Emirates Falconers’ Club today announced that its 4th international Festival of Falconry, IFF, will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December, 2017.

The festival, which will be held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is organised by Emirates Falconers’ Club, EFC, in cooperation with the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey, IAF.

Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IFF, CEO of EFC, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed for his generous patronage of this festival, to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his endless support, and to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra and President of Emirates Falconers’ Club, for his guidance and supervision.

He added that the festival’s extensive and commendable list of global achievements highlights the role of the UAE in promoting the heritage of falconry at an international level. In 2010, falconry was registered as a living heritage on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage for humanity.

The 4th International Festival of Falconry will offer guests the unique opportunity to join hundreds of falconers from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and learn first-hand how they train their birds of prey and hunt with them, enjoying the unique experience of watching live performances of falcons, raptors, Arabian Saluki dogs and Houbara as well as equestrian performances.