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The Al Ain Heritage Festival has announced the winners of its prestigious date palm competitions, with prizes totaling 845,000 dirhams distributed across two major categories. The organizing committee revealed the results on Sunday evening for the “Nukhbat Al Ain” competition and the “Date Packaging Without Additives” contest, both held during the festival’s opening day at the Al Ain Exhibition Center.
According to the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, which organizes the event, the first edition of the Al Ain Heritage Festival runs until February 9. The festival showcases traditional Emirati culture with a particular focus on date cultivation and preservation, essential elements of the region’s agricultural heritage.
Al Ain Heritage Festival Date Competition Winners
In the Nukhbat Al Ain date palm competition, Salham Harmoos Saeed Saleh Al Mazrouei claimed first place, taking home 150,000 dirhams. The heirs of Ali Mubarak Sultan Al Aryani secured second position with a prize of 125,000 dirhams, while Hamid Saeed Mohammed Sultan Al Aryani finished third, earning 100,000 dirhams.
The competition attracted 24 participants who submitted a total of 1,800 kilograms of dates for judging. Sultan Saeed Mohammed Sultan Al Aryani and Ahmed Khamis Hamouda Khamis Al Aryani rounded out the top five positions in this category.
Date Packaging Competition Results
Meanwhile, the date packaging competition without additives saw Saida Hamid Ahmed Al Mazrouei take first place, winning 50,000 dirhams. Salma Saeed Salem Jaber Al Mansoori finished second with 40,000 dirhams, and Mohammed Khalifa Dhubaib Suleiman Al Shamsi earned third place and 30,000 dirhams.
Additionally, Ali Ahmed Abdullah Khamis Al Murr and Mubaraka Ahmed Hamad Al Mansoori secured fourth and fifth positions respectively. The organizing committee allocated ten prizes for this competition, totaling 215,000 dirhams, demonstrating the festival’s commitment to promoting quality date production.
Promoting Traditional Food Safety Standards
The packaging competition aims to educate producers and manufacturers about modern packaging methods that maintain product quality and health safety standards. Eighteen participants competed in this category, submitting 360 kilograms of dates for evaluation by festival judges.
However, the competition extends beyond just packaging aesthetics. According to festival organizers, the initiative seeks to balance traditional practices with contemporary food safety requirements, ensuring Emirati date products meet international standards while preserving authentic production methods.
Date Auction and Additional Festival Activities
In contrast to the competitive events, the festival’s opening day also featured a date auction where the highest-selling box commanded 450 dirhams for the “Nabtet Mazroui” variety. Total auction sales reached 25,950 dirhams, with 390 kilograms of dates sold across 130 boxes.
The festival received 44 entries for the Sidr honey competition, totaling 88 kilograms of honey, though results for this category have not yet been announced. This competition highlights another important traditional product from the United Arab Emirates.
Cultural Programming Continues
The Al Ain Heritage Festival continues its programming with various traditional activities throughout its run. Festival-goers can experience folk art performances, interactive experiences in the heritage market, live cooking demonstrations, and activities at the international heritage village.
These events aim to embody the authenticity of Emirati and Arab heritage while highlighting shared social values. The festival’s diverse programming reflects its mission to enhance public engagement with traditional culture and preserve important cultural practices for future generations.
The remaining competition results, including the Sidr honey contest, are expected to be announced as the Al Ain Heritage Festival continues through February 9. Festival organizers have not confirmed specific dates for subsequent award ceremonies or announcements.
