UAE Feature Story: Qasr al Hosn Festival

Qasr al Hosn Festival is a celebration of over 250 years of Qasr al Hosn’s history. It is a golden opportunity for the United Arab Emirates’ citizens, residents and tourists to watch and experience the heritage and culture of the country.

Visitors will view the UAE’s history through variety of interactive activities, including a world-class show reflecting themes inspired by the UAE’s history, interactive heritage and art workshops, celebrations highlighting Emirati skills and traditions, and historical tours and exhibitions.

The main attraction of the festival is the Cavalia at Qasr Al Hosn show; the theatrical equestrian production, featuring more than 40 highly-trained horses performing along with performers and musicians.

The festival will be divided into four main areas; Abu Dhabi Island and Fort area, Desert, Marine and Oasis.

The Abu Dhabi Island and Fort area that enable children and adults to discover different elements of the history including imitations of traditional Emirati schools and ‘Beit Al Zehba’ which is Bedouin wedding houses.

The Desert area will show visitors the Bedouin life by preforming the traditional Youla dance and teaching the visitors about the UAE’s rich Eco diversity and the efforts to preserve the endangered houbara birds.

The Marine section will emphasize the performs of fishing and pearl-diving, which were previously the main source of livelihood for Emiratis.

Finally, the Oasis will focus on the UAE’s natural life where guests will learn about the different medical uses of herbs and deserts plants.

 

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ZU Feature Story: Working as a florist at Zayed University

Marlyn Belila works at the flower shop in the ZU-AD Promenade. (Photo by Shaikha Alblooshi)

 

ABU DHABI—A florist carried by an unexpected destiny is rebuilding her life by working at Zayed University.

Marlyn Belila, 45, a Filipina widow with two children back home, is struggling to survive, but she is finding a way. She is currently working at Al Bustan Flower Shop in the Promenade of Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus.

A few years back, Mrs. Belila migrated to Europe after the death of her husband to earn money and survive. She worked in Germany as a sales person and met an Emirati man who gave her his number and invited her to work in the United Arab Emirates.

After several years, she decided to go back to her country to stay with her children. She used her study of flowers to start her own flower business in the Philippines. But unfortunately her business in the Philippines did not succeed.

She called the Emirati man who invited her to work in the United Arab Emirates. And he welcomed her to work at his home, as a baby sitter.

After a year, she found a better job opportunity related to what she studied. Mrs. Belila worked as a florist in Al Ain for seven years. Then she moved to another flower shop in Dubai for two years.

“Working in the UAE helped me a lot. With the money I got from the UAE, I built a house in the Philippines and my children completed their studies,” Belila said.

She is currently working at ZU’s flower shop.
“Working at ZU is nice because I’m dealing with friendly girls,” Belila said.

Mrs. Belila is a smiley and patient person.
“I use patience with life to make it easier. Smile and you will be happy,” Belila said.
She said that she is different than any other florist because she has a flower designing certificate and experience of 10 years in flower shops.

Mrs. Belila is happy with her life now. One of her children is working, and the other is studying at university. Although she is away from them, she is pleased with her destiny.

 

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