UAE Talents Shine at Dubai's 'Ferjaan' Festival Celebrating the 54th National Day
Dubai's Furjan Foundation is showcasing Emirati talent during the UAE's 54th National Day celebrations through cultural activities and creative workshops across Al Khawaneej and Jumeirah from December 1-7. The program aims to highlight national talents while connecting younger generations with their heritage through hands-on experiences that blend learning with artistic expression.
This year's festivities feature 25 diverse workshops that cover various aspects of local heritage. The interactive experiences combine education with direct artistic engagement, helping strengthen national identity and connecting audiences with their ancestral history and cultural memory.
The Al Warfa event in Al Khawaneej runs daily workshops showcasing traditional crafts alongside musical performances by Emirati artists. Visitors can watch live heritage musical pieces that merge art with national belonging. The event includes a folk crafts area where people can observe traditional handicrafts through direct experiences, reviving ancestral skills and instilling the value of craftsmanship in the new generation.
The Al Dana event in Jumeirah, taking place December 5-7, offers workshops and visual arts inspired by maritime heritage. The accompanying marine area features live shows depicting the history of pearl diving, net making, wooden boat construction, and fishing tools. These presentations tell the story of the sea and its people in ways that connect past with present.
Both events will feature heritage operettas. The Al Warfa operetta focuses on land-based traditions, while the Al Dana operetta captures the spirit of the sea and the courage of pearl divers searching for pearls.
Fatima Al Bastaki, Partnerships Director at Furjan Dubai, said the celebrations serve as a platform for empowering Emirati talents through programs that combine art and heritage. She noted that these events give young people space to express their identity, and the foundation continues building new partnerships that support national creativity while ensuring Emirati heritage passes to future generations through inspiring and innovative methods.
Sara Khaled