"Culture and tourism" Abu Dhabi launches a project "Cultural trails in Al Ain"

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ABU DHABI, December 10 / WAM / The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi launched the “Cultural Paths in Al Ain” project, which is an interactive exploratory path that takes visitors on an immersive journey through the historic Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases in the city of Al Ain. The path aims to enhance understanding of the authentic cultural character of the city of Al Ain and consolidate its position as a leading cultural destination.

This route, which is scheduled to continue until December 31, provides various cultural experiences that reflect the spirit of Al Ain and its cultural richness along its 1.4 km extension.

Along the way, visitors can stop at multiple experiential and interactive stations to explore aspects of the city’s culture, history and natural environment. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the city’s rich living heritage through immersive cultural programmes, and visit historic homes and mosques that are still vibrant, where stories are told and traditions are preserved as passed down by ancestors across generations.

The “Cultural Pathways in Al Ain” project is being held in conjunction with the “Manar Abu Dhabi” exhibition, and will be available to visitors during the duration of the light-based art installations exhibition.

The path is an extension of the immersive experience offered by the exhibition, as it penetrates into the oasis to deepen visitors’ connection with the unique cultural character of the city of Al Ain. At the same time, the path integrates the light-based artistic installations of “Manar Abu Dhabi” into the natural landscape of Al Ain, to include it within the general artistic map at the emirate level.

As part of this cultural journey, the Al Qattara Cultural Trail extends for a distance of 1.4 kilometers and connects seven historical buildings, including the distinctive Bal Haita Al-Darmaki Mosque. As for the Al Jimi Oasis Cultural Trail, it extends for a distance of one kilometer, connecting five historical buildings, the most prominent of which is the House of Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Dhaheri. The two paths were seamlessly interconnected, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic and integrated cultural experience.

The launch of cultural paths contributes to strengthening the position of Al Ain City as the capital of Gulf tourism for the year 2025, based on the decision of the tourism ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This achievement also highlights the pioneering role played by Abu Dhabi and the UAE in the field of regional tourism and cultural exchange.

The events held in the Al Qattara and Al Jimi oases feature a variety of initiatives coming from various parts of the Gulf, including an area for markets, restaurants, and traditional food stores, an area dedicated to the date and honey market, a live experience of baking dates using traditional methods inherited from the ancestors, in addition to interactive storytelling sessions presented by Emirati guides, the Al Qattara Exploration Center, and an exhibition of intangible heritage items from the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It will also include a library corner that includes publications of books from the GCC countries. Gulf Cooperation, and finally a group of performances, traditional Gulf evenings, and sessions accompanied by traditional musical instruments.