UAE camel festival from January 30, 2010

Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates capital will a host a camel festival from Jan 30 to Feb 8, WAM news agency reported.

The Mazayina Dhafra Camel Festival will be organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). It will be held in Zayed city in Al Gharbia (western region).

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, director general of ADACH, said the festival will include many events, including competitions on poetry and photography.

Mazrouei noted that the main event at the festival - Mazayina Dhafra - aims to preserve the pure-bred local Asayel and Majahim camels.

Over 24,000 camels belonging to 2,000 owners in the Gulf region took part in the last session for prizes worth approximately $11 million.