Abu Dhabi - The annual event promotes the finest varieties of dates.
Published: Tue 3 Jul 2018, 10:38 PM
Last updated: Wed 4 Jul 2018, 12:44 AM
The 14th edition of the Liwa Dates Festival will start from July 18, officials have said in Abu Dhabi.
The annual event promotes the finest varieties of dates. It seeks to raise the quality of Emirati dates so as to achieve a better level of excellence, locally and globally.
The festival, according to organisers, will see a large turnout of people with range of activities like competitions, lectures and workshops being held to raise awareness about importance of palm trees.
The supreme organising committee, led by Major-General Fares Khalaf Al Mazrouei, chairman of the cultural programmes and heritage festivals committee - Abu Dhabi, discussed preparations for the festival, which will run till July 28.
"The festival aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the UAE, attract visitors and tourists to enjoy the country's authentic heritage, encourage conservation of palm trees, boost economic measures in Liwa, provide farmers with necessary guidance on modern methods of agriculture, among others," Maj-Gen Al Mazrouei said.
He said the festival being held in the 'Year of Zayed' pays tribute to the legacy of the visionary leader. "The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the historical position of the palm tree and helped preserve an ancient folk heritage to be passed onto future generations."
Al Mazrouei said the successful conduct of the festival and growth in palm tree cultivation was due to directives of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and follow-up made by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region. The festival is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Last year, a total of 223 awards worth Dh6 million were given away as part of the festival.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
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