Press Release Details

ADNEC Gears up to Host 11th ADIHEX and Promote Emirati Heritage

Publication Date: 26 Aug 2013

The 11th edition of ADIHEX will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region (Al Gharbia) and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers' Club, with the support of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.

Running from 4 – 7 September 2013, ADIHEX will feature displays of traditional hunting excursions, camel and horse auctions alongside painting, photography and Nabati poetry activities. In addition, exciting contests such as the Arabian Saluki Beauty Contest, the Arabic Brewing Competition and the Falcon Beauty Contest will give away attractive prizes worth over AED 500,000.”

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: “We are keen to host events that demonstrate our rich Emirati heritage to regional and international audiences. ADIHEX offers a unique experience to visitors with its exciting competitions and activities. The one-of-a-kind event is anticipated to attract more than 100,000 visitors this year, which validates the sophisticated infrastructure, advanced facilities and high-level services that we offer for the management of successful events.”

Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Exhibition Director at ADIHEX, said: “We continuously seek to support initiatives that articulate our mission of promoting Abu Dhabi’s heritage to the world. ADIHEX is a leading cultural event that portrays our rich Emirati values among the wider community and has been recognised internationally for its multi-fold activities and competitions. Our pavilion in the exhibition will feature a model museum that displays Emirati art and crafts, as well as fishing and pearling techniques that our ancestors practiced. We will also be offering visitors an opportunity to sample our traditional cuisine.”

The Arabian Saluki Beauty Contest, a popular feature of ADIHEX, invites owners of Arabian Saluki dogs to enter their pets in two categories - Hoss (smooth) and Reesh (feathered) - to win cash prizes, plaques and certificates. Each year, a panel of international experts judge the contest.

The Arabic Coffee Brewing Competition that requires contestants to roast, grind and brew coffee beans also draws participants and spectators in huge numbers.

The Falcon Beauty Contest, which will be overseen by the Emirates Falconers’ Club, is another show stopper at the event and accepts entries in the categories of Gyr-Horr (Peregrine), Gyr Shahin and Male Gyr.