4th Liwa Ajman Dates Festival welcomes over 15,000 visitors

A date and fruits auction was held to raise money to support a number of charitable and humanitarian projects.

The 4th annual Liwa Ajman Dates Festival successfully concluded at the Emirates Hospitality Center in Ajman, UAE on Aug. 4.
Now in its fourth year, the festival celebrates the country’s rich heritage and traditions, providing residents and visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the importance of date palm trees, the farming industry and types of produce grown in the country.
It was organized by the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) under the patronage of Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Ajman.
The three-day festival included a number of educational lectures, providing an opportunity for farmers from the region to share best practices on different cultivation techniques, challenges, and ways to improve the production of a variety of dates. In addition, as part of the ATDD’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan and in line with the UAE’s “Year of Giving,” a date and fruits auction was held to raise money to support a number of charitable and humanitarian projects.
This year’s festival also featured a number of competitions including a date and citrus fruits competition (Mazayna), a photography and video competition, a dessert competition and a grand draw with a car as the main prize.
Visitors were given the chance to sample a wide variety of date-inspired dishes prepared by some of Ajman’s finest chefs at the Culinary Corner while children of all ages were entertained in the Kids’ Corner with cultural competitions and art workshops highlighting the health benefits of dates and the significance of palm trees.
Due to the success of this year’s event, a new award will be introduced next year specifically for palm tree farmers in Ajman in recognition of their outstanding contribution.
Saleh Mohamed Al-Geziry, director general of the ATDD, said: “This year’s event has been our most successful to date. We have seen a huge increase in the number of visitors which is largely down to the diverse program of events, interactive lectures and competitions.”