The 14th edition of Al Dhafra Festival, a two-month local heritage festival, will take place from 5 November, 2020 to 29 January, 2021 in Madinat Zayed, according to organisers.
The Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the festival will take place with all preventive and precautionary measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In an effort to prevent gatherings, the traditional souq and related activities will be suspended this year.
Eisa Saif Al Mazrouei, Vice-Chairman of the organising 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 and falconry contests.
Visitors can also look forward to the 2500 metre Arabian saluki race, purebred Arabian horse race, sheep beauty contest, and shooting competition.
Race tracks and competitions sites will be sanitised daily and staff, juries and participants will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to attend the festival.
Face masks and gloves must be worn at all times by both visitors and participants.
The 14th edition of Al Dhafra Festival will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.