3rd Liwa Ajman Date Festival kicks off tomorrow

AJMAN, 26th July 26, 2016 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, the 3rd edition of the Liwa Ajman Date Festival will begin tomorrow, 27th July, at the Emirates Hospitality Centre, running until Friday, 29th July.

Prizes worth AED400,000 are up for grabs at this year's festival, where hundreds of Emirati farmers will display their finest date produce and citrus fruits. The main rule for all entries is that the produce is grown locally.

Saud Al Jasmi, Head of Liwa Ajman Date Festival Committee, said, "Mark your calendar and head to Emirates Hospitality Centre starting tomorrow to see the biggest display of the finest produce from the UAE's date and fruit palms. It will be an interesting and entertaining three days because not only does it celebrate our rich heritage and traditions, but the event also allows residents and visitors to meet and learn. We have developed an exciting line-up of activities for people of all ages to enjoy, so we hope to see you at the festival."

The first day of the festival will focus on the Elite dates, or Al Nokhba, while the second and third day will highlight the other types of date such as Al Khallas, Al Kunaizi, Al Barhi, Al Sheshe, Al Farth and Lulu. Winners of each category will be announced and awarded on the same day. The harvests will be auctioned on the last day of the festival, and proceeds will benefit a charity organisation in Ajman.

Residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to learn about the UAE's culture and its farming industry and take part in family activities. There will be shows and cultural programmes throughout the three-day festival.

A culinary corner where chefs from four and five-star hotels in the emirate, including Ajman Saray, Fairmont Ajman, Kempinski Ajman, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and The Ajman Palace, will prepare food with date flavours for free tasting while children can visit the 'Kids' Corner', featuring cultural competitions and art workshops that will explain the benefits of dates and the social and cultural significance of palm trees.

There is the traditional market which houses shops displaying handmade products produced by Emirati families and visitors can buy authentic heritage products that are made from palm leaves, related to the different aspects of Bedouin life.

Opening hours for the festival will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th July, and from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 29th July.

The Liwa Ajman Date Festival is organised by Ajman Tourism Development Department with the cooperation of Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee and main sponsors Al Foah and Liwa Dates, Zabeel Studio, Ajman Folk Arts Association and Theater, Karji Perfumes, SpaceToon Channel, and Thumbay Hospital, along with supporting authorities and festival participants, Juma Al Majid Centre For Culture and Heritage, Environment and Protected Areas Authorities, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Girl Guides, Khalifa International Award For Date Palm Agricultural Innovation, Children Centres, Ajman Youth Centre, Emirates Environmental Group, General Women's Union, GWU, Ajman Educational Zone, Farmers Services Centre, United Arab Emirates University, and media partner, Ajman Vision.