The first session of "The eye is wet" It is launched to celebrate the palm tree and support farmers
Al Ain, July 26 / WAM / Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, the activities of the first session of the Al Ain Dates Festival, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and continuing until July 31, began yesterday, Saturday, at Al Sarooj Park in Al Ain.
The festival comes as an extension of the stations of the date season organized by the Authority, and its first stop was the twenty-second session of the Liwa Date Festival, which concluded last Thursday, so that the season continues its journey from the oases of Al Ain, which has been known throughout its history for producing the finest dates, within the framework of a vision based on the integration of agricultural environments and the different seasons of fruit ripening, which provides wider opportunities for farmers to market their production, enhances the sustainability of the agricultural sector, and confirms the historical connection between the Emirati person and the palm tree, which… Over the generations, it has formed a fundamental pillar in his life, economy and heritage.
The opening day of the festival witnessed an inspection tour by His Excellency Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, during which he was accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed Hamad bin Rakkad Al Ameri, and the executive directors of the Authority.
During the tour, His Excellency was briefed on the progress of the festival’s competitions and the participation they are witnessing that reflects the quality of agricultural production in Al Ain’s oases. He inspected the mechanisms for receiving entries and judging local date and fruit competitions. He visited the popular market, the participating pavilions, heritage events, and activities that showcase traditional knowledge and professions associated with the palm tree.
His Excellency Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Festivals and Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, said that the festival comes as an extension of the Authority’s efforts to enhance the presence of the palm tree in community life, support farmers, and preserve the agricultural heritage that has, over decades, formed an integral part of the UAE’s identity.
He added: “The Authority is keen for the Al Ain Dates Festival to be a platform that brings together farmers, experts and interested parties, and contributes to highlighting the quality of local production, encouraging the exchange of experiences, and introducing the best agricultural practices. We have prepared an integrated program that keeps pace with the status of the city of Al Ain as one of the most important agricultural environments in the country, and gives farmers an opportunity to display the fruits of their efforts in a competitive atmosphere based on justice and transparency.”
He pointed out that the festival, which falls within the wet season, represents the outcome of a full year of work and care for the palm tree, stressing that every participation in the competitions reflects accumulated experience in palm cultivation and care, which gives the competitions value that goes beyond results and prizes to documenting and preserving agricultural knowledge.
His Excellency explained that the first session of the Al Ain Date Festival was designed to provide an integrated experience for participants and visitors, through date competitions, heritage events, traditional crafts, and community activities that introduce new generations to the place that the palm tree has occupied in the life of Emirati people, and the role it continues to play in supporting food security and promoting agricultural development.
He stressed that organizing the Al Ain Date Festival after the Liwa Date Festival reflects the vision of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority for the continuity and integration of date season festivals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to keep pace with the differences in ripening seasons between regions, and provides broader opportunities for farmers to participate and highlight their production, thus enhancing the sustainability of this vital sector, and preserving the agricultural heritage associated with the palm tree for future generations.
The festival, which receives visitors daily from 4 pm to 10 pm, aims to preserve agricultural heritage, encourage the best modern practices in palm care, enhance food security, and improve the quality of the local product, in addition to stimulating economic activity and spreading awareness of the importance of the palm tree and its role in the life of Emirati society. It also provides a platform that brings together farmers, experts, stakeholders and the public in an environment that celebrates production, knowledge and heritage.
The festival includes 19 main competitions, for which 245 prizes have been allocated with a total value of more than five million dirhams. These include competitions for decorating fresh dates for the varieties of Khalas, Fard, Boumaan, Al-Khunaizi, Shishi, and Zamili, in addition to competitions for the elite, the largest fresh sheep, the house sheep, the most beautiful fresh date fresh, and creativity from the trunk of the palm tree, in addition to local fruit competitions that include mango, lemon, and figs, in a way that reflects… The agricultural diversity that characterizes Al Ain oases motivates farmers to develop their production and improve its quality.
The festival includes various heritage and entertainment activities, in addition to a heritage market and pavilions for sponsors and partners, allowing visitors to have an integrated interactive experience that embodies the vision of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in preserving agricultural heritage, linking heritage with development, and enhancing the sustainability of this heritage for future generations.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
