Abu Dhabi expo ends with bigger promise

Abu Dhabi: Falconers, horsemen, hunting enthusiasts and cultural aficionados can look forward to a bigger and better display of equipment and technology at next year's edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), a senior official said in the capital yesterday.

In pictures: Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition

The newer features and format of the exhibition, which are still under discussion, will be introduced to mark the event's ten-year anniversary in 2012, Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, event director of Adihex and communication director of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach), told Gulf News.

"We are spurred on to have a bigger show next year given the resounding success of this year's exhibition, which has attracted thousands of visitors from the UAE as well as from the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain," Al Qubaisi said.

He was speaking on the last day of the ninth edition of Adihex, which ended yesterday after a four-day run.

In addition to the usual display of hunting and equestrian equipment, including custom-made saddles and exclusive hunting rifles, this year's event also saw more than 24 cats and 30 dogs adopted from the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.

The registration of falconry on Unesco's world heritage list had also improved the profile of the exhibition, with heritage experts saying it was an ideal way of passing on the tradition to younger generations.

Anchoring identity

"Culture is always about man's relationship with animals and things, and cultural knowledge needs to be preserved because it anchors the identity of a nation. Adihex is therefore a perfect opportunity to transmit this knowledge to future generations," said Dr Sulayman Najm Khalaf, intangible heritage expert at the Adach.

"Unesco also requires countries to safeguard traditions included in its prestigious list, and since the UAE was a leader in this initiative, this exhibition now plays an even more important role in promoting the country's cultural heritage," the official explained.

In addition to advances in falconry being showcased at the exhibition, Adihex witnessed the announcement of next year's racing calendar for Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Fegentri Cup, a racing series for amateur female riders. Among 596 exhibitors from 28 countries were a number of firms selling exclusive collectible items of all kinds, including Fausti, a boutique for fine Italian shotguns.

‘Exquisite collector'

"We have had a presence at Adihex for the past three years, and we see a great demand for our exquisite collector guns that range from Dh73,000 to Dh50,000 a piece," said Giovanna Fausti, owner of Fausti.

Eid Mustafa, supervisor at the Al Khaleej stall, also said there had been great interest this year in the fine handmade swords and daggers they offered.

Visitors flocked to the exhibition from all parts of the globe. Katy, a 25-year-old British resident, said she was visiting the UAE just to attend Adihex. "I live in London, and am here to get some inspiration for a future business venture," she said.