Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival merges culture and agriculture

The eighth edition kick off from 27 July with competitions, cooking and crafts.

Dates and honey are arguably the two most revered ingredients in the Middle East, and both take centre stage at the Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival. Organised by the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) under the patronage of HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, the four-day event will kick off on 27 July. A celebration of culture and agriculture, the festival will take place at Emirates Hospitality Hall in Ajman.

ADTD has meticulously prepared a festival with captivating events, workshops, activities and performances. Attendees can look forward to the Juffair decoration workshop, the decoupage workshop on gypsum, folklore songs, and enthralling performances by the renowned Shaer band. Also on the agenda? The popular Medley show and workshops span wicker dyeing, rope breaking, and palm-frond painting. Each day of the festival will culminate with an auction that will support charitable causes.

From competitions to crafts

Elsewhere, competitions will be held daily, with prizes worth a whopping AED 388,000. The renowned Mazayna Dates competition, for example, showcases and rewards the best dates. The competing date types include Youman, Khashari, Al Shishi, and Khalas for the emirate of Ajman contestants. Al Nukhba, Fard, Al Burji, Khunaizi, Al Shishi, Khalas, and Lulu will be exhibited by contestants from the northern emirates.

Additionally, there will be both citrus and honey competitions, highlighting Sidr, Samar, liquid, and crystallised honey. In each category, cash prizes will be awarded, with prize values ranging from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000. The festival’s main stage, meanwhile, will allow the public a chance to win vouchers worth AED 5,000.

“We are honoured to organise this remarkable festival, showcasing a diverse range of activities and competitions that aim to highlight the beauty of dates, honey, and the Emirati culture,” says HE Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development. “These traditional treasures hold immense importance, shaping our heritage, culinary practices, and medicinal traditions. Moreover, it offers a chance for farmers to exchange valuable agricultural experiences, fostering sustainable practices for a brighter future.

“By embracing modern irrigation technologies, enhancing productivity through sustainable practices, preserving biodiversity, and promoting eco-tourism, farmers can contribute significantly to the promotion of sustainable tourism. The Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival serves as a platform for fostering these essential practices and driving positive change in the emirate. Together, with a collective commitment to sustainability, the festival can lead the way towards a greener, more responsible future in Ajman.”

Other festival highlights include the popular market (supporting productive families and small and medium enterprises) as well as the date and honey market, displaying the natural products of farmers. Craft workshops will showcase the palm tree’s historical and contemporary uses, while children’s games will enhance its family-friendly atmosphere.

The Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival will welcome visitors daily from 11am to 10pm.

GO: Visit www.visit-ajman.ae for more information.