Today, the third edition of the 'Al Yasas' festival kicks off on the waterfront of Silail City in the Al Dhafra region, organized by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, in strategic partnership with the UAE Council for Balanced Development. The festival will run until December 21st. Festival events and competitions will be held on weekends, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, to ensure the largest possible number of visitors and create a welcoming social and cultural atmosphere for families and the public, giving them the opportunity to participate in a variety of events and activities. The 'Al Yasas' festival features a diverse range of maritime and heritage events and competitions aimed at providing a comprehensive community and entertainment experience for the people of Silail City and the Al Dhafra region, enhancing the presence of heritage and contributing to the preservation of national identity. The festival includes 24 competitions with prizes totaling over seven million dirhams. Among the most prominent events is the Al Yasas race for traditional sailing vessels (60-foot class) with prizes of over six million dirhams, the Al Qafa race for sailing vessels (22-foot class), the Al Yasas regatta, the Hadd championship, the Al Yasas fishing championship, and competitions in Karam and Domino, swimming, beach volleyball, beach football, running, best traditional costume, folk games, bicycle races, and more. The festival also hosts a traditional market with a number of stores for family producers and startups to display heritage products, traditional crafts, and Emirati cuisine. Additionally, the festival features folk arts and traditional fashion shows, cooking contests, traditional handicrafts, and daily competitions and prizes for visitors on stage. The 'Al Yasas' festival aims to highlight Emirati heritage and enhance the role of traditional maritime sports in society, as well as promote the UAE's coastal cities and islands and support tourism and economic development in the Al Dhafra region.
