Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival is set to return to Abu Dhabi from next February.

Qasr Al Hosn, which has stood as the symbolic birthplace of the emirate and home to Abu Dhabi's ruling Al Nahyan family, continues to undergo a comprehensive process of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. The 2016 festival will celebrate the fort's status as a historic monument and community hub, and honour the UAE's founders and their visionary leadership.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, the festival narrates the ongoing conservation of the fort, and reinstates the Qasr Al Hosn site as the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi.

"Without exception, the Qasr Al Hosn Festival has grown to become a cultural highlight of the emirate's scene. As the symbolic birthplace of Abu Dhabi and a valuable monument of traditional Emirati heritage, Qasr Al Hosn's enduring legacy is reflected through this annual festival and is an opportunity for the community and visitors to gather and celebrate national history. We are sure the inspiring interactive programme will emphasise the nation's heritage and identity in a celebratory atmosphere," said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, TCA Abu Dhabi Chairman.

This year's festival will present the outcome of the Conservation Management Plan for the urban block of Qasr Al Hosn including the fort, the National Consultative Council, and the Cultural Foundation Building.

This fourth edition of the Qasr Al Hosn Festival will present ongoing conservation works and archaeological activities at the fort, particularly the reinstatement of the 1940's facade of the outer palace. Festival visitors will be able to embark on an integrated fort experience accompanied by a comprehensive narrative chronicling the fort's ongoing conservation process. The experience will conclude at the Qasr Al Hosn Centre where visitors can tour the Qasr Al Hosn Exhibition, which will provide insight on those who dwelled in the fort and explain the significance of the buildings, outlining how the historical context of Qasr Al Hosn is now shaping the area's future master plan.