Al Dhafra Dates Festival And Auction Launches Tomorrow With Exciting Competitions And Cultural Activities

The Al Dhafra Date Festival and Auction, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is set to begin in Zayed City, Al Dhafra. Starting tomorrow, Friday, the event will continue until 26th October. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority with strategic support from the Serh Group, it is backed by various government and private entities.

This year's festival includes 21 competitions offering a total of 173 prizes valued at over AED5.559 million. Events cover date mazayna contests and competitions for honey, cooking, date packaging, painting, and photography. The Kingdom of Morocco is honoured as this year’s Guest of Honour, highlighting strong bilateral relations in agriculture.

The Moroccan Date Village will be a key attraction, showcasing premium Moroccan dates to visitors. It will also serve as a direct sales outlet for those interested in purchasing these high-quality dates. This initiative underscores the deep-rooted agricultural ties between Morocco and the UAE.

A daily auction will feature Emirati dates for bidding by visitors and buyers seeking top-notch local produce. This auction aims to promote Emirati dates while providing an engaging experience for attendees interested in acquiring quality dates.

The festival will also introduce a Honey Village to support local producers, factory owners, and beekeepers. This initiative aims to boost domestic honey production by showcasing various types of Emirati honey and their unique characteristics to visitors.

In addition to competitions and auctions, the festival offers cultural, entertainment, and educational activities. Traditional art performances will be featured alongside exhibitions of photographs, artworks, and heritage crafts. Lectures and workshops are planned for different age groups.

Interactive Programmes for Visitors

Several government and private institutions will participate with interactive programmes aimed at farmers and visitors. These programmes will highlight services and innovations in agriculture while raising awareness about sustainable practices in farming.

Retail outlets at the festival will offer dates, date-based products, and agricultural tools. This provides an opportunity for visitors to explore a variety of products related to date cultivation and processing.

The festival promises a comprehensive experience with its diverse range of activities designed to engage attendees while promoting local agricultural products. The event not only celebrates cultural heritage but also fosters economic opportunities within the region's agricultural sector.

With inputs from WAM