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SCTDA begins practical preparations for festival season

As part of the Emirate's preparations for major events and festivals, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) held its first meeting with government departments and bodies to discuss the necessary preparations and arrangements for organizing the Sharjah Water Festival, due to be held on December 2, 2010, and Sharjah Lights Festival 2011, the first of its kind in the Middle East. The meeting was attended by representatives from government bodies and departments in Sharjah.

The topics of discussion included the practical preparations for organizing the Sharjah Water Festival and Sharjah Lights festival, among other topics on the meeting's agenda. All preparations and security and safety measures related to the venues of these events were decided in detail and also about the accompanied activities that would help boost Sharjah's image as a sparkling tourism destination.

Mr. Essam Mohammed Khalifa, Head of Events Department at the SCTDA, stressed the importance of fruitful cooperation and joint coordination with government and private organizations as the key elements of the success of events and festivals organized by the emirate of Sharjah in general, and the authority in particular. Mr. Khalifa referred to the great success achieved by the Authority in organizing the Sharjah Water festival and hosting of World Power Boat Championship (Formula 1) over the past 10 years.

The Water Festival will feature a wide range of activities that will take place in Khalid Lagoon and Al Majaz Park where a variety of new entertaining activities catering to all age groups will be held, allowing families to spend enjoyable times and have unforgettable moments of their life.

Mr. Khalifa gave a comprehensive overview on the Sharjah Lights Festival 2011 , which was announced by the SCTDA in last May at a grand ceremony held at the premises of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in the presence of VIPs, senior officials and economic and tourism communities, as well as media representatives.

He said, "The Sharjah Lights Festival will run for nine days during which the audience will enjoy a harmonious combination of music and lights that reflect the emirate's rich civilization and distinct tourist attractions. It will feature 22 buildings in 13 different sites, namely the Heritage and Arts Area, Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization, Al Qasba, Central Souq, Palm Oasis, Al Majaz Park, Al Maghferah Mosque, Al Noor Mosque, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cultural Palace Square, Hosn Al Sharjah, and buildings of government departments."

He added that the SCTDA will launch the festival in a grand ceremony that reflects the artistic value which the festival wants to convey to visitors. The Emirate of Sharjah will be decorated spectacularly and with colourful lights depicting its culture and environment with accompanying music. The light shows will use the latest technology to depict the beauty of every corner of Sharjah's buildings and historical sites so as to uncover the Emirate's hidden historical authenticity.

The meeting also touched upon a number of suggestions and ideas designed to project the best image of the Emirate. Everything appears to be all set to take off, with the strong determination of the attendants to always be ready and spare no effort to make both the Sharjah Water Festival and Lights festival a success.