Madinat Zayed:Abu Dhabi The fifth edition of the Al Dhafra Dates Festival is set to take place in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Region, from October 16th to 25th. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the festival will have Kuwait as the Guest of Honour.
According to Emirates News Agency, Kuwait's participation highlights the close ties and shared cultural heritage between the UAE and Kuwait. The festival will offer visitors a chance to explore various aspects of Kuwaiti heritage and facilitate interaction and knowledge exchange among participants.
The event will host 22 competitions with 180 prizes totaling AED 4.6 million. It will also introduce a palm tree auction for the first time. Daily date auctions and a variety of heritage, cultural, and family activities are planned.
Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, emphasized the festival's role in preserving palm tree heritage and supporting the UAE's national identity. The festival will provide a platform for date producers and support honey producers, artisans, and local entrepreneurs.
The festival's agenda includes competitions such as seven date beauty contests and two date-packaging contests. A honey competition with five categories will also be held. The daily date auctions will start at 500 pm, enhancing the economic value of local produce.
The new Palm Auction aims to protect local varieties and promote commercially valuable cultivars. A cooking competition with dates and olive oil, along with a photography award and live painting competition, are also featured. The festival will include heritage workshops and live performances to showcase traditional skills and customs.
Farmers, producers, and artists are invited to register for competitions through the Falak Al Namous application, and the public is encouraged to attend the auctions and cultural activities.
