Abu Dhabi: The Ramadan and Eid Festival, organised by Al Multaqa Local and International Exhibition, attracted a number of families during Eid.
The festival, which was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, has become one of the main attractions for Eid shopping in the capital.
Umm Rashid, an Emirati, said: "I come here every Eid. It's an all-inclusive exhibition, that includes all kinds of different items".
Different event
"The great thing about the festival is that it is different. They offer certain items exclusively that you can't purchase elsewhere. You can also buy things here at a lower price than at other venues. I make sure I buy items of all kinds, even food," she added.
Other first-time visitors were also keen on taking part in the event. After hearing about it from various media sources, Armelle Gagnard said she and her family wanted to explore the festival for themselves.
"This is the first time that I've come here," Gagnard, who was accompanied by her three children, aged four, seven, and nine, said.
"I actually read an article about it in a couple of local newspapers, and decided to come visit it," the French expatriate added.
Among some of the prominent stands is one which features hand-made Moroccan abayas [known as Moroccan guftans], which were of varying colours and textures.
"These are all handmade. They are all sewn here in the UAE, but these guftans are sewn in a specific, unique way. We actually have a lot of customers during the festival," a saleswoman at the stand said.
"Prices range from around Dh900 to up to Dh1,800 or more, depending on the design of the piece and how it was made," she added.
Another stand featured at the exhibition was Sahika Hediyelik Esya, which offered various works of framed art, including verses of the Quran in golden frames, ceramic pieces, and Quran holders.
The store owner, Zeynep Tavukcu, is from Turkey. "All my pieces are handmade in Istanbul," Tavukcu said. "This is my first time in the UAE, but I've always wanted to come, as I appreciate the leaders in the country, and what they do for others in need, such as helping the [flood] victims of Pakistan."
