Abu Dhabi - The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi announced the results of the Photography Competition that was organized via Instagram in conjunction with the Liwa Date Festival (2014). Hoping to strengthen the bonds between generations, and safeguard the heritage of ancestors, the Photography Competition is seeking to generate a creative image of Liwa, its natural beauty and the connection that exists between man and this city. The Competition also contributes to the documentation of heritage activities that reflect a true image of the Bedouin life in the UAE, as well as the documentation of deep-rooted Emirati heritage and authentic culture.

All to prizes went to Emirati photographers: Bakhit Al Khalifa Sultan Al Mansouri (top position), Shamma Al Mansouri (second position), Ahmed Abdullah Salem Al Dhuhuri (third position), Naima Mohammed Saleh Al Shamsi (fourth position) , and Thamer Ahmed Mubarak Al Mehairbi (fifth position).

The Competition, open for nationals and residents, comprised several themes, notably The Aspects of Life in Liwa, Nature in Liwa (Dunes, Oases, Palm Trees), Heritage Sites in Liwa and Liwa Date Festival (Market, Heritage, Handicrafts, Al Ratab (half-ripe dates),). The prizes for the Competition carry a total value of AED 12,000, awarded to the winners of the top 5 positions: The winner of the first position collects AED 5,000; the winner of the second position gets AED 3,000; the winner of the third position receives AED 2,000, and the winners of the fourth and fifth positions get AED 1,000 each.

The winning possibilities depended on the recommendations of the public as the top positions went to the photos that got the biggest number of 'likes'.

The Competition aspires to support young talented photographers and strengthen the sense of national belonging among citizens and residents, through bringing to light the heritage of ancestors and efforts made to safeguard it.

Organized by the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi, the 10th edition of the Liwa Date Festival was held from the 12th until the 18th of July in Liwa city in Al Gharbia (The Western Region) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Festival is annually organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Liwa Date Festival aspires to achieve the vision of its organizers which consists is attracting the largest number of visitors and serving as a platform to stimulate economy and revive heritage as well as deep-rooted traditions. The achievement of this vision was possible thanks to the organization of several activities and programmes, including a bouquet of 215 valuable prizes with a total value of AED 6 million.

In June 2014, the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi launched a set of interactive online platforms, including a website, and accounts of the Committee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Mr. Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Project Management at the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee Abu Dhabi, noted that the launch of these platforms arises from a belief in the growing importance of digital communication. Online platforms have managed to occupy a leading position as means of direct communication and instant interaction with the public.

He also noted the significance of the Photography Competition via Instagram as a key contribution to the promotion and encouragement of photographers, from different categories, saying that the Competition works toward attracting and supporting enthusiasts to take part in the various efforts made to promote the Emirati heritage.

In view of the large turnout and out of a belief in the significance of digital communication, the Committee is planning to launch other similar competitions during the various upcoming festivals, Qubaisi said.

He noted that the website and other online platforms are but a first move that is constantly under improvement with aim of implementing an integrated strategy of digital communication.

The Committee is working to prepare this strategy in line with its approach to reinforce the national identity, loyalty, and sense of belonging. Eventually, we hope to build an integrated website that serves as an online portal for interaction with the public. On account of this strategy, we will also develop all the websites about the programmes and projects of the Authority, at the level of form and content and in line with the recent trends in digital communication, he added.