ADIHEX announces 12 research, scientific, literary, and artistic competitions to attract young innovators.
Abu
Dhabi, May 1st, 2021
The
Higher Organizing Committee of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and
Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) announced the launch of a series of research,
scientific, literary, and artistic competitions, with the aim of enhancing
efforts to conserve heritage and authentic traditions, preserving the
environment and sustainable hunting, by attracting younger generations to take
part in such endeavours and nurturing young creative talent from different
countries.
Valuable
monetary and non-monetary prizes will be awarded to the winners, who will be announced
during the exhibition. Terms and conditions for participation in the
competitions will be published on the electronic platforms and social media
accounts of ADIHEX and the Emirates Falconers’ Club.
Applications
to participate in the competitions will be open from May 1st to August 31st, 2021.
Under
the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's
Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’
Club, the 18th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian
Exhibition (ADIHEX 2021) will be organized by the Emirates Falconers’ Club from
September 27 to October 3, 2021, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
(ADNEC). The exhibition is officially sponsored by the Environment Agency - Abu
Dhabi, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, and the Abu Dhabi
National Exhibition Centre.
"Sustainability
& Heritage.. A Reborn Aspiration" has been chosen as the theme for the
upcoming edition of the exhibition, in recognition of the efforts of Abu Dhabi
and the world to enhance the sustainability of the environment, hunting,
heritage sports and related businesses. It also highlights the comprehensive
strategy that is formulated to develop the event and allow the hosting of more
activities and features, based on the successes of past editions in a reborn
aspiration.
The Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Emirates Falconers’ Club emphasised that this initiative aims to introduce younger generations to the cultural, civilizational, and environmental heritage of their fathers and forefathers and instil in them the importance of preserving the environment. Moreover, it aims to attract creative people from all over the world to participate in ADIHEX, where visitors have come to expect close interaction with authentic heritage and discover the passion of modern man for developing authentic sports, documenting them, and highlighting their common social and cultural importance through a variety of fun and innovative artistic, literary, and cultural activities and events.
The
competition entitled ‘Best Research in Hunting and Equestrian Among Arabs’
aims to encourage researchers and specialists in the field of heritage. It also
helps to spread ADIHEX’s long-term message on the importance of protecting the
environment, preserving cultural heritage, ensuring the sustainability of
hunting, and promoting Abu Dhabi as an authentic cultural destination. It
motivates researchers and promotes innovation in researching and documenting
the ancient heritage of the region, particularly in the field of falconry, one
of the most important elements of heritage in the UAE and the Arab Gulf region.
Participation
is open for all nationalities between 18 to 30 years old, in both Arabic and
English, where a prize is awarded to each of them. In order to participate,
competitors must present a research about the Arab hunting and equestrian
culture that has not been previously published or already been awarded an Arab
or international award.
The two competitions entitled ‘Best Invention in the Field of Falconry and Hunting’ and ‘Best Vehicle for Hunting Trips’ are open to all exhibitors and participants in ADIHEX. For participation, the innovation presented must be brand new and has never been featured in a previous competition. It should also provide a tangible service to falconers, enthusiasts, and safari organizers and must be presented for the first time at ADIHEX.
The
competitions entitled ‘Best Paintings’ and ‘Best Photographs’ are
open to painters and photographers from all over the world. Each includes three
categories (falconry, equestrian, and heritage), with prizes going to the first
three winners of each category. Participants may present one single artistic
work created in 2021, which will be judged on creativity, uniqueness, and
artistry (detailed criteria to be announced later).
Organizing
these competitions comes within the framework of preserving the human heritage,
highlighting the prominence of falcons and horses in the UAE, and introducing
younger generations to the cultural, civilizational, and environmental heritage
of their fathers and forefathers and the importance of preserving and
highlighting it through the refined medium of the arts.
In
parallel, and in the context of honouring visitors of all nationalities and
encouraging them to interact with the exhibition, the Higher Organizing
Committee will launch two competitions for visitors of different age groups,
entitled ‘Best Photograph of Activities at the 18th Edition’ and ‘Best
Video Clip of Activities at ADIHEX’ for images and videos which are taken
at ADIHEX 2021.
Conditions
for participation will be published on the electronic platforms and social
media accounts of ADIHEX prior to the start of the exhibition.
This year, ADIHEX will also feature a poetry competition for young poets between the ages of 18 and 25. The competition is comprised of three categories: ‘Describing a Bird’, ‘Falconry’, and ‘Losing a Bird’. The prizes will be awarded to the first three winners in each category. The poems must be recently written, not previously published, and in the range of 15 to 25 verses long. Participants must also provide a recorded recital of the poem by its author.
The contest “The Most Beautiful Captive-Bred
Falcon” achieved
wide international fame and attracted many participants who are keen to present
their finest falcons, bred in falcons farms in the region and the world. The
contest has received the recognition of various regional and international entities
that are concerned with heritage preservation and environmental protection
because it has incentivised falconers to conserve wild falcons.
The
competition includes the following categories: most beautiful pure Gyr, most
beautiful Gyr peregrine, most beautiful Three Quatro Saker Gyr (3/4), and most
beautiful Pure Gyr Male.
This
unique event seeks to motivate falconers to use hybrid falcons as a suitable
alternative to falcons captured in the wild and, by doing so, allowing
populations of wild falcon to recover and grow. The contest is dedicated to
falcon breeding facilities in the Arab Gulf region and around the world.
As
in previous editions of ADIHEX, the Higher Organizing Committee is holding a
competition to choose the ‘Most Beautiful Display platform’ for falcons
and falconry equipment to motivate exhibitors in this sector to add creative
touches to their pavilions.
There
is also a ‘Saluki Beauty Contest’ in the categories, Al Hoss and
Aryash (smooth & feathery) - males/females, which will be judged
according to approved international standards. The Saluki is considered one of
the oldest breeds of hunting dogs in the world, emerging more than 12,000 years
ago from its original home in the Arabian Peninsula. Saluki dogs are known for
their exceptional abilities, intelligence and loyalty, and are an important
part of our cultural heritage and the legacy of our fathers and forefathers.
Prior
to the launch of ADIHEX, a heritage, environmental, cultural competition
will be announced for school students, by allocating a special area for
children at the exhibition, where awareness-raising prizes will be presented to
students from participating official entities.
Visitors and participants at ADIHEX can also look forward to a variety of other unique competitions, especially in the shooting sports. Details of these features will be announced by exhibitors and participating parties later.
In
addition to organizing a variety of interesting activities, events, and performances
in the Arena, as the exhibition has become an introductory and documentary
platform for human heritage, highlighting important aspects of the authentic
Emirati identity, and enhancing interaction with the cultures of different
people and countries.
The richness and comprehensiveness of ADIHEX is evident in its 11 diverse sectors: Arts and Crafts, Equestrian, Falconry, Hunting Tourism and Safari, Hunting and Camping Equipment, Hunting Guns, Promotion and Preservation of Environment and Cultural Heritage, Outdoor Leisure Vehicles and Equipment, Veterinary Products and Services, Fishing Equipment and Marine Sports, and Media.