Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed visits the 2022 Liwa International Festival. All photos: Wam
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed visits the 2022 Liwa International Festival. All photos: Wam
He was informed about the events and activities taking place during the festival
He was informed about the events and activities taking place during the festival
Cody Walker and Steve Harvey were among the celebrities that Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed met at Liwa Village
Cody Walker and Steve Harvey were among the celebrities that Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed met at Liwa Village
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed greets Harvey in Liwa
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed greets Harvey in Liwa
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and Harvey chat during the sheikh's visit at Liwa International Festival
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and Harvey chat during the sheikh's visit at Liwa International Festival
The festival combines sports, adventures, culture and more, all set in Al Dhafra's desert
The festival combines sports, adventures, culture and more, all set in Al Dhafra's desert
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed was accompanied by Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed was accompanied by Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi
The festival will culminate in a two-day desert hill climb event at Moreeb Dune
The festival will culminate in a two-day desert hill climb event at Moreeb Dune

Lifestyle

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed visits Liwa International Festival

Ruler's Representative in the western region met several celebrities at the desert festival, including Steve Harvey, Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

December 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in the western region, visited the Liwa International Festival, a two-week cultural extravaganza taking place in Al Dhafra desert.

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi and Liwa Sport Club, the family event runs until December 31.

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan toured several locations and found out more about the activities, tournaments, heritage events and entertainment on the festival's agenda.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed visits this year's Liwa International Festival, with a stop at Liwa Village. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed visits this year's Liwa International Festival, with a stop at Liwa Village. Photo: Wam

He also paid a visit to the recently opened Liwa Village, where he met several celebrities including Steve Harvey, Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker.

The US stars are in the UAE capital for FuelFest Arabia, the Middle East debut of the car and music festival founded by Walker, brother of the late Fast & Furious star Paul Walker.

Ludacris and Gibson will perform as part of the event.

Sheikh Hamdan praised the festival for the huge turnout it recorded, and stressed the importance of providing all the necessary support to ensure its success.

The festival has become an important part of the UAE and Al Dhafra region's calendar, attracting visitors who come for the culture, adventure, camping, motorsports and more.

The last two days of the festival revolve around an epic hill climb tournament, in which cars take on Moreeb Dune.

About a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Abu Dhabi, Liwa Village is made up of six zones, each with a range of things to do.

At the Souq, visitors can enjoy a night market and traditional Emirati practices such as henna art and khoos basket-weaving. The Oasis offers a place for tranquillity and relaxation with activities such as terrarium-making and jewellery-designing on offer.

There's also a central Pavilion, a play zone filled with e-gaming machines and an arcade zone and an immersive dining space showcasing regional and international restaurants and where visitors can enjoy a meal under the desert sky.

Several live performances are scheduled throughout the festival including by regional artists Abdallah Al Rowaished, Khaled Al Mulla, Hamad Alameri, Abadi Al Johar and more.

Liwa Village opens in Abu Dhabi — in pictures

Liwa Festival has opened in Liwa Village in the Abu Dhabi desert. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Liwa Festival has opened in Liwa Village in the Abu Dhabi desert. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The event celebrates Emirati culture with art, concerts, shopping, cultural workshops, a night market and more
The event celebrates Emirati culture with art, concerts, shopping, cultural workshops, a night market and more
The family-friendly experience is ongoing until January 8
The family-friendly experience is ongoing until January 8
Liwa Village is made up of six zones
Liwa Village is made up of six zones
The main stage will host a number of performances
The main stage will host a number of performances
There’s an expansive majlis seating at the main stage where live shows will take place
There’s an expansive majlis seating at the main stage where live shows will take place
The Souq in Liwa Village
The Souq in Liwa Village
The Souq area is rooted in heritage and tradition and includes a night market, where things such as spices and oud are sold
The Souq area is rooted in heritage and tradition and includes a night market, where things such as spices and oud are sold
Live cooking sessions will also be held at The Souq
Live cooking sessions will also be held at The Souq
The Pavilion is an area to relax, rest and reconnect
The Pavilion is an area to relax, rest and reconnect
The Pavilion
The Pavilion
Arabic coffee at the festival
Arabic coffee at the festival
Gaze, the immersive dining venue at The Souq
Gaze, the immersive dining venue at The Souq
The immersive dining experience
The immersive dining experience
The oasis
The oasis
The pirate play area
The pirate play area
The e-gaming area
The e-gaming area
A vistor plays Liwa Treasure Hunt in the e-gaming area
A vistor plays Liwa Treasure Hunt in the e-gaming area
Musicians play the hand pan at Liwa Village
Musicians play the hand pan at Liwa Village
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