Scotland to hold Soqotra exhibition [Archives:2006/959/Local News]
SANA'A, Jun 28 ) A cultural and natural heritage exhibition on the island of Soqotra is to be launched on June 30 in Edinburgh, U.K., said Abdul-Rahman Al-Eryani, the Minister of Water and Environment. The exhibition, titled “Soqotra: the Land of the Dragon's Blood Tree,” will be organized by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh in coordination with the Friends of Soqotra association. The exhibition will run until October.
Before heading to Britain to attend the inauguration of the exhibition, Al-Eryani said in an exclusive interview to the Yemen Times that, “The Yemeni delegation to Britain is headed by Dr. Abdul-Karim Al-Eryani, who is the president's political consultant and the Head of the Soqotra Conservation Fund he aims of the exhibition [include] presenting the natural and cultural treasures of Soqotra, which are matchless worldwide. Visitors will see samples of natural plants of Soqotra, traditional activities of Soqotra's inhabitants like crockery production, a house representative of Soqotra's traditional houses, [and] children's clothes used in the past.”
Al-Eryani mentioned that the exhibition will include the presentation of documentaries, light photos, and natural models. Workshops on the biodiversity of Soqotra will be held in the presence of experts from the Soqotra Conservation Fund. Participants will also discuss projects implemented in Soqotra related to the development of local community, and efforts to preserve the island's biodiversity.
For the first time, a group of distinguished ornaments, pottery, and tools, which the inhabitants used in the past, will be presented during the exhibition.
Al-Eryani revealed that preparation for the exhibition began last year after experts from the Royal Botanic Garden visited Soqotra.
“The exhibition is undoubtedly an important circle and [will] bear fruits as far as the Yemeni-European cooperation is concerned,” said Al-Eryani.
It is expected that 40,000 people will visit the exhibition. Organizers say that the exhibition targets those who have never been to Soqotra.
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