Dubai heritage season to host 4 weeks Of cultural activities during Dubai shopping festival 2014

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, will shine the spotlight on Emirati heritage at the Dubai Heritage Season, with four weeks of cultural activities during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. Featuring back-to-back activities, the Dubai Heritage Season, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, will provide visitors to the city with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the rich Emirati heritage and culture, through a host of exhibitions, performances, and hands-on workshops. Activating Dubai's key heritage sites, the events coinciding with the 19th edition of the region's foremost shopping and entertainment extravaganza, the Dubai Shopping Festival, will be held at Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood and Hatta Cultural Village. Nasser Juma, Member of the Organising Committee of the Dubai Heritage Season , Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "The sterling repertoire of activities, all of which are being held for the first time under the ?Dubai Heritage Season ,' have been designed to provide visitors with vivid insights into the evolution of the Emirate. With the Dubai Shopping Festival billed to welcome millions of visitors from the world over, the ?Dubai Heritage Season' is the perfect platform for visitors to interact, engage, and appreciate our heritage." The first week of activities will stage an array of cultural shows, followed by a week of revived traditions. The third week will comprise handicrafts, and the last week will feature traditional Emirati products. All of the activities will begin in front of the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, and will then move to other areas within Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood. The week of cultural shows will see performances of Al Ayala, Al Harbiya, Al Razeef, Al Nouban, Al Haban, Al Lewa, and a marine show, as a tribute to some of the proud dances and routines that are fading, and in an effort to preserve their rich cultural roots. Many of the groups will be marking their first performance in Arabic. Bringing to light Emirati weddings, the second week of activities will provide visitors with insights into traditions and customs that are carried out during a wedding. During this week, visitors will also be able to participate in traditional games. The Dubai Heritage Season will dedicate an entire day during this week to orphans, elders, and children with special needs, with a special showcase of activities. From wool making to sword carving and creation of accessories, Emirati handicrafts will take the centrestage during the third week; while the fourth week will play host to an array of exhibitions featuring traditional products created by Emiratis. "The activities during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival will allow visitors to the Emirate a chance to revisit the past, while introducing them to customs that are carried out in the city to date," he added. Hatta Cultural Village will also host activities during the Dubai Shopping Festival spanning handicrafts that are native to the Hatta region, and performances by cultural dance troupes. The Dubai Heritage Season will host activities until April 2014, providing visitors with a wealth of activities to revel in.