Experience tradition at first-ever Abu Dhabi Maritime Heritage Festival
An ode to emirate’s rich maritime history, the event will bring traditions back to life
It’s time to relive the glorious maritime history of Abu Dhabi with the first-ever Maritime Heritage Festival opening in the capital on Thursday, March 18, 2022. The event, which is being organised by Abu Dhabi Culture, will allow visitors to experience the emirate’s cherished maritime tradition first hand and will be held at the Al Bahar Corniche in Abu Dhabi. The festival will be open until March 27, 2022.
From the original days when pearl diving and fishing were among the biggest commercial activities in the emirate, the 10-day festival seeks to acknowledge the past, while informing future generations of the maritime heritage of Abu Dhabi.
The festival harks back to the time when people in Abu Dhabi lived a sustainable life, and in perfect harmony with nature. It also sheds light on how these people learned skills that have enabled them to prosper in those difficult times.
During the festival, visitors will experience the setting of a local coastal village, which will allow them to view life through the eyes of the emirate’s ancestors. There will be traditional markets, social gatherings, along with seafaring tales related by sailors and tradespeople for an immersive experience.
In essence, the Maritime Heritage Festival pays homage to the origin stories of the emirate.