Liwa Date Festival 2025 branches out with new competitions, innovations and activations
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The upcoming Liwa Date Festival is set to introduce new initiatives that will deepen the festival's environmental and cultural significance. In an interview with Aletihad, Zayed Sari Al Mazrouei, Head of the Events Department at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and a member of the organising committee, highlighted an innovation that will repurpose discarded parts of date palm trees.'This year's edition introduces a creative initiative that encourages the reuse of palm tree parts (palm trunk) to craft artworks that reflect sustainability values, merging both environmental awareness and artistic expression,' Al Mazrouei said.This year, the festival will feature 24 heritage and agricultural competitions, divided into categories such as dates, fruits and model farms, with prizes exceeding Dh8.7 million on offer.There will also be daily cultural events and a market to support date farmers.The 21st Liwa Date Festival will be held from July 14 to 27 in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, 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 takes place during the UAE's date harvest season, celebrating the palm tree as a symbol of national identity while promoting sustainable farming, food security, as well as Abu Dhabi's push to modernise agriculture.Al Mazrouei previewed some other highlights of the upcoming festival.Another new addition is the 'Zamli' (a distinct variety of date) to the date auction competition rounds, which aim to broaden farmer participation by diversifying date varieties.'Fifteen prizes worth Dh397,000 have been allocated for this round,' Al Mazrouei noted.Discussing the community aspect of the event, Al Mazrouei highlighted the festival's broader role in preserving Emirati heritage.'The most important programmes include a variety of heritage events, activities and exhibits that tell visitors stories from Emirati heritage through shops rich in handicrafts and traditional crafts,' he said.'There are also theatre performances, heritage competitions, workshops and performing arts panels designed to instil heritage knowledge in all segments of the community.'Touching on the festival's contribution to Abu Dhabi's sustainable agricultural goals, Al Mazrouei explained: 'The Liwa Date Festival embodies the UAE's and Abu Dhabi's interest in sustainable palm cultivation. This is in line with the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was the founder of the comprehensive agricultural renaissance that transformed the UAE into a green oasis, where the palm tree was a symbol of giving.'
Indeed, this vision continues today, with the palm tree at the heart of national identity and food security efforts.
'The festival is also an important platform for supporting farmers to improve the quality of their production,' he added.It brings together stakeholders from across palm-related industries, offering a space to exchange expertise and best practices.Government and private agricultural entities use the festival to connect and promote sustainable farming methods.Empowering women and the youth is another key goal of the event.'It includes women's craft workshops that introduce traditional palm-based industries, on-stage competitions, and a popular market that allows productive families to engage economically,' he said.The festival will have dedicated spaces for children and school groups, where kids will be engaged through activities such as colouring heritage items and participating in interactive games designed to instil cultural knowledge.'The festival opens its doors daily to visitors of all ages and backgrounds from 4pm to 10pm,' Al Mazrouei added.Another new aspect of the festival is a competition in which palm tree remnants are transformed into creative artworks, blending sustainability goals with artistic innovation.'It revolves around recycling the palm trunk to produce artworks that achieves sustainable value,' said Al Mazrouei.'This is linked to the societal view of the palm tree, which sees value in all its parts.'Modern tools have helped the festival evolve and engage visitors.'The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has always been keen to keep pace with modern developments that improve the visitor experience,' Al Mazrouei noted.'The festival app connects participants, farmers and visitors to the festival's events and news, and helps streamline registration. We've also released a detailed brochure to guide all attendees.'Despite its growth, the festival remains firmly rooted in its cultural heritage.
'The festival embodies the Emirati nature that looks to the future while preserving its essence and identity,' added Al Mazrouei.
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