At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2022 in the United States this month, the UAE will present its extraordinary narrative and heritage to millions of people from around the world. The festival, which began in 1967 and is held every summer in Washington, DC, is an international exposition of living cultural heritage. The UAE will be included in this year’s edition, Living Landscape | Living Memory, which will take place on the National Mall in Washington, DC, from June 22 to 27 and June 30 to July 4.
According to Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, the event has honored global cultural traditions and celebrated people who practise and perpetuate them since its inception in 1967. He claimed that the festival has gained international acclaim for introducing millions of people to new destinations both near and far. The festival has attracted participants from all 50 states as well as more than 100 nations.
“This summer, we have a fantastic opportunity to tell the incredible tale of the United Arab Emirates, its history, and, most importantly, its people. For the first time, a nationally recognised event in the United States will provide an opportunity for Americans and international visitors to learn about the United Arab Emirates, its multicultural landscape, and history.”
The National Mall in Washington, DC will be transformed into a majlis, which is a key traditional place dedicated to community dialogue and hospitality, to promote the UAE’s culture and legacy.
Culinary demonstrations, poetry and spoken-word sessions, musical performances, talks and storytelling, films, workshops, and more will be available to Festival attendees. To encourage inquiry, creativity, and delight, special activities for children and families have been arranged.
Visitors to the Festival can take part in a creative dig into family photographs, which provide glimpses into UAE history. There will also be an interactive digital majlis to learn about the history, present, and future of this unique social practice of gathering to share ideas. Visitors will be served Emirati coffee, which is associated with kindness, and will learn about the people’s hospitality practices.
In addition, food demos during the event will include barbecue, which is a product of both American and Arab traditions, as well as Emirati home cooking, which is known for its rich spices and generous presentation.
Visitors will be able to discover the profound roots of music and poetry, as well as their present expressions and worldwide rhythms, which reflect language and cultural diversity, through musical and poetic performances.
Visitors can also try their hand at traditional crafts such as weaving, ceramics, and more, and learn how these crafts are being reinvigorated through modern ways. Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, stated that the country will be represented at the Festival by gifted and motivated individuals.
