The second International Festival of Falconry takes wings

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the second International Festival of Falconry took the wings yesterday in the City of Al Ain, UAE. The Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) in cooperation with the Emirates Falconers' Club and the Council of British Falconers.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage in the Court of HH the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director General of ADACH stressed that this international event seeks to celebrate the registration of Al Ain as part of the international tangible heritage at UNESCO and commemorate the First International Falconry Conference (IFC), which was inaugurated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, in December 1976 in order to preserve falconry as an important element of the UAE national heritage and to highlight the country's efforts to preserve the environment and heritage.

The Festival also aims to celebrate the registration of Al Ain as part of the international tangible heritage at UNESCO and promote Abu Dhabi as a unique destination for cultural tourism and a platform for dialogue among cultures and peoples.

"ADACH is intensifying its organizational, logistical, promotional and media preparations to host this unique event described by international experts as the world's biggest gathering of falconers throughout history," said Abdallah Al Qubaisi, Director of the Festival and Director of the Communication Department at ADACH.
- Emirates News Agency, WAM