Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, lead a parade during the Qasr Al Hosn Festival. Crown Prince Court // Abu Dhabi
Rulers of the UAE including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai, General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai at the opening of Qasr Al Hosn. Courtesy of Ryan Carter, Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces dances inside the grounds of Qasr Al Hosn. Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
The opening performance of The Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation by Franco Dragone. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
The Qasr Al Hosn Festival runs until March 9th, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Qasr Al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi's oldest building. Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
The festival is divided into four sections: a marine area, where visitors can board a replica pearling ship and see pearls extracted from oyster shells; the Abu Dhabi island area where old mariners sing sea shanties; a desert area with traditional souq of palm-frond stalls, selling Emirati favourites such as chabaab pancakes; and the oasis area. Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - February 28, 2013: The opening performance of "The Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation" by Franco Dragone (NOT SHOWN), as part of the Qasr Al Hosn Festival. The Qasr Al Hosn Festival runs until March 9th, and celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Qasr Al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi's oldest building..( Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi ).---.
This fort, it’s everything, everything,” said Muna Al Suwaidi, 34, a festival volunteer. She coyly admitted the fort was not as large as she imagined in childhood. “I don’t want it to disappear. I want it to be here.” Delores Johnson / The National
“The fort gives me that touch in my heart,” said Fatima Al Fathi, 15, an Emirati raised in Abu Dhabi. “I don’t know how to express it. It’s ineffable.” Christopher Pike / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Elderly Emiratis from across the country volunteered as storytellers and singers, while others displayed their skills with handicrafts, from boat building to rope making. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
As the birthplace of the capital, Qasr Al Hosn has played a fundamental role in Abu Dhabi’s past while safeguarding its future, says Faisal Al Sheikh, the festival director and events manager at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture -Authority. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court
Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation will be staged in a 5,600-square-metre tent that rivals the Circus Phoenix in Paris, which is said to be the biggest in the world. Delores Johnson / The National
The story of the citadel is said to have begun around 1760, when the leader of the Bani Yas tribes, Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa, built a watchtower to guard their water source. The tower was later turned into a fort by his son Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab. When Abu Dhabi rose in status, and also because of political shifts, Sheikh Shakhbut moved his residence from Liwa Oasis to Qasr Al Hosn. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
.ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - February 28, 2013: HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (center L), dances at the Qasr Al Hosn fort during the Qasr Al Hosn Festival which runs until March 9th, and celebrates the 250th Anniversary of Qasr Al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi's oldest building. Seen with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, HH Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, and others..( Saeed Al Neyadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi ).---..?????? :???????????????? ??????? 28/2/2013(?????? ??? ?????)(???)??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? (????)??? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??????????? ??? (????) ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? (???)????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ??????.???? ??????? :????? ??? ??? ??????
Celebrations for Qasr Al Hosn’s 250-year anniversary began yesterday with a cavalry procession to the fort in downtown Abu Dhabi, symbolising the Royal Family’s journey from Liwa to the island.
