Liwa City: Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival is scheduled to take place from July 14 to July 27 in Liwa City, located in the Al Dhafra Region. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival seeks to celebrate the UAE's agricultural and cultural traditions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the festival coincides with the UAE's annual date harvest, underscoring the significance of palm trees and their produce in Emirati society. This cultural event highlights the nation's commitment to heritage preservation, agricultural sustainability, and food security, while supporting local date and crop producers. The festival also serves to advance modern agricultural practices in Abu Dhabi.
The festival's program includes 24 competitions, with 12 dedicated to date 'mazayna' contests featuring categories such as Dabbas, Khalas, and Fard. It also includes competitions for lemons, mangoes, figs, and a 'Local Fruits Basket' contest. Additional contests include 'Model Farm' competitions and artistic creations made from palm trunks. The total prize value for this year's festival exceeds AED8.735 million.
The organizing committee has allocated substantial prizes for various competitions. The Dabbas and Khalas Date Mazayna competitions each offer a prize pool of AED446,000, with AED100,000 for first place. The Al Dhafra and Liwa Elite Dates Competitions offer prizes of up to AED200,000 for winners. The festival also includes a Large Date Bunch Competition and fruit contests for mangoes, lemons, and figs.
A unique feature of the festival is the Model Farm Competition, with three categories covering various farms and cities, each offering a prize pool of AED750,000. Traditional handicrafts are celebrated through the Most Beautiful Date Basket Competition, promoting the use of eco-friendly materials.
Beyond competitions, the festival hosts heritage events, cultural initiatives, and family activities. It supports the local community through a traditional market featuring fresh dates and related products, as well as daily cultural activities and performances.
The festival brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, experts, industry leaders, and research centers, fostering collaboration for the agricultural sector's sustainability. It also boosts the Al Dhafra Region's economy, drawing thousands of visitors annually.
