Brief
Kalba Festival Attracts 45,000 Visitors, Generates Dh1 Million in Sales
The inaugural festival in Kalba’s Al Ghail Suburb surpassed its target, drawing four times the expected crowd and turning heritage into commerce.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kalba’s first Jashe and Sahnah Festival, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Kalba City Municipality, closed on Sunday after attracting more than 45,000 visitors and generating Dh1 million in sales over four days.
The event covered 4,800 m² in the Al Samar neighbourhood, bringing together over 85 productive families that specialise in traditional seafood dishes and maritime products, as well as 10 government entities and six national fishing supply companies and fish‑processing facilities.
Commercial Impact
According to Director General of SCCI Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, the festival’s performance marked a milestone for the chamber’s efforts to stimulate commercial and tourism activity across Sharjah’s eastern region. Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Mazrouei, Director of Kalba City Municipality, said the partnership helped establish the festival as a heritage and economic platform capable of attracting residents and visitors.
Learning and Innovation
Fishing supply and processing companies introduced local producers to modern packaging, grading, sorting and safe fish‑drying techniques, aiming to raise product quality and expand distribution channels. Live demonstrations showed traditional methods of catching and drying small fish, while craftspeople displayed wooden boat‑building and models of historic vessels such as the Boom, Sanbook, Shu’i and Jalboot.
Competitions and Education
Competitions for adults, families and children aged seven to 15 covered the best Jashe and Sahnah products, innovative dishes and product quality. Organisers said the contests were designed to preserve traditional preparation techniques and pass knowledge to younger generations. Educational workshops and panel discussions, organised with the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority, covered responsible fishing, modern fish‑drying techniques and marine environmental protection.
Heritage and Commerce
The festival combined commercial activity with efforts to preserve Kalba’s maritime heritage, featuring folkloric performances and displays of traditional fishing and pearl‑diving equipment.
Key facts
- 45,000 visitors attended the festival (gulfnews.com)
- Dh1 million in sales generated (gulfnews.com)
- Festival covered 4,800 m² in Al Samar neighbourhood (gulfnews.com)
- 85 productive families participated (gulfnews.com)
- 10 government entities and six national fishing supply companies were present (gulfnews.com)
- Festival lasted four days (gulfnews.com)
Background
The festival was organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kalba City Municipality, following a strategy to turn traditional food and maritime heritage into new economic opportunities for local producers.
Why it matters
The event demonstrated how heritage festivals can drive tourism and commercial activity in the UAE’s eastern region.
What happens next
SCCI and Kalba City Municipality plan to build on the festival’s success to further develop heritage‑based economic initiatives.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Kalba Heritage Festival Draws 45,000 Visitors, Generates Dh1 Million in Sales, Showcasing Maritime Traditions”
