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Al Etihad
24-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Lammah Al Bahr (Gathering by the Sea) festival showcases events' role in driving engagement and strengthening community ties
24 June 2025 14:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Lammah Al Bahr (Gathering by the Sea) has officially closed following its inaugural six-month season, leaving a lasting impact on both the economy and community of Al Dhafra Region. What began as a seaside festival on the shores of Al Mugheirah Beach quickly grew into a major event, providing a destination for over 50,000 visitors and residents of all ages to enjoy a blend of adventure, arts, culture, and entertainment, with the majority of footfall recorded in just four 400 performances and live demonstrations of Al-Sadu weaving, pottery, and Arabic calligraphy took place at The Heritage Zone, while on Al Manara Stage, visitors were treated to a mix of live music, storytelling, and local dance by Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Lammah Al Bahr created a meaningful platform for homegrown talent, artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to showcase their products and connect with wider audiences, further supporting Abu Dhabi's broader diversification and sustainable development initiative is setting in motion ADIO's long-term vision to transform the Al Dhafra region into a thriving investment of Regional Development at Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Mohamed Ali Almarar, said, 'Lammah Al Bahr served as a clear representation of what Al Dhafra region has to offer, showcasing its strong potential to become a competitive destination for investment and tourism. By empowering local businesses and nurturing Abu Dhabi's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the festival reflects our strategy and continuous efforts to develop all areas of the Emirate by creating an attractive investment environment, promoting sustainable development and driving economic diversification.'The festival welcomed visitors with an experience shaped by a deep-rooted connection to Emirati heritage and Al Dhafra's rich maritime history. By highlighting traditional boat building, pearl diving, and fishing through art and educational workshops, the festival helped deepen visitors' understanding of Emirati Al Bahr was home to more than 25 activations, including a range of adrenaline-pumping activities, such as an aqua island, the Falcon Zipline, Warrior's Path and competitive sports tournaments, padel tennis, beach volleyball, and football competitions, as well as water sports were filled with family activities including carnival games, rides and a dedicated kids' play area featuring board games, an adventure net, a doughnut slide, Al Dhannah's Peak, a climbing tower and giant inflatables. Visitors were also provided access to more than 20 free experiences, as well as 26 food and beverage vendors and 34 local retail vendors selling handmade crafts and festival's special events included a dynamic line-up of activities that had visitors counting down to every weekend's new off strong in February with competitive fitness showdowns, the Precision Elite event attracted 450 participants, followed by the Precision Oxygen, which pushed 200 athletes to their festival hosted a series of Ramadan tournaments, bringing together 1,000 visitors to watch exciting padel, beach volleyball, and beach football tournaments played a key role in promoting community engagement for Al Dhafra residents and visitors to compete and bringing the Original Culprit Throwdown 4.0's fierce ladies-only competition to the coastline, the festival treated its women visitors to a range of fitness challenges by the beach, drawing 265 participants and visitors. The Arabian Warrior obstacle course race made its Abu Dhabi debut in April, bringing adrenaline-fuelled challenges to the coast. The race hosted 1,128 participants tackling obstacles that challenged both physical and mental the community to get active by the sea, a X-Pulse Series drew an impressive 787 participants across its two editions, as well as a further 228 participants for the inflatable showdown. Bringing a special finale to the festival was the Glow Run, transforming Al Mugheirah Beach into a glowing racetrack that brought 350 participants together for a luminous evening of community, fun, and initiatives throughout the festival hosted 350 visitors, while families gathered around a campfire for a memorable camping experience, which hosted 1,352 visitors in May alone. All of the festival's exciting activities were the result of more than 95 public-private partnerships with collaborators such as the Ruler's Representative Court – Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Department of Culture & Tourism, Experience Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Emirates Red Crescent, National Rehabilitation Centre UAE, Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, Family Development Foundation, UAE Youth Council for Entrepreneurship, Tadweer Group, SEHA – Al Dhafra Hospitals, Al Dhafra Testahel, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
Al Etihad
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi turns down the heat with snow parks and artistic adventures
18 June 2025 00:14 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)As temperatures climb in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is embracing summer with a refreshing wave of indoor experiences. From cutting-edge art experiences and oceanic wonders to sports havens and adrenaline-packed theme parks, the capital is brimming with places that offer cool relief and creative energy all summer long. Arts, Culture & EntertainmentAt the Cultural Foundation, visitors can immerse themselves in Malaysia's vibrant contemporary art scene through "To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia: Highlights from the AFK Collection", running until September 10. The exhibition offers a rich view into Malaysia's creative independence and artistic evolution. Running alongside it is "Maitha Abdalla: Between Metamorphosis and Reality", showcasing a mix of paintings and sculptures until August families, the long-running "Crafts and Play" exhibit, open until June 25, invites children aged 3 to 12 to learn about Emirati weaving traditions through hands-on games centred on Al-Sadu, Talli, and Khoos Cultural Foundation's Children's Library adds to the family-friendly lineup with daily programming that fosters literacy and imagination. Regular favourites include Storytime, Baby & Me, and Maker Mums. Entry to the library and exhibitions is free, with select workshops requiring prior Cultural Foundation also offers a wide range of paid art classes in painting, ceramics, sewing, and design that cater to the creative minds of all town at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the Middle East debut of "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" opens on July 25 and runs through September 14. The exhibition brings the beloved franchise to life with original props, costumes, and interactive experiences for fans, young and on display is "Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits", a landmark collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art that explores the legacy of Korea's radical contemporary art art studio sessions also continue at Manarat Al Saadiyat, with a full schedule of workshops and drop-in classes for all age lovers can retreat into immersive spaces like teamLab Phenomena in Saadiyat Cultural District. This vast, multi-sensory art destination merges light, sound, and movement to produce artworks that shift and evolve with the Abu Dhabi is also offering plenty to keep visitors engaged - children enjoy free summer access, while general admission is 30% off online, excluding select seasonal can visit the Children's Museum's latest exhibition, "Picturing the Cosmos", a space-themed journey that explores how artists from different cultures interpret the older children and teens, the museum's ArtLab summer programme returns with multi-day workshops in July and August. Participants will explore ancient languages and symbolism, inspired by the story of the Tower of Babel, through collaborative, hands-on art July, the museum will unveil a new 30-minute virtual reality experience that allows guests to travel through time and visit historical empires, from Imperial Rome to Mughal WTC Abu Dhabi has launched a seven-month programme of weekly events and entertainment for all nights take over the public square every Tuesday evening with family-friendly screenings and free popcorn. Thursdays are for gamers, with a dedicated digital zone open from 2pm to 10pm, while Friday evenings feature live music and high-energy musical bingo. Saturdays kick off with morning fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, and is free with a same-day shopping receipt from the mall, and all children under 13 must be accompanied by an 421 Arts Campus in Mina Zayed hosts a contemporary art space with a roster of galleries, workshops and art shows. Housed in converted warehouses, it's both a platform for emerging talent and a welcoming place for community connection over coffee and conversation. Cool Escapes & High-Energy AdventuresIf thrill is what you're after, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi guarantees high-octane fun with the world's fastest rollercoaster, the planet's tallest loop ride, and over 40 record-breaking attractions. For something a little cooler, Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall brings the magic of winter to the desert. Designed as an "Enchanted Forest", the indoor snow park features over 20 rides and attractions, including a polar train, a magical carousel, and a soaring owl-themed ride, all wrapped in immersive marine-inspired magic, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, home to more than 46,000 creatures, offers cool encounters in its ten themed zones. Sharks, rays, and sea turtles are just the beginning, with the educational arm ready to welcome up to 50,000 students a short drive away, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi promises more aquatic adventures with eight immersive realms, 100+ animal encounters, 35 interactive rides, and roaming performances that merge education with Yas Mall launched a new Fitness & Wellness series, which runs until December. Held in the cool interiors of the Prayer Hall Corridor, classes like Pilates, Flex & Flow, Cardio & Core, and Full Body Fitness are led by local instructor Azza Al Mughairy and open to all levels with limited Sports City (ZSC) offers another summer option for indoor fitness lovers, featuring everything from boxing and futsal to tennis and early morning refreshing ice-skating rink offers the perfect escape from the summer heat, complemented by a massive 40-lane bowling centre and the city's largest billiards and snooker hall. It also caters to niche and regional interests, with spaces for hurling, camogie, and Ultimate Frisbee. And if you're in the mood for a relaxed outdoor stroll without breaking a sweat, head to the UAE's first-ever air-conditioned pedestrian walkway in Al Nahyan. Opened by the Department of Municipalities and Transport in late 2024, the path stays at a breezy 24°C year-round thanks to underground cooling systems, heat-filtering roofing, and sound-muffling walls. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Leaders
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Lavish Reception: Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out Lavender Carpet for Trump
When the US President, Donald Trump, landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, he received a royal reception marked by a tapestry of lavender, a color that has become a defining feature of Saudi identity. When Trump descended from Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, he stepped on a long luxurious lavender carpet rolled out before him, where he was personally greeted by the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The US President was also wearing a lavender tie that perfectly matched the lavish reception. Upon Trump's arrival at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, escorted by a calvary of Arabian horses, he was warmly greeted with another lavender carpet and a personal welcome from the Saudi Crown Prince. The lavender carpet is a unique and symbolic aspect of Saudi Arabia's protocol for welcoming high-profile dignitaries. It has become the Kingdom's official color for ceremonial carpets at state receptions and occasions. In 2021, Saudi Arabia announced it would replace the traditional red carpets with lavender ones, in celebration of the Kingdom's national identity. 'Lavender in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is associated with blossoming wildflowers that carpet the Kingdom's desert landscapes in the spring and is a symbol of Saudi generosity,' the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported at the time. It added that the lavender carpets would be adorned with traditional Al-Sadu patterns as trim. Al-Sadu is conventional woven textile made by Bedouin women. It was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. Lavender flowers 'add a hue of color amid the harsh desert landscape, reflecting the flower's strength, hardiness and inherent beauty,' reflecting the Kingdom's growth, renaissance and transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, according to SPA. Short link : Post Views: 26
