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All about dates: Dubai exhibition brings residents closer to palm tree, Emirati heritage
All about dates: Dubai exhibition brings residents closer to palm tree, Emirati heritage

Khaleej Times

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Khaleej Times

All about dates: Dubai exhibition brings residents closer to palm tree, Emirati heritage

The second edition of 'Dubai for Dates' was launched on Friday, July 25. This cultural event reflects a national vision to support local heritage and promote it as a source of inspiration. Aiming to encourage the cultivation and care of palm trees in homes, farms, and institutions, ensuring the sustainability of this national icon for future generations. The event, held at Al Remah Fort on the Dubai–Al Ain Road, is organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and focuses on half-ripened dates. Running for eight days, it welcomes visitors daily from 10am to 10pm. The event blends heritage and innovation, celebrating the palm tree as a deeply rooted national symbol of Emirati identity and culture. "What makes Dubai for Dates different from other festivals is that it focuses on the palm tree itself — on its social aspect more than its economic one. Everything we have is dates — no fruits or other products," said Anood Alblooshi, Head of Events at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, to Khaleej Times. The event features a mini-exhibition showcasing traditional tools used in palm cultivation, including digging, cleaning, and pollination tools, as well as a diverse range of photographs documenting various types of dates and their harvesting stages. Visitors can explore old farming techniques once used by Emirati farmers, making the space a rich archive that connects people to the UAE's agricultural history. There are also many distinguished products made from dates, traditional homemade foods, and sweets. Interactive learning for children Children have a large share of the experience, with a dedicated section offering educational and entertainment activities centered on palm trees and dates. These include drawing, colouring, and interactive games. One highlight is the Date Harvest Game, which helps children understand the process of harvesting dates engagingly. There are also simple stories told in child-friendly language that narrate the history of the palm tree. "Our goal is to promote the value of the palm and encourage its cultivation. Even children come here and learn something new. For example, in the kids' corner, we teach them how to harvest dates. We also run the initiative 'Plant Your Seedling,' where they're given a small can with soil and a seed. They take it home and plant it. If a sapling grows by next year, we reward them," added Alblooshi. Emirati farmer Abu Abdullah from Sharjah participated in the Dubai for Dates event for the first time this year. He owns a farm in Dubai with over 1,200 palm trees. He has previously taken part in various agricultural events across the UAE. "I have around 1,200 palm trees, and we harvest daily. We collect between 200 and 500 kilograms per day," Abu Abdullah told Khaleej Times. He noted that although some varieties of dates are imported, when cultivated in the UAE, they surpass the quality of their country of origin, like Medjool dates, which are exported from Palestine, or Sukkari dates from Saudi Arabia." Abu Abdullah explained that the normal price of dates ranges from Dh10 to Dh80 per kilogram. "The best types of dates include 'Dubai Hilwa', Umm Al-Dahan, and Ajwa, which can reach up to Dh100 per kilogram." He has been in the date farming and trade business since 2007 and is now teaching it to his children. He also discussed the challenges faced in date farming, particularly the high production costs associated with electricity and labour, which affect the profitability of selling products. He mentioned that some farmers struggle to cover their losses due to fluctuating market prices. To manage excess produce, Abu Abdullah converts surplus half-ripened dates into fully ripened dates. In a modern touch that merges technology with tradition, visitors to Dubai for Dates can access information through an AI-powered virtual Emirati figure. This character provides interactive content about traditional palm-based crafts, irrigation methods, and pollination techniques, enhancing the visitor experience through innovative, knowledge-rich engagement. 13 competitions, exclusive palm auction This year's edition includes 13 competition categories, including the "Homegrown Palm — Dubai and General" category for palm trees grown in residential areas, as well as a "Government Entities" category. A special category is dedicated to 'Dubai Hilwa', considered one of the rarest and most valuable date varieties. Other contests include the Largest Cluster and the competition's Khalas, Khneizi, and Boumaan dates at both the Dubai and other emirate levels. The event also features the Palm Auction, organized in collaboration with Emirates Auction, which runs for seven days and showcases he finest types of palm trees in a unique commercial and cultural setting. A local expert committee oversees the judging process, chaired by Saeed Khalifa Bin Thalith, with members Alhai Ali Al Sabousi, Khalfan Ali Al Suwaidi, and Khadem Al Midour Al Muhairi, ensuring transparency and accuracy in evaluations. Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, said, "We've transformed Dubai for Dates into a vibrant community space where the palm tree meets the public and their daily lives. This event is a social and national message aiming to strengthen people's connection to their land and heritage." "Launching initiatives such as the Hilwa Dubai category and the Palm Auction reinforces the presence of the palm tree in our daily lives. It's not just a tree, it's a symbol of generosity and deeply rooted identity," he added.

Photos of a Buddhist festival show ritual dances in India's Ladakh
Photos of a Buddhist festival show ritual dances in India's Ladakh

Associated Press

time07-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Associated Press

Photos of a Buddhist festival show ritual dances in India's Ladakh

LADAKH, India (AP) — One by one, 13 Buddhist monks wearing brightly colored silk costumes and wide-brimmed black hats, stepped onto the rectangular courtyard of the Hemis monastery. They began a ritual dance to a slow rhythm set by drums, cymbals and horns. As they moved, the white human skull motifs on their costume caught the morning sun. They danced to ward off mythical evil beings and clear the courtyard of negative energy. That set the stage for the ritual dances to follow at the Hemis Festival — or Hemis Tsechu. Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More A traditional Tibetan Buddhist art work called Thangka is displayed during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) A traditional Tibetan Buddhist art work called Thangka is displayed during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Devotees pray as they watch the opening ceremony of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Devotees pray as they watch the opening ceremony of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks and nuns watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks and nuns watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks replace a prayer flag in the courtyard of the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks replace a prayer flag in the courtyard of the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Novice Buddhist monks walk back after lessons at the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Novice Buddhist monks walk back after lessons at the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Novice Buddhist monks jump on a trampoline outside the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Novice Buddhist monks jump on a trampoline outside the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance with others during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance with others during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Buddhist nuns and monks watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Buddhist nuns and monks watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Hemis Gompa belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and is one of the most important monasteries in Ladakh. Built in the 17th century, it lies at an elevation of about 3,560 meters (12,000 feet) in the northern Indian desert mountainous territory. The festival, believed to have originated in the first half of the 18th century and observed annually ever since, commemorates the birthday of the 8th-century Indian master Padmasambhava, who is credited to have helped establish Buddhism in Tibet. The two-day summer festival falls on the 10th and 11th days of the fifth month in the Tibetan calendar. This year's festival was observed on July 5 and 6.

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