The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced the Sharjah Water Festival 2011, which will take place from 14-23 December at Al Majaz Park, offering a spectacular array of water-themed shows and entertainment.
The Sharjah Water Festival 2011 will include a number of world-class entertainment events and shows. The main event of the festival this year will be the world renowned Circus on Ice in addition to other exciting events such as Magic Show, Ice Skating, Mouj Adventure Zone and others. The final round and highlight of the festival will of course again be the UIM F1H2O World Championship 2011, the Grand Prix of Sharjah, which will be held on 15th and 16th December in Khaled Lagoon.
Speaking at the Press conference, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi stressed that the SCTDA has been making constant efforts to make the Sharjah Water Festival more exciting every year by adding new shows and features with each edition. The Festival reaffirms and boosts the emirate’s ability to organise and host world class local and international events throughout the year.
Al Qassimi said, "Thanks to the wise guidance of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and the continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, we continue to march to success."
He added, "Today, the Sharjah Water Festival stands out amongst all sports, cultural and entertainment events in the region, blending the glory of the past with the prestige of the present. It has enhanced Sharjah’s profile and strengthened its position on the world tourism map."
Referring to the impact of the festival on the tourism sector in the emirate, Al Qassimi said, "Our beloved country hosts every year numerous cultural, entertainment and sports events and festivals attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators that boost the tourism sector in the country including in Sharjah. Last year some 1.5 million tourists visited the emirate."
He hailed the Authority for promoting the SWF by organising promotional campaigns in different local and GCC radio and newspapers. Besides inviting international and regional media to come visit the emirate, introducing them to the festival and Sharjah’s unique tourism features, the Authority also sets up special stands at different malls in the UAE to provide information on the festival, he said.
In preparations for the emirate’s most significant and high profile event, the Authority has also organised visits of the Sharjah Water Festival mascot ’Mouj’ to more than 20 public and private schools, introducing students to this year’s events, shows, workshops and carnival for the whole family.
Al Qassimi thanked media sponsors and partners saying their cooperation has played an important role in the success of the Sharjah Water Festival all these years. While telecom giant Etisalat is the title sponsor of the SWF, other sponsors include Sahara Center, Mega mall, Al Zahra Private Hospital, Bukhatir Group, Panasonic, Corniche Al Buhaira Hotel and Hotel Radisson Blu. Media sponsors include the Sharjah Media Corporation, Sharjah Media Centre, Al Khaleej, Channel Four and Gulf News. The other partners include Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Sharjah Public Works Department, Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, and Sharjah Customs. The official airline is Air Arabia.
The Circus on Ice features all circus art genres and complex combinations of acrobatic feats, aerial gymnasts and choreographic compositions. The Irish Dance Show will take place at Mouj Ice Island and is notable for its amazing rapid dance movements. Pets Magic promises to be a fantastic show that will include games for kids, breathtaking magic tricks with animals and comic pieces with lots of humour. The Colourful Boxes Show uses a multi-colour box to perform breathtaking acrobats and jugglery. Mattiamoci Jugglers will include character-driven physical theatre and will combine acrobatics and comic juggling using unicycles and a Tango to present a 30-minute spectacle.
The emirate will once again be in the spotlight by hosting the Sharjah Grand Prix for the 12th consecutive year, which takes place in Khaled Lagoon. The event every year attracts more than 75,000 spectators. Sharjah has won the UIM Best Organiser Award for five times—in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007 and the World Journalism Award for the successful organisation of the event in 2001.
