logo
Liwa Date Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors in 5 days

Liwa Date Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors in 5 days

Al Etihad7 days ago
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 days.The 21st edition of the festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, continues until July 27 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 Dh8.735 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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

DEWA, Shell explore co-operation to advance clean energy, green economy goals
DEWA, Shell explore co-operation to advance clean energy, green economy goals

Al Etihad

time2 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

DEWA, Shell explore co-operation to advance clean energy, green economy goals

26 July 2025 19:06 DUBAI (WAM)Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD&CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a high-level delegation from Shell, led by Fakher Bader, Country Chair for Iraq and the delegation included Geraldine Wessing, Chief Political Analyst – Strategy Insights & Scenarios, and Hessa Abdulla, MENA Media meeting centred on Shell's latest report, The 2025 Energy Security Scenarios: Energy and Artificial Intelligence, which explores how AI could reshape global energy systems through three distinct pathways: Archipelagos, Horizon, and scenarios are vital tools for strategic decision-making, helping stakeholders anticipate future challenges, assess risks, and identify opportunities in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Discussions also highlighted opportunities for synergy in advancing a circular and green Tayer shared DEWA's pioneering projects in clean energy, particularly the ongoing development of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world's largest single-site solar park based on the independent power producer (IPP) model. Its current capacity is 3,860 megawatts (MW), with a planned capacity of 7,260MW by 2030 (the original plan was 5,000 megawatts).The 1,800MW sixth phase of the solar park uses the latest bifacial solar photovoltaic technologies with single-axis tracking. This phase, developed under the IPP model, will provide clean energy for approximately 540,000 residences and reduce around 2.36 million tonnes of carbon emissions Tayer also highlighted the Al Shera'a building, DEWA's new headquarters, which will be the tallest and largest net-positive energy government building in the world. Al Shera'a is designed to achieve platinum certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and silver certification in the WELL Building Standard. The building will leverage advanced technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics and AI, alongside modern renewable energy solutions that ensure outstanding also underlined DEWA's remarkable achievements in adopting AI technologies. DEWA has launched a strategic roadmap to become the world's first AI-native utility, integrating artificial intelligence across all core operations. This supports DEWA's global leadership, ranking first worldwide in 12 key performance indicators in its areas of work. In 2024, DEWA recorded the world's lowest electricity transmission and distribution network losses at 2%, compared to 6% to 7% in Europe and the USA. Water transmission and distribution losses were also the lowest globally, at 4.5%. Additionally, DEWA set a world record for the lowest customer minutes lost (CML), achieving 0.94 minutes per year, compared to an average of 15 minutes in the European Union. Fakher Bader affirmed Shell's commitment to supporting the UAE's clean energy transition.

Al Dhafra Youth Council organises first youth circle at Liwa Date Festival 2025
Al Dhafra Youth Council organises first youth circle at Liwa Date Festival 2025

Al Etihad

time5 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

Al Dhafra Youth Council organises first youth circle at Liwa Date Festival 2025

26 July 2025 16:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Al Dhafra Youth Council, in collaboration with the Nafis Youth Council, the UAE Youth Council for Entrepreneurship, and the UAE Youth Council for Agriculture, organised the first youth circle as part of the Liwa Dates Festival under the theme 'Agricultural Innovation.. An Opportunity for Youth in Entrepreneurship', the circle saw the attendance of key decision-makers, government officials, and young Emirati entrepreneurs working in the agricultural circle was attended by Dr Sultan Bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis); and Moaza Al Nasri, Chief Executive Officer of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. The attendees expressed their support for youth participation in further advancing the agricultural sector, and strengthening sustainability circle highlighted agriculture as a promising path for youth entrepreneurship, particularly in Al Dhafra region, and featured discussions of real-life experiences of young Emiratis who have successfully launched innovative projects after working in the private sector. Key topics included structural challenges in the agricultural market, and the need for targeted training and financial support to enable youth.A group of Emirati youth shared their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys, underscoring the importance of field experience in understanding the local market and launching projects that contribute to economic development and sustainable initiatives aimed at empowering youth and enhancing their presence in the agricultural sector were announced during the circle. These included the announcement of an agricultural guidebook by the Emirates Youth Council for Agriculture, the designation of dedicated spaces for young entrepreneurs to showcase their products at upcoming agricultural festivals, and providing job opportunities for youth in agricultural fields within the private sector. The event concluded with the Youth Councils extending their gratitude to all participating and supporting entities and reaffirming its commitment to organising future circles that foster meaningful dialogue between youth and decision-makers, paving the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in the UAE. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's CMA and NG9 Group sign $15m production deal
Abu Dhabi's CMA and NG9 Group sign $15m production deal

Broadcast Pro

time5 hours ago

  • Broadcast Pro

Abu Dhabi's CMA and NG9 Group sign $15m production deal

Principal photography will begin in September, with local crews and Emirati talent, supporting ADFC's rebate programme to highlight Emirati culture and heritage. The Abu Dhabi Creative Media Authority (CMA) has entered into a strategic partnership with NG9 Group, a consortium comprising Nirvana Holding, Gewan Holding and 9Yards Group, to deliver a slate of major film and television projects valued at AED55m ($15m). The collaboration will launch with the production of two feature films and a 10-episode television series, all aimed at global distribution. Scheduled to begin principal photography in September, the productions will be filmed in Abu Dhabi using local crews and talent, both in front of and behind the camera. This aligns with the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's expanded rebate programme, which encourages productions that highlight Emirati culture and heritage, offering significant financial incentives for qualifying projects. As part of the agreement, CMA will offer comprehensive support including access to filming locations, talent development, casting services and eligibility for the ADFC cashback rebate. In return, NG9 Group will provide preferential services to film projects supported by the Film Commission, including discounted hotel stays, car rentals, flights and luxury transportation options such as yachts and private jets. Khalid Khouri, Director of Industry Development at the Creative Media Authority, said: 'As we work to position Abu Dhabi as one of the world's leading creative hubs, expanding our local industry offering remains a core focus. This exciting new partnership with extensive NG9 team opens up fresh opportunities for investment and collaboration, driving growth across the local economy.' Alaa Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of NG9 Holding, added: 'Aligned with our commitment to advancing the UAE's economy through innovation, local partnerships, sustainability, and community engagement, we are proud to collaborate with CMA. This partnership will not only deliver internationally distributed creative content but will also create career opportunities for talented young filmmakers from Abu Dhabi.' Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, commented: 'This collaboration adds value and aligns with our vision to attract additional production partners who can leverage and utilise our rebate programme – including those partners who are able to reflect our wide variety of filming locations on screen, employ our talented production specialists and businesses and showcase the rich cultural and social heritage of Abu Dhabi in engaging television and film content.' Rami Tmaish, General Manager of 9Yards Pictures, expressed his optimism about the partnership, highlighting its role in showcasing Emirati creativity on a global stage. He confirmed that efforts are already underway to identify Emirati talent in acting, directing, and writing to empower them locally and internationally. He also noted that this initiative will build a strong production ecosystem to enhance the presence of Emirati content with a modern and globally resonant spirit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store