Tradition enhances Eid festivities in Abu Dhabi
Popular venues in Abu Dhabi gear up to entertain families and visitors with a number of shows and events during the Eid holidays
Abu Dhabi: As residents in the capital prepare for the festivities signalling the end of Ramadan, popular venues have geared up to engage families and visitors with a number of shows and events during the Eid holiday.
Continuing with the cultural activities that are organised throughout Ramadan, traditional activities will dominate the proceedings on Eid.
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) will continue hosting its Ramadan and Eid Festival, which features a big souq spread out from Halls 1-6 of the centre.
A spokesperson from Adnec said the souq had proved to be very popular throughout Ramadan.
"Visitors to the bazaar can purchase traditional apparel, sample Arabian delicacies, and avail themselves of the henna artistes around the souq," the spokesperson said.
From the second day of Eid, guided tours in the morning and afternoon will captivate visitors to the architecturally resplendent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
In addition to learning about the traditions of Ramadan and Eid, visitors will receive a complimentary pack of heritage postcards to take home, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre announced.
At the Khalidiya Mall, people can be photographed with a falcon and go on free camel rides in the evening, while children can enjoy riding a pony.
"We have had these rides available throughout Ramadan and they will continue till the last day of Eid," Praveen C. Y., assistant mall manager, told Gulf News.
He also said that traditional dances like the dabke would capture the mood of the season, and that characters of the popular cartoon Freej would make an appearance on the first day of Eid.
"It is all part of the Arabian Mirage arrangement at the mall, and we hope visitors will continue to enjoy the shows throughout the break," C.Y. added.
Arabian folklore will take centre stage during the Eid break at the Al Wahda Mall, with a planned visit from famous Egyptian singer Hosni Mujahid either this evening or Saturday evening.
Stick dance
Performers will also stage the Emirati stick dance on the first day of Eid, while the second day will see Egyptian dancers captivating the audience with their art.
"We want to give visitors a real feel for the local culture, and our events coincide with the festive and traditional feel of the season," M. Nauman Thakur, mall general manager, told Gulf News.
He also added that the mall expected about 50,000 visitors during the three days of festivities.
Festive decorations at Marina Mall, including displays of camels and a traditional fort, will charm visitors.
Dancers and clowns will parade the aisles of Abu Dhabi Mall, while displays of a majlis, and henna artiste will extend the Eid spirit to mall-goers.
