To all date lovers and anyone interested in the cultivation of date palms (in French: ‘pheniciculture’) in search of something different to do during these long and hot summer days: the Abu bu Dhabi Aِuthority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is organising for the fifth consecutive year a Dates Festival in Liwa, from the 17th to the 26th of July. Ten days to find out more about this ancestral and precious fruit; ten days to tantalize one’s taste buds. Why not?

A Dates Festival!

If one may be kindly amused by the label, yet the event surely offers a great opportunity to discover more about Gulf heritage... UAE Liwa province will celebrate its fifth Dates Festival.

Best dates competition and other crafts contests, poetry recitals, traditional games, demonstration of new production methods, activities to boost awareness amongst the younger ones, sales of exclusive products, all proving that the event has considerably gained importance over that last few years, attracting more visitors than ever. With the initial aim of promoting and sustaining the work of growers, the festival is also nowadays the opportunity to shed light on an important aspect of the cultural and historical heritage of the region. This year’s event is particularly important as it will mark as well the centenary of the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa, ruler of Abu Dhabi between 1855 and 1909.

An extended family

Native to the Euphrates and Tigris valley (Ancient Mesopotamia), the date palm has been cultivated for over 6000 years, making it one of the oldest fruit bearing trees to be produced. From its indigenous land, specimens have spread to the West throughout the whole of North Africa and to the East towards India, today with hundreds of different species being catalogued. From dates covered by a brownish almost black gown to those lightly covered by a fine translucent film, we can make out an incredible diversity of varieties to discover and savour!

The Dates Festival of Erfoud

Enthused by the Liwa Dates Festival, you might wish to renew the experience some place else, where dates are also revered... Heading for the vast South of Morocco, at Erfoud where festivities are held every October, in celebration of the sacred oblong fruit. This event is once again the chance for producers and consumers to meet in an authentic regional setting. Surrounded by music and the Berber tents, you will be warmly welcomed to the traditional tea drinking ceremony, and on the final day of your trip, you will be able to attend the traditional camel races in the dunes of the Merzouga, one of the world’s most beautiful deserts. An amazing itinerary... But for the time being, no need to travel so far. Just a few steps away in Liwa, where rich encounters await you...

Béatrice Grossi

Festival open from 10am to 10pm daily. Daily shuttle buses for those wishing to attend will be available between Liwa, Al Gharbia and Abu Dhabi throughout the event days. For more info, log onto www.adach.ae