Glittering start to Awafi Festival in Ras Al Khaimah

The colourful inaugural ceremony held at the specially built open air theatre, set amidst the golden sand dunes of Awafi, was in perfect
sync with the spirit of the annual spring festival.

In his opening remarks, Sheikh Saud said that the festival of Awafi had a special place in the tourism offerings of Ras Al Khaimah. He
said that tourism is poised to play a key role in the national progress and in the future growth of the Emirate. 'The government aims
to activate the tourism sector of the emirate by attracting more visitors to Ras Al Khaimah through events like Awafi festival', he
said. 'The natural beauty and idyllic settings of Awafi makes it an ideal place for families and youth to enjoy their school vacation' he
added.

Even before the festival was officially opened, hundreds of families from all over the UAE and outside flocked the area and perched up tents in the vast sandy expanse to experience the thrill of desert life under the cool and starry sky.

The traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe added glitz and glamour to the inaugural show.

The Awafi Festival 2005, organized by the RAK Economic Department, will last till January 28. The organisors have made elaborate arrangements for the conduct of the festival which will have a variety of sports and entertainment programmes.

The entire festival zone has been divided into four areas, each featuring one of the festival's varied activities. Special areas have been earmarked for providing tented accommodation to the visiting families.

The first section features a Heritage Village, a Bazaar, scouts camp and a children's play zone along with a mini zoo. The second part has
been allocated for public amenities like food outlets, internet café, coffee shops, and games area.

The festival venue also spots an entertainment zone with two theatres, one for children and other for adults, where cultural shows, short
plays and concerts will be staged every evening.

The Awafi festival is also holding high its reputation as a favourite haunt for spirited car races and sand dune climbing competitions. The
races will be held under two categories- for four and eight cylinder vehicles and another section for four wheel vehicle and motorcycle
shows. The winners will be walking away with attractive prizes including cars.

The festival, coinciding with the mid year school vacations, is branded as a unique place for family getaways, to take a break from
the congested city life by enjoying the magic of the sand in the cool environs of Awafi.

The inaugural ceremony of Awafi Festival 2005 was also attended by Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Chairman of RAK Finance
Department and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Kayed Al Qasimi, the Vice Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah
Economic Department, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi and the emirate's heads of government departments.