SHARJAH: Under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Eastern Region Office at the Department of Culture organised the second edition of the Wadi Al Helo Days for Poetry which kicked off on Thursday at Al Qal’ee celebrations square. The new edition’s theme revolved around traditional poetry and dance in neighbouring Arab countries with the aim of revitalising the musical, artistic and cultural movement in Wadi Al Helo, to target the family and society in general.Sheikh Haitham Bin Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office in Kalba and Sheikh Saeed Bin Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office in Khor Fakkan, opened the first night of the festival that included a visual show of the history of Wadi Al Helo on its historical, cultural, and natural milestones. The programme will also include an operetta on the mountains of Wadi Al Helo. The three-day festival will cover many cultural and musical performances by international bands, theatre performances and poetry evenings.Activities on the first day included “The Art of Rababa” by Za’al Al Ta’amsa, a traditional Jordanian musician who played on the folk instrument of Bedouin culture Rababa, “The Art of Al ‘Azai” by Al Shaba Dancing Band from Nazwa State in Oman, and “The Art of Ayalah” by Kalba Traditional Arts and Theatre Society. Farqat Sout Al Ordon will present the Jordanian Dabka. Also on the list of the activities of the first day was poetry by Mohammed Bin Hamed Al Manhali and AbdulAziz Al ‘Aliwai.