The UAE’s Cultural Voice Resonates at Morocco’s Tan-Tan Moussem

The Emirates carries its heritage across borders to one of North Africa's most significant cultural gatherings, weaving Emirati traditions into the fabric of an international festival that celebrates the customs and craftsmanship of the region.

The 19th edition of the Tan-Tan Moussem, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, opened this week with the United Arab Emirates presenting a comprehensive pavilion dedicated to its intangible cultural heritage. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in collaboration with several Emirati heritage institutions, the UAE’s presence at the festival, which runs until 3 November, reflects more than a decade of sustained cultural exchange between the two nations.

The pavilion itself is conceived as a living portrait of Emirati identity. Within its spaces, visitors encounter displays honouring the shared intangible cultural heritage between the UAE and Morocco, followed by sections devoted to the historical and cultural bonds that have long connected the two countries. Maritime heritage finds its place alongside traditional clothing and handicrafts, while a majlis serves as a contemporary expression of the Emirati tradition of hospitality, inviting guests to sit, converse and experience the customs that have shaped the nation’s social fabric.

The sensory experience forms the heart of the pavilion. Visitors can taste Arabic coffee and traditional Emirati cuisine, sample Moroccan mint tea, and participate in heritage games that have entertained generations. Live demonstrations and handicraft workshops, organised in collaboration with the General Women’s Union, allow guests to witness traditional skills and knowledge as they are performed and transmitted. Folk performances and artistic presentations celebrate the diversity of Emirati cultural expression, while stalls display traditional products and handcrafted items that exemplify the enduring craft traditions of the Emirates.

The festival programme reflects the breadth of Emirati heritage practice. Camel racing and camel beauty contests, organised by the Emirates Camel Racing Federation, sit alongside the Mahaleb camel milking competition, whilst other events feature Tbourida (Moroccan Fantasia), traditional cooking competitions and heritage games. Poetry evenings celebrate Nabati verse and its significance within Emirati folk tradition. Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Executive Director of the Heritage Awareness and Knowledge Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, presented awards to winners of the camel milking competition, the aseeda cooking competition and the children’s Moroccan mint tea preparation competition, recognising these traditions as living practices worthy of celebration and safeguarding.

The UAE’s participation in the Tan-Tan Moussem represents continuity with earlier efforts to bring Emirati heritage to international audiences. As we reported in coverage of ISEA2026 Dubai, where traditional heritage meets contemporary electronic art, the Emirates has increasingly woven its cultural identity into contemporary creative endeavours. Similarly, initiatives such as Erth Restaurant’s exploration of Emirati cuisine through contemporary culinary artistry demonstrate the nation’s commitment to presenting heritage not as static artifact but as living, evolving practice.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s sustained participation at the Tan-Tan Moussem since 2014 underscores the importance placed by Abu Dhabi’s heritage institutions on international cultural dialogue. This presence strengthens institutional ties, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and positions the Emirates as a thoughtful steward of traditions that extend beyond its borders. The festival provides a platform for Emirati organisations to demonstrate how heritage remains integral to contemporary identity and social practice.

For Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors, the festival’s recognition of Emirati traditions affirms the value of these customs at a global level. By showcasing heritage practices alongside those of other cultures, the Moussem validates the importance of preserving and transmitting the knowledge, skills and social practices that characterise Emirati life. This international recognition encourages local communities to view their own traditions not as historical relics but as living expressions worthy of continued engagement and celebration.

Source: WAM