Liwa Date Festival expected to attract 70,000 visitors

People attend last year’s Liwa Date Festival. This year’s event is expected to attract 70,000 visitors. Wam

ABU DHABI // The Liwa Date Festival this year is expected to attract up to 70,000 visitors to the Western Region town.

The Emirati heritage festival, which will take place from July 20 to July 30, will award 220 prizes worth Dh6 million to the winners of a range of heritage, cultural, art and farm produce competitions, including the producers of the best dates, lemons and mangoes.

“The festival is one of the most significant” in terms of reinforcing the role of heritage in creating “an honourable and promising future”, said Obaid Al Mazrouei, the festival’s director. “Such an endeavour ensures cultural development that celebrates heritage for generations to come.”

The festival also aims to stimulate the Western Region’s economy. One of its top priorities is to encourage farmers to produce better quality fruit to gain local and international recognition.

“In each new edition, we remain keen on celebrating the date season,” Mr Al Mazrouei said. “The palm trees and dates represent an integral part of our deep-rooted heritage. Hence, we continue to work towards the development of the palm plantation in the UAE.”

According to the United Nations, the UAE has planted about 22 million palm trees over the past few decades. The UAE also holds a leading position among more than 40 countries in the production and export of dates.