Newsletter Issue 01

Palm Tree, A Journey of Long History
Liwa, Capital of Civilization and Oasis
of History
Liwa Date Festival, a Landmark and a
Proud History
Under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs
www.liwadatefestival.ae
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
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2 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

Table of Contents
Organizer’s Foreword
Liwa, Capital of Civilization and Oasis of History
Palm Tree, A Journey of Long History
Liwa Date Festival, a landmark and a Proud History
Liwa, the Biggest Bunkers for Golfers in the World
Date Fruit Comes First
Date Competition
Mangos and Lemons Competition
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
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4 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

The activities of the new edition of Liwa Date Festival will start this coming
Thursday, setting up a unique platform for many individuals and establishments
with passion for palm trees and date fruits. It is also a family forum for all
members of the family as it includes many heritage activities shows for seven
continuous days, embodying the vision and mission of the festival represented in
continuing on the road of giving established and supported by late Sheikh Zayed
Bin Sultan Al Nahyan may he rest in peace, with follow-up by HH Sheikh Khalifa
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE may God protect him, in exerting
further efforts and dedicating resources toward developing palm trees growing
and activating its economic role.
The continuous success of this unique festival, celebrating season of date and its
great traditions, is attributed to the kind care by HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan deputy prime minister, and minister of presidential affairs.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture (TCA) Abu Dhabi, being the
organizing body of Liwa Date Festival 8th edition, has made available all such
means and resources to promote the festival and its significant activities, as this
event is considered the most important event on national, regional and global
levels. This festival is unique, giving special care to the palm tree and all things
related to it.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture (TCA) Abu Dhabi reserves and
protects the culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi Emirate, promoting its cultural
aspects and tourism products, which ultimately promotes Abu Dhabi as a global
tourism and cultural destination enriching the society and visitors with such
heritage and culture.
Liwa Date Festival comes in line with an important series of activities annually
organized in the western region in Abu Dhabi emirate, thanks to the non-stop
support and care and follow-up by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
representative of the ruler in the western region. These distinguished activities
include Dhafra Festival of Camels, Liwa International Festival Tal Mireb, Western
Region Festival for Water Games, Emirates Desert Rally, and Dalma Heritage
Festival.
The activities of the 8th edition of Liwa Date Festival will start Thursday 12 July
by Date Competition, being the main competition in the festival, on category
of “Dabbas” and “the biggest Adj”; while Friday 13 July will be for category of
lemons and mangos; Saturday 14 July will be for category of “Khanaizi and Abu
M’aan”; Sunday 15 July for category of “Khalas” and “Faradh”; Monday 16 July
for cooking competition; Tuesday 17 July for category of “Faradh” and “the most
beautiful show”, Wednesday 18 July for honoring sponsors.
The Popular Souk displays the local products of the UAE reflecting the traditions
of the UAE society, where heritage handcrafted tools and products are displayed
in 160 shops for traditional items and handcrafts made by more than 300 emirati
local families.
Many cultural sessions will also be held with an aim to highlight the UAE
heritage and to promote awareness on the most prominent elements of popular
Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei
Head of Festival Higher Organizing Committee
Culture and Heritage Affairs Consultant at Office of H.H. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
Board Member of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) Abu Dhabi
traditions, etiquette of eating foods, and manner of greeting, in addition to Kids’
Tent where interesting traditional and popular games and competitions will be
held. The festival also includes many traditional shows and games.
The festival supervisors exert huge efforts toward raising the farmers’ awareness
on the latest ways of farming, encouraging them to use the best and suitable
ways to improve the quality of the palm trees, in addition to educating them on
the optimal ways to use and conserve the irrigation water.
In the previous edition of the festival, the organizing committee supported the
farmers and producers of date fruits through purchasing (4540) tons of date
directly from farmers, not forgetting to give winners valuable prizes amounting
more than AED 4.200.000.
It has become well known that the festival plays such an important role toward
activating the economic cycle of Liwa City and western region, including
the commercial and service sectors, which ultimately brings benefit to the
inhabitants of the region where huge numbers of people come to buy from
them. Last year, the number of visitors exceeded 70.000 visitors including locals,
residents, and tourists.
Moreover, the UAE date fruits have become well known in the international
markets, becoming an important economic sector realizing such high returns
and profits. According to a recent study, the UAE comes in the first rank exporting
dates on world level with share 33% of global exports. The UAE exports reach
around 266.000 tons to more than 30 countries.
The successful management and organization of the festival as well as promotion
campaigns are the fruit of the coordination among and by all relevant authorities,
ensuring integration of roles and saving time and money, in addition to
motivating the local and regional societies to take part in the festival’s activities.
On this occasion, and in the name of his highness the sponsor of the festival,
and in the name of the higher organizing committee, I should be glad to thank
all establishments making this success with us in preserving and maintaining our
great heritage:
- Platinum Sponsor: ADNOC Group of Companies
- Golden Sponsor: Al Dahra Agricultural Farm, Al Foah Palm Tree Growing and
Development Company.
I would also like to thank the festival partners:
Representative of Ruler in the Western Region, Western Region Municipality,
Western Region Police, Environment Authority “Abu Dhabi”, Western Region
Development Council, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Transportation Department,
Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Wastes
Management Center in Abu Dhabi, and Farmers’ Services Center in Abu Dhabi .
I would also like to thank all media entities continuously covering the festival
activities.
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
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Liwa, Capital of Civilization and
Oasis of History
Liwa Oasis is located in the western
region of Abu Dhabi emirate,
constituting an arch from west
south to east south in the heart of Al
Dhafra territory, with width ranging
between 40 – 50 miles, and with 52
main areas including (Al Nashash,
Hafeef, Katoof, AL Hela, and western
Mariah). The sand dunes heights
reach 25 – 40 meters above sea
level, with different shapes including
crescent and long ones. Liwa has a
large number of castles and forts
out of which are known till now
fifteen castles and forts existing in
the oasis. Some of them need more
exploration for further discovery,
while others are existing till now
under maintenance and restoration
works. These include Dhafeer Castle
built by Bani Yass; Mukeb Castle
built by Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed,
Al Ghareeb, Al Tark, and Khanor
Castle built by Bani Yass in the first
period of Shakhboot’s reign; Haweel
Castle or Um Hesn Castle built by Al
Manaseer in the period 1883 -1890;
Katoof Castle built by Bani yass;
Nameel (Naheel) Castle built by
Bu Flah; and Hmar in Butain Castle
which is the oldest fort in Liwa with
few remains; Al Meel Castle; Al Ad
Castle built by Al Bu Munzer fifty
years ago; Al Jabanna Castle, in
6 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
addition to Western Mariah Castle
built by Bloushee fifty to sixty years
ago under order by Sheikh Hamdan
Bin Zayed; and Al Heela Castle which
only now has its cylinder-shaped
tower.
Liwa is one of the biggest oasis in the
Arabia Peninsula, its name is derived
from the local word “Al Jawa”
meaning Green Oasis or a place of
rest and relaxation. The oasis’ length
is 100 KM having the crescent shape
with many dunes of different colors,
and palm trees making the oasis an
important place for farming in the
western region.
The annual Liwa Date Festival has
made Liwa a hub for local farmers,
welcoming large numbers of people
who love Date and who enjoy being
the desert.
Historically speaking, Liwa Oasis is
closely linked to the union of Bani
Yas tribes, where Al Nahyan Family,
the Abu Dhabi ruling family, is one of
these tribes.
Thanks to the western region
development project, Abu Dhabi is
currently developing the capabilities
of Liwa Oasis as a tourist hub by
establishing different facilities of
entertainment and recreational
activities in that region.
Culture and History
Liwa Oasis has been the last spot
of human settlement on the north
part of sand dunes filed of 650000
KMs which has become known
in the name of “Empty Quarter”
for being vast and for having such
harsh climate conditions and hard
environment. Bedouins made
underground water springs for
dates farming, and therefore forty
villages were set up in Liwa before
the sixteenth century.
Liwa Oasis farms continued being
important for Bani Yas tribes, where
many forts and castles were built
over the centuries in Liwa cities to
protect the sources of water and for
marking the lands of the different
families.
No adventurer throughout the
history has passed the empty
quarter without visiting Liwa for
its location. Welford Thesiger is
the most famous explorer who has
passed the desert of empty quarter
many times between years 1945
and 1949 and he had rest in Liwa
Oasis before continuing his journey
to Abu Dhabi. In his description of
the nature of the farmers’ life there,
he talked about that nature and how
they took care of the palm trees, and
how they used such trees fronds for
building their homes in addition to
being a source of income.
After establishing the UAE, late
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
may he rest in peace, launched the
western region development project,
in addition to launching restoration
works in many forts in Liwa Oasis,
and gave special attention to the
environment in the Oasis itself.
Liwa City is located in the Heart of
Al Dhafra Region, and is known as
the good hearted Bedouin castle,
an oasis full of good people of
generosity and tolerance. Abu Dhabi
people resorted to Liwa in past as
being a stronghold for them where
no enemy could enter that place,
and no foreigner lived in it at all.
Liwa is a place of originality, with
attraction sense to past. HH ruler of
the emirate gives it special attention
and care. Liwa inhabitants are of
three segments: (Bedouins, Islands
people, and farmers). Recently, Liwa
has become a modern city with full
services and complete utilities.

Palm Tree,
A Journey of Long History
Palm tree is a significant symbol of Arabian Desert, and part of
Arab History, their civilization, culture, and heritage. The countries
surrounding the Arab Gulf, in addition to Iraq, Arabian Peninsula
and Bahrain, as well as the Arab western countries are the original
homeland of palm tree.
Palm Tree lives long, and has a thick stem soaring high up to 30
meters, with feather-like leaves called fronds, with gorgeous
appearance. It is a dual plant, male and female. Some male parts
need to be transferred to be sprayed to female ones. The Palm Tree’s
date fruits first are green, then become yellow or red color.
Date can be eaten in early maturity stage as it becomes ripe, fully
ripe, or dry. Date piece length ranges between 2.5 to 7.5 cm with a
cylinder shape. Each Palm tree can produce about 100 kgs up to 400
kgs in some kinds. Generally, in early stage growing of date, the date
fruit is soft, half-dry, or dry.
Dates are fruits of high nutritional value containing natural sugars,
proteins, and potassium salts and vitamins. It can be stored easily.
The Palm Tree becomes fruitful in mid summer time, some kinds may
give date fruits earlier or later which depends on kind of palm tree
and its place.
Palm Tree is environment friendly because it is entirely useful to
man. In addition to its fruits, palm tree fibers can be used for making
ropes and stuff materials for furniture. Leaves can be used for making
different things like baskets and popular traditional hats. Fronds can
be used for making baskets, fruit containing vessels made of palm
tree fronds, in addition to making chairs and beds. Date seeds can be
used for making oils, while palm tree stem and trunk can be used for
ceilings and pillars of houses in countryside.
Palm Tree reproduces by the shoots which grow at the bottom of
the trunk of the tree. This is a guaranteed way for reproducing.
Also, palm tree can reproduce through its seeds, but this way is not
guaranteed in terms of results where percentage of success does not
exceed 30%.
Palm Trees are well known for ability to resisting thirst and soil
dryness. These trees are grown on straight lines making shadow
where other plants such as lemons, parsley, etc., can be grown under
such shadow.
Palm Tree is available with different kinds in the Arab countries.
Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said that Palm Tree is the “cousin of
man”, and it is mentioned 23 times in Holy Qur’an.
Historically speaking, the Palm Tree, according to scientists, started
its natural journey 80 million years ago. Palm Tree, since separated
from the family of other plants, has been able to accommodate with
natural harsh changes, and therefore it started spreading 60 million
years ago. However, using palm tree for eating started in middle east,
specifically in Arab Gulf region 5000 years ago. Palm Tree was used
by different civilizations including Pharos in Egypt, Babel in Iraq (was
symbol for Ishtar).
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
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A Success Challenging Harshness of Desert
Liwa Date Festival, a Landmark and a Proud History
Liwa Date Festival is the important
gate and landmark, titles deservedly
won by Liwa Date Festival, giving over
the last few years a heritage dimension
full of components of history and
original civilization. It tells stories of
deserts and its people, stories linking
past with present throughout life.
Today, Liwa Date Festival starts its 8th
edition. This great festival has now
become globally known. Let’s have a
quick view on the previous editions
and how it has developed today.
First Festival (2005): It was held under
the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan deputy prime
minister and minister of presidential
affairs, at Liwa City Wedding Hall in
Mzeraa town, where about 1200
farmers took part displaying more
than 5000 dishes of their best dates
produced in 2005 season.
Second Festival (2006): It was held
under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh
Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
deputy prime minister and minister
of presidential affairs. From being
only an exhibition showing the
products of dates in a certain area,
the festival developed to become an
event expanding farmers’ horizons
and raising their awareness on
growing dates and related issues, thus
attracting attention of many people
inside and outside the region.
Third Festival (2007): It was held under
the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan deputy prime
minister and minister of presidential
affairs. The festival became an annual
event gathering the productive
families from the region in addition to
focusing on the tourist and economic
sides for producing dates in oasis. 90
prizes were distributed and awarded
to competitors. Also, 76 shops were
equipped for the productive families
and 60 shops made sales exceeding
AED 1500000.
The third session of the festival
witnessed a display of a distinguished
elite of vegetables and fruits meeting
the admiration of the attendees,
produced by the model farm in the
western region, belonging to the
Public Parks Section in Abu Dhabi
Municipality, after it succeeded in
realizing a distinguished and abundant
production of free chemical and
organic vegetables.
8 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
Fourth Festival (2008): It was held
under the kind patronage of General
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
deputy commander of Armed Forces.
The festival became a multi event and
activities occasion. In addition to the
main activity being Date Competition,
the festival witnessed other heritage
handcrafts, poetry, collective wedding
parties, awareness-raising lectures on
palm trees and agriculture in general,
popular games, religious lectures,
cultural competitions, and a special
course for raising children awareness
on palm trees, in addition to a large
auction of dates.
The numbers of participants mounted
reaching 3800 participants, and the
number of the competing palm tree
farms in both western and eastern
regions became 27 thousand farms.
A 6-killo basket of dates was sold for
AED 40.000. Also, 250 young men
registered in the collective wedding
party held on the sideline of the
festival.
Also, the number of the prizes in the
current festival increased becoming
140 prizes. Also, the winners’ ranks
also increased to meet the increasing
numbers of festival, which we hope
to become an international festival in
the coming sessions.
150 shops were equipped for the
productive families who will largely
take part in the festival of this year;
and 120 sale centers and showrooms
of leading companies realized sales
amounting AED 1780000 out of the
total sales being AED 2.200.000
realized in the festival, representing
the sales of exhibition and sales
of auction which was held on the
sideline of the activities.
Fifth Festival (2009): The festival was
held under the kind patronage of H.H.
Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
deputy prime minister and minister
of presidential affairs. It achieved big
success, attracting more than 60.000
visitors including a large number
of foreign tourists. The number
of participations has also risen in
the festival competitions, where the
number of participants reached 1769
coming from all UAE exhibiting 5715
baskets of dates.
General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince and deputy commander of the
armed forces, ordered Liwa Dates
Festival organized by Abu Dhabi Culture
and Heritage Authority, 35.000 palm
seeds to be distributed to winners
and participants in the festival, in
appreciation from his highness to their
interest and keenness on this original
heritage. This came after his H.H. visit
to the activities of the 6th session of
Liwa Date Festival 2010.
Also, the new logo and the website
of the festival were launched, as such
website provides excellent media
and statistics services being the first
of its kind. There is also an exhibition
for the participating exhibitors, and
kids’ tent, and heritage taste contest
where famous chefs working in the
UAE hotels compete preparing dates
dishes, besides the main contest of the
festival, namely “Date” Competition” in
all kinds.
The number of participants for this
season exceeds 350 families sharing
190 popular shops all of them are
dubbed “Liwa Mahadher” introducing
the identity of each shop owner ,
and to whom each Mahdar belongs.
Displays were also various ranging from
handcrafts showing the UAE’s national
tools in the past, that is before the
wide-scaled development occurring
the UAE, in addition to the industries
incorporating dates, in addition to a
number of participations within the
program “Sougha” belonging to Khalifa
Fund for Supporting and Developing
the small and medium projects.
Also, 11 local and Gulf governmental
departments concerned with
growing and producing dates took
part, in addition to “AL Fo’a” Dates
Producing Company and a number
of governmental departments and
institutions including the Western
Region municipality and Directorate
General of Western Region Police, Abu
Dhabi Health Company “Seha”, Culture
and Heritage Authority and other
government institutions.
The festival prizes for this year have

eached about 3.5 million dirhams,
including cars and cash prizes. The
10-day-long competition involves
all farmers in the UAE, where the
process of receiving participations
occurs at fixed centers, one for Abu
Dhabi emirate at Mzaira Area, while
farmers from other emirates can
deliver their participations at the site
of the festival.
One prize is distributed every two
days, which can be cash prize ranging
in value from 15.000 to 60.000
dirhams for each winner participating
in the Date competition including
kinds of dates such as “Khalas”, “Bu
M’aan”, “Dabbas”, and “Faradh” in
addition elite dates including all kinds
of dates, in addition to contest of the
best shows.
Sixth Festival (2010): The festival was
held under the kind patronage of H.H.
Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
deputy prime minister and minister
of presidential affairs. It achieved big
success, attracting more than 70.000
visitors including a large number
of foreign tourists. The number of
participations has also risen in the
festival competitions, where the
number of participants reached 1769
coming from all UAE displaying 6000
baskets of dates.
The festival was held on an area
of 50.000 sq.mt., in a heritage and
tourist carnival attracting those
interested in palm trees, dates,
farmers, and various institutions, in
addition to turning to a family festival
attracting all members of family
through the fantastic heritage and
traditional activities.
The prizes of the festival exceeded
five million dirhams for different
categories of festival, including cash
and in-kind prizes.
Liwa Dates Festival 2010 was
organized under sponsorship by Adnoc
and its Group Company, and with
Platinum Sponsorship by Emirates
Establishment for Nuclear Energy and
with Golden Sponsorship by Al Dahra
Agriculture Company and Al Foah
Company for Developing Palm Tree
Sector and with silver sponsorship
by Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society
and the media sponsorship by Abu
Dhabi Media Company. The festival
is supported by Western Region
Development Council, Western
Region Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police
General Headquarter, Abu Dhabi
Food Control Authority, Abu Dhabi
Distribution Company, and Abu Dhabi
Transport Company
Seventh Exhibition (2011): The
festival was held under the kind
patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan deputy prime
minister and minister of presidential
affairs. Annual Liwa Dates Festival is
considered one of the most important
heritage festivals supported by Abu
Dhabi Culture and Heritage Authority
annually, in addition to support from
many other governmental and private
institutions and entities.
Sponsor of festival H.H. Sheikh
Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan deputy
prime minister and minister of
presidential affairs visited Liwa Dates
Festival 2011 activities.
Also, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin
Mohammed Al Nahyan representative
of Abu Dhabi Ruler in the Eastern
Region, and H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin
Mubarak minister of higher education
and Scientific Research visited the
festival activities and pavilions.
The festival was also visited by H.H.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
representative of Abu Dhabi Ruler
in the Western Region. Holding the
festival annually comes in line with
the directives by the UAE leadership
and the considerable care given to it
by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan President of the UAE and H.H.
General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed
Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
deputy commander of armed forced,
supporting the farmers and taking
care of the palm tree being a national
resource.
During the current year, the festival
has increased the categories of dates
participating in competition, rising
from six to seven categories. Category
“Biggest Addj” was added and its
prizes were given to the first fifteen
winners.
As part of expanding this activity,
during the current year the festival
management has decided to add a
competition related to Mango and
Lemon under high regulations and
fixed criteria, stipulating that the
production shall be local from the
UAE and from the same year, and
that Mango and Lemon produced for
competition shall be from the farm
or house of the participant, free of
apparent defects. Also, fruits must be
of suitable and reasonable size and
fully ripe.
Categories of Mango and Lemon
competition are distributed to local
and varied Mangoes, and the same is
applicable to Lemons, in addition to
the most beautiful heritage show.
First Festival
(2005) began at
Liwa City Wedding
Hall in Mzeraa
town, where about
1200 farmers took
part displaying
more than 5000
dishes of their best
dates produced in
2005 season.
Liwa Dates Festival is not limited
to competitions, as there are other
shows and activities held during the
festival days through the popular souk
(market) displaying many traditional
and heritage tools and handcrafts
made of Palm trees and dates,
reflecting the spirit of the heritage of
Liwa Dates Festival.
This year, the souk has been home
of 160 shops displaying handcrafts
including clothes, rugs, baskets,
foodstuff, and beverages, basically
using palm tree and its ancillaries.
The number of festival visitors for
this season has exceeded 70,000
visitors from different nationalities.
The festival has been an important
occasion and event for leading chefs
operating the UAE preparing such
delicious dishes combining between
European and Emirati cuisines, as
some dishes depend on dates, not
forgetting the sweets using the dates
as well.
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
9

Liwa, the Highest Bunkers
for Golfers in the world
Dunes in Liwa desert mount up to 250 feet. Liwa desert is considered the
gate of “Empty Quarter” which was crossed by the English traveler Welfred
Thesger in 1940. He wrote a book under the title “Arabian Sands”.
This actually was an open challenge for the English man Luc Donald the first
ranked on world level, before the start of Abu Dhabi Championship HSBC
Golf, last January, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Donald succeeded in overcoming
this barrier sending the ball through the biggest bunker in the world, a huge
hill in Liwa desert.
Donald, becoming last year the first golfer on top list of professional golfers
for winning most financial prizes in the American and European tournaments
simultaneously: “It is a huge bunker. Spending most of our times inside golf
fields, sometimes we miss the discovery of the natural atmosphere and
desert in Abu Dhabi. I should confess that I hesitated for sometime before
challenging these huge dunes”.
10 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

Date Fruit Comes First
Date fruits contain full elements of
nutrition including proteins, natural
sugar, oil, calcium, iron, sulfates,
potassium, magnesium, chlorine,
etc.” in addition to vitamins A, B1,
B2, C, and provides the body with
power naturally. Date fruit gives
water, mineral salts, and fibers.
All these nutritional values and
elements are available in this great
date fruit which has oval shape,
ranging in length from 20 to 60 mm
and 8 to 30 cm in diameter.
Date fruit is the first among all
fruits in terms of having such full
nutritional values. This great fruit
was the main course food for
ancient Arabs, giving them power to
resist harshness of desert. Date fruit
is mentioned in many popular and
traditional Arab heritage and stories
narrated by grandfathers.
Date fruit has huge number of
benefits for health. It is called
“mine” meaning store of benefit
for strong health, gives power to
liver, muscles, and nerves, keeps
body young and strong, fights
anxiety of nerves, softens the blood
vessels, and protect intestines
from weakness and inflammation,
strengthens the brain elements,
fights laziness and laxity, produces
urine, cleans liver and kidneys.
Date fruits can be eaten in any stage
of growth, whether semi-ripe, full
ripe, or even dry.
Chefs from all around the world
have used date fruits in making
countless dishes of delicious sweets
and foods, such as date molasses
which was made by Arab long time
ago, and date jam in most Arab
houses.
Although traditional, date fruits have
also been in line with modernity as
being available on table with other
dishes today.
Date fruits can be used for making
date cakes which are well known
and eaten especially during Eids and
on special occasions, in addition to
being with Cheese Cake dish and Ice
Cream.
Date fruits are also incorporated
with nuts giving it such appealing
shape and delicious taste.
Dates are usually incorporated and
blended with Chocolates giving
together such great taste, making
children happy, and giving the body
power all day.
In addition to using it in sweets,
date can also be used in preparing
main food courses for lunch or even
dinner meals including Tagen Dish,
Tagen Vegetables and Dates, Tagen
Chicken and Dates, Tagen Prawns
and Dates, Dates and nuts, Tagen
lamb meat and dates, etc.
Date fruits have been used not only
by Arab chefs but also by foreign
chefs, which makes it globally
known in western and European
cuisines. Recently, an Italian chef
made date pickles in addition to
preparing a dish of duck liver with
dates, also dish of Italian cheese,
date, and camel milk.
Date fruits inspire chefs toward
delicious dishes every day endlessly
just like its endless benefits. It is the
fruit of Life Tree.
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
11

Date Competition
General Conditions of Date Competition:
1- Dates must be of UAE local production
2- Dates are not accepted in the competition
3- Production must be from the participant’s farm
4- Farm Ownership documents must be submitted upon registration.
5- An individual can take part in two categories; while the “elite” category is available for all.
6- For participation in the elite category, the number of items to be presented in the participation must not be less than 15
items, and not more than 20 items.
7- 50% of assessment degree for winner shall be determined after the judging committee inspects the farm and makes sure of
the following:
- General cleanliness of the farm
- To what extent the farmer is taking care of the palm tree (general cleanliness of palm tress)
- Using the optimal ways of irrigations for saving irrigation water
- Complying with dates and times for delivering the samples as per the dates and time pre-scheduled
Specifications of Date and Criteria of Competition:
- Must be of local production, 2012 season
- Percentage of maturity of date must not exceed 50%, but must be at suitable maturity stage.
- Each participation must not contain more than one item in the single-item categories.
- Must be free of insect infections, or any dead insects, larva, etc.
- Must be free of apparent defects and deformations
- Must be free of any abnormal smell or taste, or any metal or sand impurities such as scars and blemishes
- Must be of suitable and acceptable size
- Must not contain any unripe fruits
- Must be free of any insecticides and chemical fertilizers (winning participations will be tested in labs)
- Dates must be presented in the participations in all categories of competition must be presented in (Mekhrafa)
- Participation weight must be from 5 to 8 KGs for individual items.
- Participation weight must be from 2 to 3 KGs for elite category.
- Participants must accept the judging committee’s decision.
12 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

Dates - Competition Categories Timetable
Day
Thursday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Date Competition Notes
12 July 2012
Al Dabas + Biggest
Etheg Category
Receiving & Judging
14 July 2012 Al kunaizi + Bou Maan
10am - 2pm: Receiving & Judging + Farm
Inspection; 5pm - 10pm: Results
15 July 2012 Khallas + Al Farth
10am - 2pm: Receiving & Judging + Farm
Inspection; 5pm - 10pm: Results
16 July 2012 Cooking
10am - 2pm: Farm Inspection;
5pm - 10pm: Results
17 July 2012
18 July 201
Al Nukhba Category +
Best Heritage Show
Sponsors Awards
Liwa Date Festival Awards
1st Awards for Al Dabbas,
Al Kunaizi, Khallas,
Bou Maan , Al Farth
Categories
Place 125000
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
11 th Place
12 th Place
13 th Place
14 th Place
15 th Place
100000
75000
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
Awards for
Al Nukhba Category
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
11 th Place
12 th Place
13 th Place
14 th Place
15 th Place
200000
150000
100000
50000
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
10am - 2pm: Receiving & Judging;
5pm - 10pm: Results
10am - 2pm: Farm Inspection;
5pm - 10pm: Results
1st Awards for
The Biggest Etheg
Category
Place 50000
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
11 th Place
12 th Place
13 th Place
14 th Place
15 th Place
40000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
Awards for
Best Heritage Show
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
11 th Place
12 th Place
13 th Place
14 th Place
15 th Place
50000
40000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
13

Mangos and Lemons Competition
General Conditions for Mango and Lemons Competition:
1- Products must be of UAE Local production
2- Mangos and Lemons presented by the participant must be from the same participant’s farm or
house’ production.
3- Farm or House Ownership documents must be submitted upon registration for participation in the
competition
4- An individual may take part in two categories of competition
5- Inspection of Farms and Houses: The judging committee will inspect the first-place winning farms and
houses.
Mangos and Lemons Specifications and Criteria of Competition:
1- Products must be local and of 2012 season exclusively
2- Each participation must not contain more than one kind in the categories of the specific item.
3- Products must be free of any defects or infections
4- Products must be free of apparent defects and deformations
5- Products must be of suitable and acceptable sizes
6- Products must not contain any unripe fruits
7- Products to be used in participation in all categories of competition, must be presented in “Mekhrafa”
8- Participating products weight must be from 4 to 6 KGs
9- Participants must accept the judging committee’s decision
14 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

Dates - Competition Categories Timetable
Day
Date Competition Notes
Friday 13 July 2012 Mango & Lemon 10am - 2pm: Receiving
& Judging + Farm
Inspection; 5pm - 10pm:
Awards for
The local mango
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
25000
20000
15000
12000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
Awards for
the diversity
mango
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
25000
20000
15000
12000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
Awards for
The local lemon
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
25000
20000
15000
12000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
Awards for
the diversity
lemon
1 st Place
2 nd Place
3 rd Place
4 th Place
5 th Place
6 th Place
7 th Place
8 th Place
9 th Place
10 th Place
25000
20000
15000
12000
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
15

16 Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012

Liwa Date Festival 2012 Liwa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, from 12 to 18 July 2012
17