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2018-11-07
ADIHEX: A Unique Window Into UAE’s Rich Cultural Past
The Abu Dhabi International Huntingand Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) is the Middle East‘s most popular and reputed exhibition that promotes UAE culture and traditions. Ever since ADIHEX was launched in 2003, it has remained the only dedicated consumer and trade event in the Middle East for weaponry, equestrian, outdoor and marine sports, safaris, arts and antiques, and preservation of culture and heritage.
Visitors to this year’s event which ran from September 25 to 29 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) had the opportunity to purchase the latest camping, hunting, equestrian and weaponry equipment. The designated heritage centre acquainted them with the rich traditions of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. ADIHEX also featured camel and equestrian activities, saluki beauty contests, art competitions and traditional hunting activities.
The five-day exhibition that celebrated the legacy of UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers Club. This year’s exhibition had ‘The Year of Zayed’ as the overarching theme and focused on the protection of the environment, falconry, sustainable hunting, and equestrianism.
The exhibition brought together more than 650 companies and commercial firms from more than 40 countries, including 170 local exhibitors, 164 international exhibitors and 61 new exhibitors. It covered a total area of more than 40,000 square metres.
The event was organised by the Emirates Falconers’ Club and Informa Middle East, and supported by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) and The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee, in addition to many local, regional and international media partners.
The main sponsor of ADIHEX 2018 was HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, while the Gold sponsors were Etisalat, The National and Arabian Tents, Silver sponsors Wahat Al Zaweya, the Dhabian Equestrian Club, Smart Design LLC and Tiger Properties, and the Bronze sponsors AlMoe and National Geographic.
The expo attracted extensive participation of local and international companies in related fields such as tourism, safaris, marine sports, outdoor leisure and vehicle equipment, in addition to arts, crafts and entertainment for children.
HE Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of ADIHEX and Secretary General of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, said: “The exhibition gives us the opportunity to showcase the most important initiatives and activities that highlights Sheikh Zayed’s personality and his love to promote and spread heritage sports.”
High Profile Visitors
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during his visit to the exhibition, said: “The event provides a key insight into the deeply rooted legacy left by our ancestors.” His Highness underlined the importance of preserving Emirati heritage and doubling efforts to maximise young generations' awareness of their traditions and legacy, lauding the role played by various institutions participating in ADIHEX to enrich the local scene with informative and knowledge-sharing activities.
Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Festivals, Cultural and Heritage Programmes Committee, and Majid Al-Mansouri, Chairman of the exhibition's Supreme Organising Committee.
His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of the emirate of Fujairah visited the booth of Tasleeh, which displayed the latest firearms and tactical items offered by the company.
The exhibition was also graced with the presence of HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Also, the UAE ambassador to Bahrain, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan took a tour of the various pavilions and acquainted himself with some of the participating companies and their role in holding heritage events.
This year’s exhibition was turned into a global destination with many competitions in cultural and recreational activities, and art exhibitions organised by the International Fund for the Houbara Conservation (IFHC).
The Year of Zayed, the “First Falconer”
ADIHEX 2018 coincided with the ‘Year of Zayed’ marking the 100th birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed and highlighted his efforts and activities as the first falconer, who was instrumental in the promotion and development of hunting and equestrian sport, and and was one of the most important leaders in the field of protecting the environment.
Inspired by the Year of Zayed, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) took visitors on a journey through the environmental legacy of UAE’s Founding Father, giving them a close look at Protected Areas, Endangered Species, Regulations, the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.
The interactive Protected Areas zone focussed on how the late Sheikh Zayed established Al Wathba Wetland Reserve as a protected area in 1998 after he arranged the successful breeding of the flamingo for the first time on that site. Today, Al Wathba is the only site in the Arabian Peninsula where flamingos continue to breed regularly. It is an internationally recognised sustainable tourism destination and is one of the 19 protected areas under the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network.
The Endangered Species zone highlighted the efforts of Sheikh Zayed to protect endangered birds and animals through a wide variety of programmes such as a captive-breeding programme for Arabian Oryx. Today, the numbers of Arabian Oryx in the UAE have increased to over 10,000, of which 5,000 are in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. As a result, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has changed the status of the Arabian Oryx from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable” in 2011.
In the Regulations zone, visitors were told about Sheikh Zayed’s efforts in 1966 to protect the environment and biodiversity through the issuance of environmental regulations and laws and the adoption of procedures, controls, and standards for many environmental issues, including the regulation of hunting.
The Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme zone gave details about one of the most successful wildlife release programmes in the world, which he set up in 1995. Since then, 1,857 falcons have been returned to the wild.
In the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital zone, visitors learned about how the late Sheikh Zayed established, in the early 1980s, a small falcon hospital outside of Abu Dhabi. They also had the opportunity to adopt cats and dogs on-site from the Hospital’s Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter. Today, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, managed by EAD, has become the world’s largest falcon hospital in the world and an award-winning sustainable tourism destination.
Finally, the Inspired Citizens zone highlighted Sheikh Zayed’s role in inspiring a new generation of young Emirati environmentalists who are carrying his environmental legacy forward.
The highlight of the stand was a holographic theatre-style experience in the form of a captivating story summarising the late Sheikh Zayed’s environmental legacy.
The exhibition had the largest collection of rare photos of the Sheikh Zayed many of which were taken from falconry hunting trips. These pictures, taken with the lens of the photographer Mohamed Al Khaldi, were exhibited for the first time.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) had a unique pavilion featuring smart technology showcasing its various championships.
The pavilion carried the theme ‘Year of Zayed’, and was designed to reflect the wisdom of the UAE’s Founding Father aimed at connecting his legacy to the younger generation. With a click of a button, using smart gadgets, the pavilion presented pictures and short films about Sheikh Zayed highlighting his role in nation building.
The HHC pavilion also highlighted its various championships and activities, including heritage sports such as Falconry, Saktoun rifle championship, diving, desert trekking, camping, hunting, and equestrian, and other traditional outdoor activities.
Fun Events: Competitions, Live Performances and Heritage Activities
One of the major draws at the expo was the Saluki beauty contest. Saluki is a well-regarded breed of dog in the Middle East since ancient times and is said to be quicker than the greyhound over longer distances. Saluki has been popular for racing as well as hunting in the region. The exhibition also featured live performances such as beauty shows and live shows for horses, K9 dogs, birds, and falcons. ADIHEX 2018 also boastd heritage workshops and many other activities including marine sports in addition to arts and crafts.
Camel Auction and Hunting Activities
For animal enthusiasts and owners, the 16th edition of ADIHEX witnessed a camel auction, as well as an online auction. Also, there were numerous hunting segments including archery shooting range, shooting simulator, paintball, target shooting range and airsoft shooting.
Photo credit: Faisal Al Qaisi,www. adihex.com
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