July 04, 2021/ Socotra Online
Reporting: Ibrahim Youssef -Saad Mohammed -Arif Abdo -Ahmed Jamaan -Ahmed Noah
In the midst of a large official and popular audience with the sheikhs, leaders and chiefs of the Socotra Archipelago, and a large gathering of the people of Socotra, the Sheikh Zayed City 1, the Fifth Edition of Sheikh Zayed Heritage and Folklore Festival for the year 2021 launched, with the support of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
The opening of the festival, which was designed in a distinctive traditional way, witnessed a wide participation of folk bands of Socotri art, marine heritage performances, women’s handicrafts, ancient folk games and display of foods through the participation of Socotra cuisine in the festival, as well as Socotra clothing, which reflected the simple and beautiful life of the Socotri man throughout the ages.
The three-month festival included a Socotra poetry competition, a football tournament, various camel competitions, and other activities that contribute to introducing visitors to Socotra’s rich and diverse heritage that emphasizes the depth of its history and authentic civilization.
In the opening, the first representative of the Socotra Governorate, Raed Al-Juraibi, stressed the importance of the festival in displaying the nature of the ancient life of the Socotra man and preserving it from extinction, as well as introducing the new generation to this distinctive heritage diversity, praising the efforts of the brothers in the UAE for supporting the establishment of this festival on an annual basis and making it a popular outlet and destination for every lover.
The Head of the Southern Transitional Council in Socotra Governorate, Raafat Al-Thaqali, expressed his pleasure in participating in the opening of the Socotra Heritage Festival, which would contribute to preserving heritage and ancient Socotra art, praising the efforts made by those in charge of humanitarian activity for the Khalifa Foundation and their keenness to produce this beautiful annual event in a wonderful manner.
While the Head of the Development Committee Sultan Ali bin Essa bin Afrar indicated that this festival came in light of the interests of the Khalifa Foundation and its keenness to preserve the heritage of Socotra and to highlight it at the world level, noting the efforts made by those in charge of the Khalifa Foundation who always works for Socotra and its renaissance in various fields.
Festival Director/ Anbar Al-Amiri presented the festival’s heritage market, various popular competitions, and traditional and folk shows that delight its visitors and give them the full picture of Socotra’s heritage and its unique diversity of folklore.
