New centre in Dubai to promote culture

A new centre for reviving, promoting and safeguarding the local traditional and cultural heritage will come to life in Dubai under instructions given by H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. The Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Centre for Heritage Revival will act as a platform for all initiatives and activities of Sheikh Hamdan, which seek to promote and deepen indigenous heritage and culture, authentic traditions and values as well as national identity and communicate them to the new generation. The centre will also conduct research and studies on UAE heritage, culture, history and people. Sheikh Hamdan affirmed, 'Revival of heritage is a national duty and necessity and all government and non-government resources should be mobilised to serve that goal because our heritage is the source of our strength and provides historic evidence of the ancient past and true history of the region and the social and cultural lifestyle of the past.' Sheikh Hamdan named Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmouk, Director of Fazza heritage championships at Dubai Crown Prince's Office, as director of the centre. Among its mandate, the centre will bring together Sheikh Hamdan's heritage activities including Fazza championships for falconry, shooting, diving traditional dance (Yula) and hunting with dogs under his umbrella. Under his terms of reference, the new think-tank will establish a data base containing studies, information and statistics on indigenous culture, heritage, folklore and history. Workshops, panel discussions, photo and craft exhibitions and other cultural events will be organised as part of the centre's mission to promote the UAE rich heritage, culture and national identity. Awareness campaigns will tour schools to inform the new generation about local values, culture and traditions. â€"