ADIHEX highlights Emirati cultural heritage with an eye on sustainability

The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) continues to be held these days in the Emirati capital with great success and with the focus on areas closely linked to the culture of the United Arab Emirates such as falconry, hunting and horse riding.

For the second time in its history, ADIHEX is held for seven uninterrupted days, from 26 September to 2 October, and this year 2022 marks almost two decades of existence, establishing itself as the largest event of its kind in the Middle East and Africa. Since 2003, around 1,750,000 people have visited ADIHEX and last year's edition saw 105,000 visitors from 120 different nationalities come to Abu Dhabi to visit the fair.

Majid Ali al-Mansouri, chairman of the Senior Organising Committee and secretary general of the Emirates Falconers Club, explained at the opening of the exhibition that a hundred live activities, workshops and interesting events, including educational activities, creative competitions and live shows on heritage and sport, were scheduled over the seven-day duration, attracting all visitors and offering families interactive and educational activities that enhance the exhibition's status as a popular attraction for all those interested.

Al-Mansouri remarked that ADIHEX attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year, including traders and businessmen, who are looking to close business deals, and fans of cultural heritage and outdoor sports and hunting.

Majid al-Mansouri highlighted the importance of this annual event as a global platform to promote and protect Emirati and Arab heritage. In addition, the exhibition is looking to expand further in the coming years by diversifying the heritage sectors and focusing more on sustainability, as reported by Al-Arab media. 

Speaking to Al-Arab, Al-Mansouri said ADIHEX is a reflection of the UAE's efforts to preserve its heritage and identity. The chairman of the Organising Committee and secretary general of the Emirates Falconers Club highlighted that this year there has been an increase of around 30 per cent in the exhibition area compared to last year, exceeding 60,000 square metres as space dedicated to the display of more than 560 companies representing 58 countries, most of which are present or from the UAE, and this is one of the strategies of the exhibition, which focuses on local companies in addition to companies from the Gulf and the Arab world. "We aim to continue to expand in the coming years, further diversifying the participating sectors and focusing more on the theme of sustainability, because the UAE is not only ours, but we are also laying the foundations for the lives of future generations," Al-Mansouri told Al-Arab. 

"The UAE is one of the first countries in the world to dedicate a climate strategy to address the rapidly changing climate and ensure the sustainability of resources and livelihoods for future generations," Al-Mansouri explained. 

For his part, almost a decade ago, the then head of ADIHEX, Abdullah al-Qubaisi, told The National that hunting in the Arab world is sustainable. "Hunting here is not like in the West. Hunting in Arabic means sustainable hunting, it has a different meaning, it is less aggressive," according to al-Qubaisi. 

This year's event puts sustainability and Emirati crafts back in the spotlight, creating a platform for local creators and organisations to share their creations and connect. They are joined by painters, calligraphers, photographers, artists and sculptors from the UAE and beyond, whose work explores natural heritage.