Participating in the Exhibition with Two Specialized Lectures
The National Library and Archives, Presented to the Visitors of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, Rare Historical Content in Hunting and Equestrianism.
The participation of the National Library and Archives in the 2024 edition, the largest in the history of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, attracted remarkable attention. Its pavilion fascinated the visitors with its collection of historical photos displaying the esteemed sheikhs’ interest in traditional sports and their keenness to participating in them, particularly in hunting trips and horse races.
All the photos and documentaries displayed at the pavilion were considered historical treasures preserved by the Photo Archive and the Presidential Archive at the National Library and Archives. This rich content provided a historical perspective on hunting and equestrian sports during this major cultural event and highlighted the wise leadership’s commitment to preserving the rich Emirati heritage in the hearts of the generations.
The pavilion also presented to the visitors the most notable publications of the National Library and Archives, which highlighted the interest of the Founder and Builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in hunting and equestrianism, as well as the passion of the people of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region for this ancient traditional sport.
On another level, speakers from the National Library and Archives presented specialized lectures at the exhibition’s “Knowledge Platform”; relevant to the interests of the exhibition. Fatma Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archive Section, delivered a lecture titled: “Sheikh Zayed and Falcons in the Writings of Foreign Travelers”, which provided a detailed overview of several accounts from the foreign travelers who visited the UAE in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Among those who described Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s falconry hunting trips were Roger Upton, Wilfred Thesiger (known as Mubarak bin London), Claude Morris, Ronald Codrai, and others.
The lecture relied on photos, documents, and newspapers that documented Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s visits to Pakistan and his interest in sustainable hunting and promoting the concept of sustainability in falconry. She also highlighted some of the writings of foreign travelers in their personal diaries about Sheikh Zayed, his passion for falconry, his hunting skills, and his knowledge of birds.
Additionally, Saeed Al Suwaidi, an expert in genealogy at the National Library and Archives, delivered a lecture titled: “Al-Adiyat in Popular Heritage”, in which he spoke about the names of some of the horses of esteemed Al Nahyan family members. Among them were “Al Muradi”, the horse of Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbout, ruler of Abu Dhabi (1833–1845), as well as Rabdan, Bint Al Muradi, Al Kahila, and Al Ubaiah, horses of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (Zayed the Great), ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1855 to 1905.
He also shed highlights on the horses in popular poetry and mentioned the names of some of the horses of the esteemed Al Maktoum family members, including “Al Sahal”, the horse of Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum, ruler of Dubai. He also mentioned the names of some horse owners in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and shared stories about the historical connection between Emirati women and horses.
It is noteworthy that the two lectures were coordinated with the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.