In coordination with the DSF, Watani this month launches a nationwide ‘National Treasures’ competition urging members of the UAE community to participate in safekeeping the UAE national identity by uploading video, audio and still image materials about the UAE onto its online TV portal – www.watani.tv. In celebration of the UAE culture and history and in keeping with the ‘National Treasures’ campaign, Watani is also hosting an appropriately named ‘Heritage Village’ in Creek Park throughout the DSF from January 24 – February 24.

Watani’s ‘National Treasures’ campaign was launched on the National Day last year on the nation’s 36th anniversary to celebrate and commemorate the cultural, social and historical traditions of the UAE. Through the campaign’s medium, www.watani.tv, the public has the opportunity to preserve and share its experiences and memories of the UAE by using the online TV portal to relay their own stories about the nation. Throughout the DSF, Watani invites the public to take part in its ‘Best Video’ competition to honour the most valuable contribution to the ‘National Treasures’ campaign. Watani also revives the UAE traditions and experiences through a set of innovative heritage activities at the Dubai Creek Park.

At the Dubai Creek Park, Watani is hosting a set of weekly activities focusing on the history and traditions of the UAE with every week celebrating one specific environment or type of tribal group. Every day this week, the public is invited to visit the program’s ‘Heritage Village’ which will commemorate the traditions of the typical ‘Mountain People’. The festivities include daily shows and competitions as well as showcases of traditional UAE activities including traditional dances and games, handicraft demonstrations, poetry readings, Emirati storytelling, henna painting and more.

Watani’s ‘National Treasures’ campaign calls on all nationals, residents and visitors to share audio, video and image files communicating the tales and stories of the UAE, past and present. During the DSF, the public is invited to capture its own unique experiences of the UAE and upload them onto www.watani.tv. Watani also encourages everyone to experience the authentic sights and sounds of the country and visit the ‘National Treasures’ village at the Dubai Creek Park from 5-10pm on January 24 – February 24 at which time exciting prizes can be won for the ‘Best Video’ uploaded onto the social development program’s online heritage archive.