Heritage
Moscow, The Gulf Observer: The Discover Abu Dhabi Festival opened at Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, bringing the culture, heritage and hospitality of the UAE capital to Russian audiences through August 23.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in the Russian Federation, the five-day festival is being held as part of the Moscow Mayor’s “Summer in Moscow” programme, with the support of the Government of Moscow.
The free public event features live cultural performances, traditional craft demonstrations, Emirati cuisine and interactive workshops designed to provide visitors with an immersive experience of Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage.
Visitors can enjoy traditional music ensembles as well as performances of Al-Ayyala and Al Harbiya. Al-Ayyala, a traditional Emirati performance combining music, poetry and coordinated movement, is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Several dedicated pavilions highlight different aspects of Emirati traditions. The House of Artisans presents traditional crafts including Talli embroidery, Khos palm-leaf weaving, Sadu weaving and pottery, with skilled artisans conducting live demonstrations and workshops.
At Bait Al Gahwa, visitors can learn about the traditional preparation and serving of Arabic coffee in the Emirati majlis, while the Maritime Pavilion highlights Abu Dhabi’s longstanding seafaring heritage through demonstrations of rope-making, pearl-diving equipment, fishing-net crafting and Gargoor fish-trap making.
An interactive dome provides visitors with 360-degree visual projections showcasing Abu Dhabi’s landmarks, cultural sites and natural landscapes.
The festival also includes retail areas offering traditional Emirati souvenirs, handcrafted products and perfumes, alongside food stalls serving regional dishes.
The Discover Abu Dhabi Festival is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00 at Manezhnaya Square and will continue through August 23.
