Abu Dhabi is bringing Emirati culture, heritage and hospitality to Moscow through the Discover Abu Dhabi Festival, a five-day cultural programme at Manezhnaya Square. Running until August 23, the free festival forms part of the Moscow mayor’s Summer in Moscow programme.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the UAE Embassy in the Russian Federation, with support from the Moscow government, the event highlights traditional crafts, food, music and live cultural demonstrations. Meanwhile, it reflects growing connections between the UAE and Russia across tourism, trade and cultural exchange.
Emirati Heritage Through Craft and Design
The festival offers visitors a series of dedicated zones focused on crafts, fashion, calligraphy, food, music and maritime heritage. In particular, the House of Artisans presents traditional techniques passed through generations.
Craftspeople demonstrate khoos palm-leaf weaving, sadu weaving using camel wool or goat hair, and talli embroidery. Visitors can also participate in workshops and speak directly with artisans about the processes behind each craft.
Elsewhere, Bait Al Gahwa explores the preparation and serving of Arabic coffee in accordance with Emirati customs. The experience covers the traditional tools, ingredients and etiquette associated with the practice.
The Maritime Crafts area, meanwhile, explores Abu Dhabi’s historic relationship with the sea. Demonstrations include rope-making, gargoor fish traps, and al deyeen, the netted basket traditionally used by pearl divers to collect oysters.
Traditional clothing, henna, falconry, Arabic calligraphy and Emirati perfume and oud also feature throughout the festival. Consequently, the programme presents heritage through both hands-on activities and visual experiences.
Music, Food and Contemporary Abu Dhabi
Music and performance form another major part of the programme. Emirati musicians perform on instruments including oud, qanun, violin and percussion, alongside keyboard and saxophone. In addition, ensembles, duets and solo performances bring contemporary presentation styles to traditional musical forms.
The programme also features Al Ayala and Al Harbiya. Al Ayala, one of the UAE’s best-known traditional performing arts, is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Families can explore a dedicated children’s area featuring storytelling, traditional games and creative workshops. Meanwhile, Bait Al Hilwa introduces visitors to traditional sweets, dates and Arabic coffee.
Food also plays a central role. Visitors can sample Emirati dishes and watch live cooking demonstrations featuring recipes rooted in the country’s culinary heritage.
One of the festival’s most prominent installations is a six-metre immersive dome. Inside, 360-degree projections showcase Abu Dhabi’s landmarks, cultural sites and natural landscapes. As a result, the installation connects the emirate’s heritage with its contemporary identity while offering visitors a broader sense of Abu Dhabi as a destination.
The festival runs daily from 10 am to 9 pm until Sunday, August 23, and admission is free.
