Sir Bu Nair Festival to start on May 17

With its usual cultural, heritage and environmental activities, the Sir Bu Nair festival will run this year from May 17-19. The festival, which is in its 14th edition, has been held annually since the year 2000. This year's edition is called ‘The Sea is our life'. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Festival, highlighted the event's environmental importance at a press conference yesterday. He added that the festival is intended to help maintain the legacy of the emirate's environmental and cultural heritage, which is in accordance with the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Sir Bu Nair is located 65 kilometres off the UAE coast and is an environmentally protected area home to rare marine life. Sheikh Sultan explained that this year's festival's name was inspired by the historical relationship between the people of the emirate and the sea. The festival will include traditional and heritage activities, including traditional diving, an exhibition and contests. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), said that the island is one of the most important protected areas in the country due to its important environmental elements such as its geology, plants, sea birds and coral reef that is rich in unique marine life. She added that the island also has beautiful beaches and is one of the most important areas for wild turtles' nests in the Arabian Gulf region. Sir Bu Nair, she said, was on the UNESCO's preliminary list for world heritage status due to its environmental and cultural importance. Live coverage of the festival will air on Sharjah TV and Radio. From Gulf News