Liwa Ajman Dates And Honey Festival Concludes Successful 10th Edition With Cultural Highlights

The Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival recently concluded its 10th edition at the Emirates Hospitality Centre. Organised by the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD), the festival ran from 30th July to 3rd August. It was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman.

This year's festival attracted participants from across the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, and Egypt. It served as a platform for celebrating agriculture, heritage, and cultural exchange in the Arab world. The event featured live performances, competitions for all ages, and educational sessions on palm cultivation and beekeeping.

Visitors engaged in workshops on local crafts and enjoyed a dedicated children's area with art and educational activities. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director-General of ADTD, highlighted the festival's success in preserving heritage and supporting farmers, beekeepers, and entrepreneurs. He emphasised ADTD's commitment to diversifying the festival's agenda to promote Ajman's Emirati identity.

The festival included workshops on palm trunk art, medal weaving, diamond colouring, Suroud decoration, and Al Jafeer decoration. Daily auctions featured dates, honey, and traditional artefacts with part of the proceeds going to charity. Competitions spanned various categories across Ajman and other regions.

Date contests showcased varieties like Khalas, Berhi, Lulu, Khenaizy, and Ajman Palms. Honey contests included Sumar, Crystallised honey, Sidr honey, and Beeswax. Fruit contests featured lemon, mango, almond, fig, and citrus varieties. The event brought together 61 exhibitors including farmers, beekeepers, entrepreneurs as well as public and private institutions.

Held in a vibrant cultural setting, the festival reinforced Ajman's identity while supporting its profile as a regional hub for heritage tourism. The event underscored its role in promoting cultural events across the region.

With inputs from WAM