Latest news with #LiwaDateFestival
Gulf Today
a day ago
- 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
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Artist Azza Al Qubaisi: Liwa Date Festival is an opportunity to reconnect with UAE heritage
20 July 2025 23:00 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)For visual artist and designer Azza Al Qubaisi, the Liwa Date Festival is more than a harvest celebration; it is a conscious act of cultural preservation and remembrance. For over two decades, she has returned, blending desert stories, ancestral echoes and modern artistry into works that speak of who she is and where she comes from Al Qutuf, Al Dhafra, Al-Qubaisi views the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with her heritage and to reflect the evolving identity of the UAE through her contemporary artistic creations. "This festival is not about selling or marketing my products," she told Aletihad. "It is about saying I belong. I am here to present my identity." At this year's festival, Al Qubaisi is exhibiting a range of works that fuse traditional Emirati elements with modern design. Among them are chairs made from palm fronds, artistic pieces inspired by the desert landscape, and silver and gold accessories shaped like the Emirati burqa, traditionally worn by women in the region.A highlight of her exhibit is the design of the festival's award trophies, which incorporate palm frond motifs and, for the first time this year, feature one of Liwa's iconic castles. She also designed the rutab (fresh date) hangers used across the festival – pieces that turn functional objects into cultural statements."I don't like to see things without design and intention," she said. "We have a wealth of ideas and creativity. I like to make sure our traditional motifs are part of our everyday experiences."Al Qubaisi's work is inspired by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's words: "A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future." She channels this philosophy into each of her creations, transforming heritage elements into pieces that are both visually compelling and culturally significant."My goal is to reflect my identity through my artworks, and at the same time present and preserve it for the future," she said. "A simple object like a hanger can become a visual connection for children, something that carries emotion, history and identity."Arabic calligraphy is another signature feature of Al Qubaisi's work. By incorporating letters into her designs, she hopes to inspire a renewed appreciation for the Arabic language among younger of her pieces are produced locally, and collaboration remains central to her artistic philosophy. This year, she is working with fellow Emirati artist Moosa Al Halyan, who contributed illustrations on palm stalks for a joint exhibition."I always try to move away from 'me' and focus on 'we.' Collaborating with other artists helps develop the local artistic experience and contributes to a shared cultural vision," she said. "As individuals and institutions, we must give and create together."
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- General
- Gulf Today
Liwa Date Festival attracts more than 50,000 visitors
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Liwa Date Festival 2025 attracted approximately 50,225 visitors over the course of five days. Now in its 21st year, the festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and will continue until 27 July in Liwa, Al Dhafra Region. The Liwa Date Festival is one of the most important events celebrating the heritage of palm trees and traditional farming in the UAE. This annual event is eagerly anticipated by farmers and the local community, as it provides significant support for the agricultural sector and food security. The festival features a variety of competitions, including 12 date competitions in the categories of Dabbas, Khalas, Fardh, Khunaizi, Bu Maan, Shishi and Zamli, as well as the Al Dhafra and Liwa competitions for elite dates and the Fardh and Khalas Al Ain competitions. There are also seven fruit competitions in the categories of assorted and local lemons, assorted and local mangoes, red and yellow figs, and home fruit basket. Three model farm competitions are also held, in the categories of Western Areas, Eastern Areas and Al Dhafra Cities. There is also a Most Beautiful Date Competition and a Creativity from Palm Trunk Competition. A total of 308 prizes worth Dhs8,735,000 are awarded for these competitions, in addition to theatrical competitions for visitors. The festival's diverse activities include sponsors, supporters and participants taking part, as well as a date market, palm seedlings and agricultural tools, a traditional market and handicraft displays that revive authentic heritage for new generations. There is also a corner dedicated to women's modesty and elegance, as well as a children's area where children can learn about different types of dates and the importance of caring for palm trees through play. The festival programme includes seminars, lectures and educational workshops for farmers on the latest methods of caring for palm trees, producing the highest quality dates, combating agricultural pests and reducing their incidence, identifying fungal diseases that affect palm trees and ways to prevent them, and recycling and conserving water. These events will be held at the festival theatre and the participating organisations' pavilions. The Liwa Date Festival showcases the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's dedication to preserving and safeguarding its heritage, ensuring it is passed down through the generations. The festival celebrates the date season and the palm tree, which is a deeply rooted cultural and social symbol of Emirati heritage.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors in 5 days
20 July 2025 00:53 AL DHAFRA (WAM) 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, welcomed 50,225 visitors during its first five 21st edition of the festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, continues until July 27 in Liwa City, Al Dhafra 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 festival features 24 competitions with a total of 308 prizes valued at Dh8.735 million, in addition to stage competitions designed for 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.
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Liwa Date Festival advances food security in UAE: Nahyan
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, visited the activities and competitions of the 21st edition of the 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. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival serves as a prominent platform celebrating the cultural and economic significance of palm cultivation, while promoting the quality of local produce. Sheikh Nahyan affirmed that the Liwa Date Festival encourages farmers to invest more in their farms, diversify crops by growing palm and fruit trees, and contributes to advancing food security and sustainable agriculture in the UAE. This focus on palm cultivation stems from the legacy established by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who placed agriculture-particularly palm cultivation-at the heart of the country's development. He prioritised supporting farmers and empowering them with the tools of production as a strategic pillar for environmental preservation and achieving food self-sufficiency. These events embody the spirit of comprehensive development witnessed by the UAE under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who places great importance on the agricultural and environmental heritage and supports national initiatives that cement the symbolic and economic value of palm trees. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the festival underscores his commitment to supporting farmers, enhancing agricultural sustainability, and fostering local economic development. During his tour, Sheikh Nahyan reviewed the festival's daily activities and competitions held for farmers and visitors, including wide participation from government and private entities, date vendors, palm sapling nurseries, agricultural supply stores, and booths for productive families in the traditional market. The festival also includes a women's elegance and heritage corner, a crafts zone, a children's area, as well as lectures and specialised workshops targeting farmers and the public. He also visited the pavilions of participating and supporting entities, including: the Court of the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Department of Energy, Serah Group, Tadweer Group, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Al Foah (part of Agthia Group), Al Dhafra Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, Al Dhafra Hospitals (SEHA), Abu Dhabi Media Network, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, 'Faseelah' app, Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, Judicial Department, and other public and private sector entities. Sheikh Nahyan was accompanied by Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, along with a number of officials and dignitaries. At the conclusion of his tour, Sheikh Nahyan expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the organising and supporting entities, particularly the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, for their outstanding efforts in showcasing this important cultural and economic event. Recently, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority participated in the 21st edition of the Liwa Date Festival, currently underway in Liwa City, Al Dhafra, until July 27. The participation reflects the authority's commitment to strengthening community engagement and ensuring that citizens have direct access to information on available housing services. The festival offers a platform for the authority to showcase its latest digital solutions and smart services designed to enhance the customer journey and improve the overall quality of services provided. Through its pavilion, the authority is engaging directly with citizens to respond to enquiries, gather feedback, and offer guidance on various housing programmes, initiatives and procedures. Visitors to the pavilion can explore the 'Iskan Abu Dhabi' application, a comprehensive digital platform that enables users to access and track housing services without the need to visit service centres. WAM
