Dh500,000 up for grabs

Dh500,000 up for grabs Staff Reporter (silvia@khaleejtimes.com) / 14 August 2013 The Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) will give away over half a million dirhams to winners of its several competitions to be held on September 4-7 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year, the competitions include Arabic coffee brewing, Nabati Poetry and hunting, and equestrian and heritage-related photography and painting. “To qualify for these competitions, local entries must be submitted before August 28, while international ones should be submitted by September 1 at the latest,” announced Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director of Adihex. As in previous years, participants for the Arabic coffee competition are allowed to enter late, prior to show opening. For the past few editions, Emirati Bedouin men have dominated this competition, which is one of the most popular attractions at Adihex as participants sing and sometimes share stories of the past while roasting, grinding and brewing the coffee beans. Additionally, Adihex will host a competition for the best falcons bred in captivity in the categories of Gyr-Horr (Peregrine), Gyr Shahin and Male Gyr, overseen by the Emirates Falconers’ Club, as well as a competition for the most beautiful hunting saluki in the two categories of Hoss (smooth) and Reesh (feathered). Painting and photography competitions are open to amateur and professional artists of all nationalities, and are restricted to one piece of artwork per artist in any of these categories: falconry, equestrian or UAE Heritage. All artworks received will be handed to a special viewing committee which, along with the exhibition higher committee, will have the right to refuse any artwork that does not meet the requirements; a special jury committee will then choose the winners in each category — painting and photography. “The 11 th edition of Adihex will see an array of heritage and cultural activities, and is expected to attract nearly 100,000 visitors of all ages, who share the passion for the unique UAE heritage,” added Al Qubaisi. These include a museum style display of local customs and traditions in the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s pavilion, where there will be demonstrations of Emirati sewing, weaving and cooking, along with showcasing the fishing and pearling traditions of the past. Full details about the competitions and rules are available on www.adihex.net .   Taylor Scott International