The Khor Fakkan Office at the Department of Culture has organised the second edition of the Khor Fakkan Cultural Festival. The festival - held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah - started on March 2, 2017 at Khor Fakkan Corniche. The new edition's theme revolves around folk music and poetry, with the aim of encouraging the public to understand their artistic and musical past and revive traditional heritage, create the cultural exchange between neighbouring countries, and finally to give an opportunity to the gifted musicians to perform in Sharjah.

Shaikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of the Sharjah Ruler's Office in Kalba, inaugurated the first night of the festival that included a visual show of the history of Khor Fakkan, narrated by Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi. The vignette was the start of an operetta about the traditions of folk singing in the emirate that was acted near the stage with a group of residents from the city.

Acts included on the first day were, "The Art of Ayalah" by UAE Ayalah Band, who performed the UAE folk dance, two rows of dancers positioned closely together and faced each other while drumming and humming the song of victory.

"The Art of Al Ardah" and "The Art of Al Ashoori" by Al Khor Folk Arts Band, who performed dances of Qatari traditions with similar drumming beats, also signified victory, celebration, and unity.

Mikadi Nahas from Jordan accompanied by Egyptian Jazz band Iftikast, gave the audience a taste of Levant art, along with personal songs and covers of Lebanese legend Fairouz's warm folk songs that created a night of melody and sonic beauty. Among the traditional acts, Saudi illusionist group and the winner of Arabs Got Talent, Khawater Al Thalam, performed "A Message of Peace" and "LED LIGHT", technically appealing to the eye, and an attention grabber specifically for the younger audience who cheered loudly for the group.

The festival will continue to run until today (March 4) with other groups and singers including, Omani band Nojoum Ajlan, Al Mazyod Al Harbiya Band, Al Matharib Al Harbiya Band, Emirati Laywa Band, singer Mohammed Al Shihi, singer Hussam Kamal, and Sharjah Contemporary Theatre. The programme will also include poetry sessions by poets, Marshan Al Ka'abi, Khalid Al Ka'abi, Naser Al Shifiri, Ali Al Qahtani, Saeed bin Mane'a, and finally Saif Al Raisi.