Farmers across the UAE have begun harvesting fresh ratab (half-ripened) dates and the harvest season is about to be celebrated - just as it has been for the past 12 years. Taking place from July 19 to 29 in Liwa, the annual ratab festival is organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi.

The festival will offer a variety of dates and Emirati heritage competitions. Up to 223 winners will share cash prizes worth a whopping Dh5.2 million.

More than 70,000 visitors attended the festival last year, and officials expect that number to rise this year. "This year we are hoping to record the registration of 2,500 participants in the various categories of the best dates competitions," said Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, director of the Liwa Dates Festival.

The best dates competitions will include categories for the most popular varieties of dates: Khallas, Dabbas, Kunaizi, Bou Maan, Farth and, for the first time this year, Shishi dates. The largest Etheg (branch of dates), as well as Al Dhafra's Nukhba and Liwa's Nukhba, (mixed ratab varieties), will also be part of the best dates competitions.

The heritage aspect of the Liwa Dates Festival will be largely reflected in the traditional market, where around 250 Emirati women will display and sell their handicrafts and homemade food items in the 130 shops set up for them.

"We have been working towards protecting and preserving palm trees while activating and stimulating the economic activity in the city of Liwa.

 

Source: Khaleej Times