Newsletter Issue 01

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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