KHORFAKKAN: Khorfakkan, a quiet town that is known as the bride of the eastern coast, on Thursday hosted the second edition of the Khorfakkan Cultural Festival. The festival is organised by the Khorfakkan Office in the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah and under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
The theme of the latest edition of the festival theme revolved around folk music and poetry, with the aim of encouraging participants to understand their artistic and musical past. The festival also sought to revive traditional heritage, create the cultural exchange between neighbouring countries and give a platform for gifted musicians to perform in Sharjah.
Sheikh Haitham Bin Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of the Sheikh Sultan’s Office in Kalba, opened the first night of the festival, which included a visual show of the history of Khor Fakkan, narrated by Sheikh Sultan. The vignette was the start of an operetta about the traditions of folk singing in the emirate. The operetta was acted near the stage with a group of residents of the town walking down history lane through singing, among other activities.
The first day of the festival saw performances such as “The Art of Ayalah” by the UAE Ayalah Band. The band performed the UAE folk dance, where two rows of dancers positioned closely and facing each other, while drumming and humming the song of victory.
“The Art of Al Ardah” and “The Art of Al Ashoori” was performed by Al Khor Folk Arts Band. The band performed dances of Qatari traditions with similar drumming beats, that also signified victory, celebration, and unity.
Mikadi Nahas from Jordan accompanied by Egyptian jazz band Iftikast, gave the audience a taste of Levant art, with her songs and covers of Lebanese legend Fairouz’s folk songs that created a night of melody and sonic beauty.
The traditional acts of the night included Saudi illusionist group and the winner of Arabs Got Talent, Khawater Al Thalam, who 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 run until 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, singers Mohammed Al Shihi and Hussam Kamal, and Sharjah Contemporary Theatre. The festival’s programme also includes poetry sessions by poets Marshan Al Ka’abi, Khalid Al Ka’abi, Naser Al Shifiri, Ali Al Qahtani, Saeed Bin Mane’a, and Saif Al Raisi.
