Latest news with #AbuDhabiHeritageAuthority
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority revives ‘mekhrafa' tradition through weaving workshops for UAE youth
29 July 2025 01:10 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Young Emirati boys and girls have learnt the cherished tradition of weaving 'mekhrafa' in a special month-long programme organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority (ADHA) for the Nabdh Al Falah community hub. The 'mekhrafa' is a traditional Emirati basket handcrafted and woven from palm fronds. It is used to collect, carry, and present dates primarily during the harvest season. For the month of July, ADHA organised workshops that pass down this distinctive basket-weaving tradition from the seniors who know it by heart to the curious youth. ADHA's "Al Mekhrafa" programme for Nabdh Al Falah featured a line-up of engaging activities, from classic games to art sessions. Among the highlights are live demonstrations and hands-on workshops for palm frond weaving – walking participants through the making of 'mekhrafa'.At the studio, young visitors from 6 to 9 years old can explore palm-related heritage through art sessions. The programme revolves around the palm tree not only as a cultural treasure for Emirati society but as a source of daily sustenance. The remaining workshops will take place on July 29 and arts and crafts, there are educational lectures on palm farming, its environmental importance, and the date varieties found in the UAE. Family-friendly competitions are held, too. Nabdh Al Falah regularly holds programmes that bring the community together in activities designed to preserve Emirati heritage and strengthen national identity. Run by the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi, the programmes are held in line with the goals of the Year of Community. The move comes as part of the leadership's vision to strengthen social cohesion, tighten bonds between generations, and create a sense of shared responsibility in the community. The ADHA's "Mekhrafa" programme was held in collaboration with DCD.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Foreign ambassadors visit Liwa Date Festival
A delegation of foreign ambassadors accredited to the UAE visited the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival, currently taking place in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, and running until 27th July, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The delegation included Dana Goldfinca, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the UAE; Maria Belovas, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the UAE; Natalia Mansour, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the UAE; Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the UAE, and Lutfullah Goktas, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the UAE, accompanied by several diplomats. The ambassadors toured various pavilions of government and private departments participating in the festival, where they were introduced to a wide range of services, technologies, and lectures related to the agricultural sector. The delegation also visited the date market, the heritage souq, the handicrafts pavilion and the competition areas for dates and fruits. The ambassadors explored displays featuring traditional and agricultural products, date palm-based industries, and the latest agricultural technologies, particularly in palm cultivation. They expressed their delight in visiting the festival and gaining insight into the UAE's rich cultural heritage Recently, Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, praised the 21st Liwa Dates Festival. During her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm tree. She noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local cuisine. WAM
Al Etihad
7 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival 2025: Innovator turns date pits into high-performance charcoal
25 July 2025 00:39 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)An innovator in the UAE has found a novel way to recycle date pits: She is turning them into charcoal. At the ongoing Liwa Date Festival, Huda Saif Kenish Alhameli has caught the attention of experts and visitors with her high-quality, all-natural charcoal. 'The idea came up in response to a competition announced by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority for the Liwa Date Festival 2025,' Alhameli told Aletihad . 'The public response has been incredibly encouraging and I'm excited to continue developing it further,' she charcoal stands out for its eco-friendly composition and high performance. Since it's made exclusively from natural date pits, it contains no chemicals or allergens. It ignites quickly, burns for an extended period and offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional product has been tested and certified by METS Laboratories, ensuring that it's safe and ready for commercial use, she sees a bright future for this project, 'especially with the support of our wise leadership and institutions dedicated to sustainability'.The initiative, she added, is not only about innovation but preserving the palm tree as a cultural symbol. 'The palm tree is part of our identity and recycling its byproducts rather than discarding them contributes to sustainability and environmental stewardship,' Alhameli the nation observes the Year of Community, she emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the date palm and supporting initiatives that uphold the UAE's environmental and cultural values. Running until July 27 in Al Dhafra Region, the Liwa Date Festival continues to grow as a hub for culture, innovation and community engagement, showcasing how tradition and creativity can work hand in hand for a sustainable future.
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Zawya
ADJD showcases products from correctional and rehabilitation centers at Liwa Date Festival
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is taking part in the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival 2025, held in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, from July 14 to 27. Through a dedicated pavilion, the Department is presenting a variety of products crafted by inmates at correctional and rehabilitation centers — ranging from fresh agricultural produce, particularly dates, to artisanal crafts, artworks, handmade items, and traditional heritage products. The Department's participation in the festival underscores its commitment to engaging with cultural and community events in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. These directives emphasize the importance of active participation in national events and the preservation of the country's rich heritage. Throughout the festival, which is organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Department's pavilion will showcase the talents and creativity of inmates through a display of handcrafted products. These exhibits highlight the Department's rehabilitation efforts, aimed at equipping inmates with practical skills that support their reintegration into society as productive and law-abiding citizens upon the completion of their sentences. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is using this platform to shed light on the initiatives dedicated to preserving traditional crafts and industries. The focus is on enhancing and evolving production methods within correctional facilities in a manner that aligns with the cultural identity of the UAE.
Gulf Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
US ambassador visits Liwa Date Festival
Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, praised the 21st Liwa Date Festival, currently taking place in Al Dhafra Region. During her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm tree. She noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local cuisine. Strong also commended the rich educational content presented by the organisers and their tremendous efforts in hosting such diverse heritage festivals. These events, she emphasised, offer an authentic window into the UAE's vibrant cultural heritage, blending the past with the present. As part of her tour, the US Ambassador viewed several pavilions in the date and fruit beauty competitions. The 2025 Liwa Date Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has welcomed 50,225 visitors during its first five days. The 21st edition of the festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, continues until 27th July in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region. The Liwa Date Festival is one of the UAE's most significant platforms celebrating palm heritage and traditional agriculture. It is an annual event eagerly awaited by farmers and the wider community due to its vital support for the agricultural sector and food security. The festival features 24 competitions with a total of 308 prizes valued at Dhs8.735 million, in addition to stage competitions designed for visitors. The event reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving and transmitting heritage across generations while celebrating the date harvest season and the palm tree, a deeply rooted cultural and social symbol in Emirati heritage. The festival also attracts visitors and tourists from across the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council, offering a traditional and interactive atmosphere that supports farmers and provides engaging experiences for families and attendees. WAM
