The Dubai Community Development Authority has launched the festival “حتا تجمعنا” as part of the second edition of “شتا حتا,” highlighting its commitment to community empowerment and local entrepreneurship. This initiative showcases a vibrant range of family adventures and diverse activities, all under the supervision of the Higher Committee for the Development of Hatta and Brand Dubai. The festival, which opened in Valley Park, serves as a comprehensive model for enabling local communities and significantly enhancing their role in the region’s tourism and economy.
Embracing Hatta’s Unique Identity
The “حتا تجمعنا” festival reflects the unique identity of Hatta, leveraging the area’s natural environment and distinctive landmarks, such as the dam, the lake, mountain trails, and the heritage village. These features have become integral to the winter experience of the city. The festival prominently includes home-based entrepreneurs, showcasing the talents and innovations of thirty-five local project owners. Their work, inspired by local skills and daily experiences, provides them with a practical opportunity to enhance their visibility, engage directly with visitors, and refine their marketing techniques.
Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
This festival not only reveals the passion of home-based entrepreneurs but also provides them with a vibrant space to test their products, helping transform their activities into more sustainable economic ventures. The experience aligns with the Authority’s vision of supporting local communities by integrating home-based entrepreneurs into the economic fabric of the region. The daily interactions they encounter during the festival enable them to better understand market needs and develop their products based on visitor feedback, further enhancing their confidence to present their work at broader events within and beyond “شتا حتا.”
Cultural Experiences and Inclusivity
The “حتا تجمعنا” festival features a variety of experiences designed to immerse visitors in the stories of the community. From interactive workshops where artisans engage with the audience to traditional culinary experiences that portray elements of old homes, visitors gain deeper insights into the region’s heritage. These combined experiences create a rich scene, linking the past with the present and providing the local community with a meaningful presence at the event.
A Diverse and Inclusive Event
In its commitment to inclusivity, the festival includes a platform for People of Determination in partnership with the Sheikha Maitha bint Rashid Al Maktoum Centre, as well as a council for senior citizens that fosters intergenerational connections and the transmission of authentic Emirati values to the youth and visitors. Ali Al Qasim, Director of the Department of Benefits and Financial Empowerment at the Authority, emphasized that “حتا تجمعنا” represents a holistic developmental space for home-based entrepreneurs, empowering them through direct audience interaction and expanding their opportunities to showcase their products at a high-profile event that has gained significant traction in Dubai.
This festival adds a qualitative dimension to the “شتا حتا” experience, having become a key destination for visitors during the winter season in recent years. By integrating the local community more deeply into the event, the importance of home-based entrepreneurs is highlighted as a core element that reflects the spirit of the region, enriching visitors’ experiences with an authentic portrayal of the area’s identity.
The Dubai Community Development Authority invites the public to visit the “حتا تجمعنا” festival and engage with the experiences of home-based entrepreneurs, enjoying a scene that intertwines humanity, place, and the stories that define Hatta. “حتا تجمعنا” aspires to become a prominent feature of the winter season in Dubai.