Bayreuth Festival derided for his 1956 production of "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg." Stripped of its pageantry, conservatives viewed the breaking of this "sacred German tradition" as an outrage. Wieland defended the changes as an attempt to create an "invisible stage" that would allow the audience to experience the full psychosocial aspects of the drama without the baggage and distraction of elaborate set designs. Others have speculated that by stripping Wagner's works of their Germanic and historic elements, Wieland was attempting to distance Bayreuth from its nationalistic past and create productions with universal appeal. Over time, many critics came to appreciate the unique
UAE Awafi Festival UAE Awafi Festival The UAE Awafi Festival is an annual festival in the United Arab Emirates. It is held in the spring. It celebrates the Emirates' ethnic and cultural heritage through outdoor sporting events, theater performances and cultural displays. The festival includes competitions in which participants scale sand dunes in various vehicles. The event is held in the Awafi area (known for its red sand dunes) in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The festival is open to the public. Attendees usually arrive in off-road vehicles. The festival includes a Heritage Village show, local arts and crafts exhibitions, a bazaar,