The eighth edition of the Souq Waqif Local Dates Festival will begin tomorrow, July 27, with over 90 farmers taking part. It will be on display until August 5. The creation of this event falls within the scope of Qatar's strong interest in supporting and fostering local production of all national products, including dates, in conjunction with the country's date production season.
It is also part of the country's attempts to attain food security, promote the agricultural sector, including palm trees, assist farm owners and people interested in palm production, and improve date varieties.
The General Supervisor of the Festival, Khaled Saif Al Suwaidi, verified that the Organising Committee of Celebrations in Souq Waqif had prepared the festival site with all essential equipment. In Al Ahmad Square, a tent has been erected to house the festival. Every day from 3:3:30 pmo 9:30 pm, and on Friday from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm, the tent will be available to the public.
Al Suwaidi emphasised that Souq Waqif is eager to host the festival on an annual basis in order to support local farms, explaining that Souq Waqif is distinguished by being an important tourist attraction for citizens, residents, and tourists alike, as well as its central location in Doha, which makes it accessible to all. He also stated that the current edition will include involvement from local farmers with dates and palm goods made locally.
Al Suwaidi added that the organising committee in Souq Waqif has introduced a competition for the finest local dates in this edition for the first time, and money awards will be awarded to the farms and businesses that finish first, second, and third.
