Kalba: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) concluded on Sunday the debut edition of the 'Pearl of the East Coast' festival in Kalba, achieving remarkable success with three days of heritage and entertainment activities and festivities that illuminated the city's cultural landscape.
According to Emirates News Agency, the festival was held at Kalba Hanging Gardens from 24th to 26th January and featured wide participation from government entities and institutions, attracting more than 20,000 visitors. The event highlighted the city's evolving economic and tourism growth.
The closing ceremony of the festival was attended by notable figures including Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Kalba City Council; Ali Obaid Ali Al Zaabi, SCCI Board Member; and Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Mazrouei, Director of Kalba Municipality. Also present were Jamal Bouzanjal, Director of the Corporate Communication Department at SCCI and General Coordination of the festival, and Khalil Al Mansouri, Director of Government Relations at SCCI, alongside members of the festival's Organising Committee.
The ceremony included the honoring of participating government entities, as well as members of the Entrepreneurs Committee, the Organising Committee, and the volunteer team. The 'Pearl of the East Coast' festival served as a multifaceted cultural platform, offering visitors an in-depth eco-cultural experience of Kalba's rich heritage, including its maritime and agricultural ecosystems and key tourist and ecological landmarks.
Visitors explored Kalba's illustrious past and vibrant present through six themed tracks focusing on different aspects of the city's historical and cultural development. These included equestrian sports, traditional artisanal crafts, handicrafts, and the marine environment, complemented by a lineup of economic and agricultural activities.
The festival highlighted key agricultural initiatives contributing to the development of this sector. The Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock demonstrated technologies for optimizing agricultural production and monitoring wheat farming stages. Visitors were also introduced to innovations in dairy farms.
Local farmers had the opportunity to showcase diverse crops such as lemons, nabags, olives, and pomegranates. The festival offered educational lectures and workshops on the significance of mangrove trees, designed to educate visitors on protecting and nurturing these trees, highlighting their role in maintaining biodiversity and sustainable marine ecosystems.
In collaboration with the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority, the festival presented activities exploring Kalba's marine world, featuring skilled artisans sharing insights into traditional crafts linked to the region's maritime culture. The festival's competitions saw public participation with chances to win prizes totaling around AED 100,000.
A highlight was the 'Pearl of the East Coast for Creativity' contest, which engaged photography and creativity enthusiasts. The competition recognized 15 winners who submitted visual films highlighting the festival's cultural, artistic, and entertainment activities.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, expressed satisfaction with the success of the first edition of the festival, noting its role in celebrating Kalba's cultural heritage and tourist attractions and showcasing innovative projects aimed at enhancing sustainable development. He emphasized the festival's importance in driving Kalba's economic growth and promoting environmental awareness, confirming its status as a key annual event.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, remarked that the inaugural edition marked a milestone in highlighting Kalba's cultural, heritage, and economic growth, as well as progress in tourism, economy, and agriculture. He stated that the festival reflects the Sharjah Chamber's vision of driving development in the Eastern Region, showcasing Kalba's environmental and economic diversity and exemplifying the Chamber's commitment to preserving the city's heritage to boost sustainable tourism and foster growth in key sectors.