Assilah: The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage said it will support three Emirati engraving students at the Assilah Festival in Morocco this month.

The students are to display their art work at a workshop organised prior to the official opening of the festival on July 10 at the Palais de Raissouni, also known at the Culture Palace, in the centre of Assilah's Medina.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage said it had organised an extensive series of events under the title of: "Renewable Energy: A Leap Towards Human Development".

The authority said there would be more than 45 countries taking part in this year's festival.

The Assilah Festival has been described as one of the most important art festivals in the Middle East and North Africa.

It seeks to promote cultural exchange and create a culture of open dialogue between different countries. Its ethos is described as celebrating the values of peace and tolerance.

Tucked away in the palace's pristine courtyard, the students will work on their engraving under the watchful eyes of Hector Saunier; the director of the renowned Counterpoint Gallery in Paris and a regular visitor to Assilah.

New experience

One of the students, Amal Al Shehi, said she was shocked when she heard she was going to Assilah.

"I was surprised but very happy when I heard I was coming here. I had never been to Morocco and so this is a new experience," she said.

The 21-year-old Zayed University student lists everyone from Emirati artist Jalal Luqman to Pablo Picasso as inspirations.

"I am still a student so this is a starting point for me, this is where it begins," Amal said.

Nervous but enthusiastic, the three students were quietly preparing for their art exhibition.

One of the instructors helping the students will be Ayoub Bouallaga, a 25-year-old volunteer from Rabat. He was full of praise for the Emirati students, saying they were open to new ideas.

"They are very friendly and we have got to know each other quickly. They listen and are very polite and well mannered," he said.

Bouallaga knew little about the UAE before the students came but said he was now determined to visit.