India is Country Guest of Honour at Abu Dhabi’s Festival of Tolerance & Coexistence

The 8th edition of UAE’s National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence opened at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi on Friday, with India participating as the Country Guest of Honour. The three-day festival brings together more than 22 countries through cultural performances, community activities and family-oriented programmes and was inaugurated by Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence.

Highlighting the longstanding ties between India and the UAE, Sheikh Nahayan said the friendship rooted in centuries of trade, travel and cultural exchanges across the Arabian Sea, had evolved into a dynamic partnership spanning education, technology and several other fields. He also acknowledged the Indian community’s significant contributions to the UAE’s development and its social and cultural life.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal said India’s designation as Guest of Honour reflected the special place the India held in the hearts of the UAE’s people. He said the festival celebrates coexistence as a lived experience, built through shared music, food, stories and friendships, and India’s participation embodies this spirit of cultural confluence.

Being held from 13-15 November, the annual festival marks the International Day for Tolerance and seeks to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, human fraternity and respect for cultural diversity. This year’s edition is being held under the theme ‘Growing in Unity’. It also celebrates the legacy of UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in building an inclusive and cohesive society.

India’s designation as Country Guest of Honour will be marked by a series of cultural performances across all three days of the festival, showcasing the country’s diverse artistic traditions. The Indian programme opened on Friday with a dance performance titled ‘Koli Fishermen of Bombay: Guardians of Sustainability, Tolerance and Brotherhood’, that highlighted the cultural traditions and community life of Mumbai’s fishing community.

An India Pavilion at the festival showcases the country’s rich heritage through displays of traditional crafts, jewellery and paintings, alongside interactive activities like know India quiz, offering visitors an opportunity to explore India’s culture and diversity.

On Saturday, the festival will feature a Kerala Cultural Showcase, presented by the World Malayalee Council Abu Dhabi. The Indian participation will culminate on Sunday with a special performance titled ‘Incredible India – A Cultural Extravaganza’, bringing together a showcase of the country’s cultural diversity.

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