Al Dhafra Festival 2020 to go ahead, with strict precautions

The 14th edition of Al Dhafra Festival will run from 5th November 2020 to 29th January 2021 in Madinat Zayed, in the Dhafra Region.

Organisers of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee in Abu Dhabi say it's the greatest celebration of Bedouin lifestyle and will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. 

The committee affirmed that all preventive and precautionary measures against COVID-19 will be in place for the safety and well-being of participants and guests.

Major General Fares Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Committee, said the traditional, folkloric and handicraft events at the festival reflect the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in preserving the country's culture, heritage and identity.

Eisa Saif Al Mazrouei, Vice Chairman of the committee, noted that at the heart of this year's exceptional edition are the Mazayna (competition) camel beauty contests that focus on the purebred camels from the Asayel (pedigree) and Majaheem (dark-skinned) lineages, falconry contests, the 2500 metre Arabian saluki race, purebred Arabian horse race, sheep beauty contest, and shooting competition.

This year's festival will not organise the traditional souq and its associated events to ensure the health of the public, he explained.

Speaking about precautionary measures, he said race tracks and competition sites will be sanitised daily while festival staff, juries and participants must present a negative COVID-19 test, wear face mask and gloves, maintain social distancing.