Liwa Date Festival 2013 kicks off on 18th of July

Abu Dhabi, June 10, 2013 (WAM) - Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programmes Committee - Abu Dhabi will organise the 9th edition of the Liwa Date Festival from the 18th to the 25th of July, 2013 in Liwa city in Abu Dhabi's Western Region (Al Gharbia). The unique event, which boasts a heritage dimension and prides itself on keeping alive many aspects of history and past civilisation, seeks to dig into desert secrets, tales of local people and their rich heritage. For the first time, the activities of the new edition of the Festival, which offers prizes totalling Dh 5 million (US$1.36 million), will coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan. The special ambiance of the Holy Month will likely impart distinguished flavours on the significant event. A large public turnout is expected as the Festival will open its doors to visitors on a daily basis, after fast-breaking dinner (Iftar), from 8.00 p.m. to 01.00 a.m. Participation will also be open as usual on a daily basis during the morning session. The Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for the Liwa Date Festival, and Culture and Heritage Advisor at the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programs Committee - Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, hailed the distinguished position the Festival occupies on the agenda of regional heritage events. "The one-of-a-kind Festival offers an exclusive celebration of the dates' season, which was considered by our ancestors as the beginning of a new season of abundant blessings," he said. Mazrouei expressed his pride at the high level presented by participants in the previous edition, which numbered more than 1,500. He also expressed his appreciation for the keenness of all participants to maintain their cultural, and social legacy, and the palm-tree related crafts of ancestors, "Who have transmitted their skills and knowledge to younger generations so as to ensure the continuity of this deep-rooted heritage." "With this year's edition, the Liwa Date Festival will be consolidating its status as a landmark heritage and tourism venue in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," Mazrouei said. With 15 winners in each new promotion round, the total prize money for the 9th edition will be approximately Dh5 million, awarded to more than 200 participants. The varieties for Best Mango and Best Lemons Competitions, which are held for the third time as part of the Liwa Date Festival, include local and mixed varieties. These will be complemented by the Best Heritage Show. – Emirates News Agency, WAM