Sheikh Zayed Festival concludes activities and events

ABU DHABI, TGO: The Sheikh Zayed Festival concluded its activities on Friday, after four months of daily activities and events at Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

The event was organized under the auspices of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, The festival named after Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in recognition of the fundamental role he played in preserving the traditions and culture of the UAE while leading its people on a comprehensive journey of development, succeeded in attracting huge crowds from worldwide.

Held under the theme “UAE Uniting Civilizations”, the festival reflected the authentic values and beliefs of the culture and society based on openness, coexistence, tolerance, and acceptance of the other.

The festival enjoyed great success enhancing its reputation as a global event that gathers international civilizations within its grounds. The audience was delighted by the huge array of fun and entertaining events for the family, giving visitors the unique experience of interacting with replicas of 24 traditional neighborhoods from around the world, each of which reflected different aspects of other civilizations, with traditional markets, fascinating shows, folkloric dances and music and a wonderful glimpse into other societies.

Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, President of the Camel Racing Federation and Chairman of the festival’s Organizing Committee, thanked President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa for generously sponsoring the festival, and also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his continued support and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his tireless follow-up.

He commended the role of the organizing committee and its efforts to make it such a success and deliver the festival’s cultural and humanitarian message to the world. He also praised the role of the strategic partners, participants, volunteers and task forces.

He stressed that this year’s festival had been exceptional, particularly as it coincided with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the UAE on its 50th anniversary, a glorious occasion where events showcased the values and concepts on which the UAE was founded, and paid homage to the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed, who laid the foundations for the UAE and prepared the land and his people for the future to which the UAE aspires over the next 50 years.

Humaid Saeed Al Neyadi, Director of the Private Office of Sheikh Mansour, and Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the festival, also thanked President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa for his generous sponsorship. He expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for his continued support and Sheikh Mansour for his diligent follow-up.

Al Neyadi stressed that the leadership’s keen interest in sponsoring and supporting the festival contributed to the consolidation of its global reputation for uniting civilizations and reflecting the Emirati culture. He extended his thanks to Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan for his support, follow up and directives.

The organising committee thanked and appreciated all the partners, sponsors, the Abu Dhabi Police, Takatuf volunteers and participating entities in this edition of the Festival.

The festival’s sponsors list included the Diamond sponsor, Dubai Insurance, and Platinum sponsors, Dolphin Energy, Adnoc, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Emirates Insurance, alongside Golden sponsors Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Etisalat, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Al-Futtaim Motors. The Silver sponsors this year included Bin Hamoodah Group, Emirates Steel, Al Ain Pharmacy, Nirvana Travel and Tourism, Bin Azeez Group and RainLight Company.

The list of participating partners this year included the H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival, the Arabian Saluki Centre, the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, the Presidential Camels, the Abu Dhabi Falconer’s Club and the General Women’s Union. The list of supporting partners included the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre, Tadweer, and the Integrated Transport Centre at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport.

Strategic partners this year included the Department of Culture and Tourism, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation the National Library and Archives, and the media partner was Abu Dhabi Media, with the Burjeel Medical Centre as a healthcare partner.