The region’s premier celebration of date production – The Liwa Date Festival took place in Abu Dhabi this year from 22 July to 30 July. Now in its eleventh consecutive year, this unique festival brought deeper insight into the fascinating traditions of the Gulf. With over 70,000 visitors from all over the world flocking to this unique festival, it was yet another year of success for the organisers – The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi, the festival included a beauty contest for dates along with auctions and educational sessions relating to the care required for better date production. Along with dates, lemons and mangoes also featured in the display and the competitions held. Several interesting competitions with 220 prizes worth over AED 6 million were the major attraction for the participants at the event. Along with competitions including Dar Fruit Basket competition, the Best Heritage Model competition and the Model Farm Award there were traditional markets and several activities arranged for the entertainment and education for adults and kids visiting the place.
The traditional market which formed one of the key parts of the annual event featured several products that reflected the spirit and tradition of the Emirati society. Products on display were those primarily derived from dates or the palm trees on which they grow. The Liwa Date Festival offered a lot for its visitors to learn about the heritage and culture of the Emirati world.
Along with competitions for the participants of the festival, there were several other cultural competitions and workshops like drawing and painting, which were of great interest to the young visitors at the event. The workshops were of a great advantage as they helped educate the next generation in detail about the benefit of palm trees and dates. It also gave them a better insight into the culture and heritage that they will be safeguarding and handing over to the future generations.