The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi announced the results of Al Dhafra in the Eyes of Photographers competition, which was held in December 2013 as part of the activities of the 7th edition of Al Dhafra Festival in Madinat Zayed, Al Gharbia (The Western Region).

The photography competition is part of a strategy that aims at supporting the artistic and cultural movement in the United Arab Emirates, and preserving heritage through its documentation and presentation to the recipient by all means of modern technology. Through this effort, the Committee seeks to highlight the artistic aspect of the Emirati heritage, which reproduces a true picture of the Bedouin life mixed with desert sands.

Mr. Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Projects Management at the Committee, noted that the Competition draws its significance from the fact that it puts art in the service of a representation of the different aspects of the Bedouin life.

Al Dhafra in the Eyes of Photographers do give a genuine representation of the Bedouin life through a lasting snapshot that combines all life elements in Madinat Zayed, he said.

Through attracting important names in the field of photography, the Competition has been able to convey a clear and true picture of the popular Emirati heritage, its tools and habits to the whole world.

Under the supervision of Mr. Bader Al Nomani, the members of the jury, Mr. Nasser Haji Malek, Mr. Suleiman Bin Eid Al Hamadi, and Ms. Rahma Khalfan Al Hadi, met to evaluate the participating photographs. The members jury looked at 370 photographs, and after the process of sorting and evaluation, they announced the following results: