From Liwa to Al Ain…the wet season continues its journey between the oases of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, July 21, WAM / With the conclusion of the first leg of the date season approaching with the end of the activities of the 22nd edition of the Liwa Date Festival, the heritage journey continues with the same message to a new station in the city of Al Ain, which is hosting the first session of “Al Ain Dates” from the 25th to the 31st of July at Al Sarooj Park – Al Ain, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.
“Liwa Dates”, which marks the beginning of the activities of the date season, launched its twenty-second session on the 14th of July and will continue until the 23rd of the same month in the city of Liwa in the Al Dhafra region. As the curtain falls on its competitions, all eyes will turn to “Al Ain Dates” to continue the journey in one of the most ancient agricultural environments in the UAE, based on the ancient legacy of the Al Ain oases, and what it is famous for producing the finest dates.
This sequence of date festivals embodies the vision of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in building an integrated and continuous agricultural season, in which there are diverse participation opportunities for farmers, especially since the difference in the timing of ripening of varieties between the regions of the emirate, and the diversity of agricultural environments, gives the national product a continuous presence throughout the season, and allows farmers to present their production before the judging committees and the public at more than one station, which enhances the quality of the local product, encourages the exchange of agricultural experiences, and transfers best practices in palm cultivation and care.
The aspects of complementarity between the two festivals are not limited to date competitions, but rather extend to the message that each festival carries in preserving the agricultural heritage associated with the palm tree, by combining agricultural competitions, traditional crafts, cultural events, heritage markets, and community programs that introduce visitors to the history of the palm tree and its role in the life of the Emirati person, in addition to highlighting the traditional industries derived from parts of the palm tree, and providing examples of the experiences passed down by fathers and grandfathers in agriculture, harvesting, and benefiting from the bounties of this blessed tree.
This system confirms that the palm tree is still a pillar of agricultural and social development in the UAE, and that its care represents an extension of an established approach that has given this sector great attention, to the point that date festivals have become platforms for supporting farmers, preserving local varieties, enhancing food security, and consolidating national identity.
From Liwa to Al Ain, the wet journey continues through the oases of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, bringing with it the farmer’s experience and the values of cooperation, work and production. And between each station and another, the Emirati person’s relationship with his palm trees is renewed, and the wet season continues as a season of giving, in which agriculture intersects with heritage, and in which the memory of the place meets the prospects of the future.
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