His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the Shindagha heritage sites yesterday (March 25th) and was highly impressed by the culture and heritage displays organized by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
(DTCM).
Following a comprehensive visit of the site HH Sheikh Hamdan said, I am very happy at how things have greatly improved at the Shindagha heritage sites and it feels great for me to tour this site and see such a wonderful display of Arab culture.
He noted that every time he visited the Shindagha sites he learnt something new. This place has so much to offer, I learn something new every time I come here for example, today, I was greatly impressed by the highly progressive skills required to make the bait al jebel (stone house) and how children at the Diving Village were making them with skillfulness, said HH Sheikh
Hamdan.
The sites put up a brilliant display of Arabian heritage and culture amidst an atmosphere of festivity and exuberance and were teeming with visitors.
The official tour began with a warm welcome by young children dressed in traditional attire and then HH Sheikh Hamdan proceeded to the Coin and Currency exhibition.
He visited the House of Talents exhibition in the Obaid bin Thani House and looked at the various artistic exhibits followed by a comprehensive tour of the Arabian Bedouin encampment that features Bedouins from ten countries including the UAE as well as Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Mauritania, Algeria, Syria and Tunisia and turns over a new leaf from a book of Arabian history every day.
The display of traditional song and dance performances that followed from the UAEs ayyallah to the dhahia al samer on the Syrian khaimah (tent) were high-quality as the performers put on a marvelous show with an added spring in their steps dancing with distinctive movements accompanied by a variety of sounds reminiscent of the timeless melodies of chanting Bedouin poets and singers.
HH Sheikh Hamdan took several minutes to walk through the Heritage and Diving Village and the childrens play area at the end of the promenade where Dubai TV is popularizing traditional sports through a dedicated
programme.
Accompanying Sheikh Hamdan on the tour were a number of senior dignitaries including DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem; DTCM Deputy Director General and CEO of DSF, Hussain Ali Lootah and DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin
Hareb.
Mr. bin Sulayem added, We are pleased with HH Sheikh Hamdans comments that are very encouraging and we will endeavor to further progress and add even more exciting activities and events in the future.
We are creating increased awareness among visitors and residents about the historic places and cultural resources that distinguish UAE culture from other countries. We demonstrate the importance of our past and share its uniqueness
with visitors, stressed Mr. bin Sulayem.
Heritage tourism is currently an international phenomenon and one of the rapidly developing and lucrative sectors of the international travel industry, remarked Mr. bin
Sulayem.
Most international trips include a cultural component and this trend also coincides with an overall shift towards more educational and life enriching travel experiences, concluded Mr. bin
Sulayem.
The DTCM is committed to promoting the country's heritage and culture alongside that of the region as a whole. The celebrations at the Shindagha heritage sites during the ongoing DSF 2002 provide both residents and visitors with a glimpse into the past.
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