Liwa Date Festival attracts thousands of visitors

The 14th Liwa Date Festival has commenced on 19th July at Al Dhafra Region in Abu Dhabi. The festival, which celebrates the UAE’s iconic and traditional date fruit, will conclude on 28th July.

The festival is expected to welcome visitors in large numbers from across the UAE and nearby countries.  Becoming a leading leading events in Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi, last year’s edition attracted more than 70,000 visitors.

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, the Liwa Date Festival aims to bring attention to the heritage and cultural significance associated with the date palm and Emirati history. It also targets in propagating the quality of Emirati-produced dates.

Over the years, the festival could effectively restore palm trees and dates to their deserved position within Emirati society, as well as reintroduce interest for dates among locals and tourists from around the world,” said Faris Khalifa Al Mazroui, chairman of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Committee – Abu Dhabi.

Picture Credit – The National

“Festivals like this are very useful in keeping such traditions and history alive, we must pass all of this on to the next generation, because a future that doesn’t know their past will be lost,” he added.

The date festival is considered helping the next generation to understand the history of Emirates and the Emirati culture, as date has been an important part of Emirati life. Emirates history cannot be written without mentioning palm trees and dates.

Liwa Date Festival will also feature a number of competitions for the visitors, with a total cash prize of Dh6 million.

There will be competitions every day. There are different categories such as the best date, the best heritage model, and the best farm. Other competitions include the best fruit basket, the best mangoes and the best lemons.

The festival will also have a traditional market area, giving visitors the chance to experience the real Bedouin lifestyle. Visitors will also have the chance to buy traditional Emirati handicrafts including many items made from palm trees.