UAE | Heritage and Culture
Liwa Date Festival gets under way
The Fourth Liwa Festival kicked off in Mazirah in the Western Region on Thursday to the rhythms of Ayala (traditional dance).
- By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
- Published: 23:05 July 19, 2008
- The popular date festival in Liwa is being held until August 2.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Abu Dhabi: The Fourth Liwa Festival kicked off in Mazirah in the Western Region on Thursday to the rhythms of Ayala (traditional dance).
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Buti Al Hamed, the Ruler's representative in the Western Region, opened the main exhibition for date production and traditional handicraft products.
He considered the festival this year a reflection of people's concern to keep their heritage and culture alive.
A large number of farmers from the Western Region and Al Ain registered for the Mazayin Al Ratb Festival, the main competition in the festival.
Daily auction
Winners in each category will be chosen by a committee of specialist judges who will measure the dates' form and size and whether they are free from defects.
Starting yesterday a daily auction of dates will be organised along with other activities such as a traditional handcrafts competition, poetry evenings, group weddings, popular games, lectures on palm trees and agriculture, religious lectures, competitions and special sessions to educate children on how to care for palm trees.
The festival will continue until August 2.
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