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Liwa Dates Festival welcomed, for the first time in its 11 years history, a new competition that is neither about ratab - the half ripe dates, nor about the UAE heritage, but it celebrates palm tree farming skills and the passion for the Arabs' Tree of Life.
The Tallest Date Palm Tree competition has proved highly popular with farmers of palm orchards, as it highlights their efforts and care for growing the trees.

According to Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Projects Management at the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, the Committee, which organizes the Liwa Dates Festival, has developed this year new and improved activities for the festival, which takes place from July 22nd till 30th in Liwa, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

"We have came up with new competitions that are fitted for the festival and recognize people's work all year long. For example, we will have the tallest palm tree competition, which is a new one this year. This is going to be once every three years, which will allow for new entries to come," said Al Qubaisi.
For this year at least, only Palm trees located in Liwa oasis may enter the competition. Across the UAE there are over 40 million Palm trees and a good few million of them are in Liwa, which stretches, in an arch shape, for over 120 kilometers at the foothills of the Empty Quarter, in the south-west of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Thousands of years old, Liwa is considered of utmost importance in the UAE history and heritage, so much so that earlier in 2015, along with Al Ain oasis, Liwa was officially recognized as world agricultural heritage site by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The date palm tree, which is believed to have its origins in Arabia and known to be cultivated on these lands since 6000 BC, may grow as high as 23 meters.

Whether Liwa's palm trees will reach this height or even surpass it, will be known by the end of the festival, when the winners of the competition will be announced. As explained by Obaid Al Mazrouei, Director of Liwa Dates Festival, the competition will not only give the answer to a long standing puzzle, but it will also recognise the hard work of farmers, since reaching top heights requires plenty of care for the palm tree.
"The height of the palm tree is not related to the quality of its dates, but having this competition will help us establish a record for the tallest date palm trees in Liwa. The information can be used for all kind of purposes, even tourism," said Al Mazrouei.

"It is not difficult to grow a tall palm tree, but it takes a lot of care and dedication. To reach a top height, the tree must be 50 years old or more, so the competition is also a way to say thank you to the people who are taking care of these old palms," he added.
Since the opening of the festival, nearly 100 farmers have entered the competition, and more are expected before the Wednesday deadline. Daily a group of judges are visiting the orchards, measuring the palm trees from base to the top leaf. The top three winners will be awarded - AED 50,000 for the first place, AED 30,000 for the second and AED 20,000 for the third place.

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