Sharjah: The second edition of the Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival will kick off on Thursday, with a line-up of events and plays hosted by five different countries, it was announced on Tuesday.

The festival, which will be held for five nights in the desert venues along the Maliha road until December 19, will be open to the public who will be able to experience the spirit of desert heritage, organisers said.

The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and by the Theatre Department of the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information.

Visitors will enjoy five theatre shows from five different countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Mauritania and Jordan.

On each day, one country will introduce a play based on their own desert theme. It will be followed by a panel discussion about the show.

Visitors will also get an opportunity to ride camels and horses, eat traditional food of the host country, and children can play traditional games and get the chance to win traditional gift items offered by the Theatre Department, they said.

Among the other prizes are five gold coins which will be distributed to one lucky winner on each day.

Event organisers have set up tents for visitors who want to experience camping in the desert with three meals to be offered to them as part of the programme. These tents are facilitated with toilets, they said.

The opening ceremony of the festival will be attended by Shaikh Sultan and a play based on an epic poem written by him will be held.

All of the festival facilities and services will be open to the public for free, organisers added

Transportation will be made available at Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah to the festival venues located at Maliha road, Al Kuhaif, towards Al Madam and Nazwa exit.

Deatils

What: Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival

When: December 15-19

Where: Maliha road, Al Kuhaif, towards Al Madam and Nazaw exit. Location map on Instagram account @shjtheatredept

Tickets: Free entry