UAE Renews Its Presence at Morocco’s Tan-Tan Cultural Festival: A Heritage Event Reflecting Deep Fraternal Ties
ALDAR/
The United Arab Emirates is participating in the 18th edition of the Tan-Tan Cultural Festival, which kicks off today, Wednesday, in the Kingdom of Morocco and continues until May 18, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This year’s theme is “Tan-Tan Season: A Living Witness to the Universality of Nomadic Culture,” highlighting the symbolic significance of this cultural event that bridges past and present.
The Tan-Tan Festival is a global annual platform celebrating intangible heritage. Since its inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, the festival has served as a broad space for cultural convergence and the exchange of human experiences tied to desert life.
The UAE’s participation this year is organized under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, which presents a diverse collection of authentic Emirati heritage elements through its dedicated pavilion. The UAE also organizes a number of traditional competitions in collaboration with the Camel Racing Federation, including camel races, camel beauty contests (Mazayna), and milking competitions. Additionally, the UAE supports the organization of the “Tbourida” competition, a highlight of Moroccan folkloric displays.
The Emirati pavilion features an exhibition documenting the longstanding historical relations between the two brotherly peoples, as well as displays of traditional crafts in cooperation with the General Women’s Union. There are also dedicated sections for traditional cuisine, maritime heritage, and Arabic coffee making, along with showcases of traditional clothing and popular jewelry.
The activities organized by the Authority include traditional cooking contests, Moroccan tea (Atay) preparation, folk games, Hassani poetry competitions, and desert tent-pitching challenges. The program also features a poetry evening with the participation of poets from both the UAE and Morocco, alongside artistic and musical performances that enhance cultural exchange between the two nations.
This year’s Tan-Tan Festival stands out with a rich cultural program that showcases desert heritage with a contemporary vision, emphasizing the importance of preserving folk culture as a means to strengthen national identity and promote openness to others.
It is worth noting that the UAE’s first participation in the Tan-Tan Festival dates back to 2014, when it was the guest of honor at the 10th edition. Since then, the UAE has consistently participated in the festival with various goals, including supporting cultural diversity, spotlighting Nabati heritage, and enhancing cultural friendship and cooperation between the UAE and Morocco.
In the previous edition in 2024, held under the theme “20 Years of Safeguarding and Human Development,” the Emirati pavilion garnered significant attention from visitors and the Moroccan media, reflecting the UAE’s deep cultural presence and its commitment to shared Arab heritage.
Thus, the Tan-Tan Festival is not merely an artistic event or a heritage celebration; it is a vital bridge connecting cultures and a living embodiment of the values of brotherhood and cooperation between the UAE and Morocco in the preservation of cultural identity and the appreciation of folk heritage.
