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Bask in Arabic tradition, culture and hospitality

Abu Dhabi - Traditional souq adding to the attraction at the Liwa Date Festival.

Among the thousands of visitors exploring and wandering around the massive tent in the Liwa Dates Festival, some have come along to learn about and taste the UAE's most loved fruit, as well as experience the nation's cherished history.
Three expat friends, Lisa Fawell from Australia, Zack Michael from the US and Joyce Lawson from the UK - all teachers living in Abu Dhabi - said they have truly enjoyed the celebration.
"We all came to Abu Dhabi around three years ago, but this is the first time we are visiting the festival," said Lisa.
"It is really great! All of it! My favourite part is the dates. I've tasted fresh dates before, but I've never seen so many in one place. It is so impressive how everyone here is offering us dates to taste, and also water, Arabic coffee and tea, all for free. Now I can say I have truly experienced the proverbial Arab hospitality," she added.
For Joyce, it was the traditional souq that she particularly enjoyed, although she too was in awe with the hundreds of baskets of dates on display that were competing in the ratab contests. "Actually, I'm going back home for a holiday next week and I'm looking for some gifts for my family, something traditionally Emirati, which is so hard and rare to find in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. That's why I was so happy to find this great souq here, which has some real gems," said Joyce, who included traditional handmade baskets, bags and Emirati dolls on her souvenirs shopping list.
An amateur artist and having a passion for history, Zack was instantly drawn to the heritage model area. The air-conditioned tent that hosts the festival is split into different areas for different activities. One of them is dedicated to the heritage model competition. Some 15 models are on display here, each up to two square metres. By the end of the festival the best five will be crowned winners.
"The castles and forts work is quite impressive, and some of them have lots of details, showing great skills in creating fire camp sites or scenes inside the house. My favourite is the old crossing of Maqta bridge, the first bridge to connect Abu Dhabi Island with the mainland. They placed these panels behind the model with old photos of the bridge, explaining its history, which is a good idea. Then the artistic interpretation of the model seems quite accurate and well done," said Zack. - reporters@khaleejtimes.com