Published on : Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Bachtoula Bechir, spokesperson of the festival, said that more than 20,000 visitors attended the celebration activities on the first day. Sami Beljaj, the director of the festival’s organizing committee, said that a series of more activities will be hosted in the course of the four-day festival.
“There are cultural performances such as nomadic traditional songs and dances, traditional wedding ceremonies, traditional sports such as camel fighting, horse racing and Slougui hunting (dog hunting), as well as traditional crafts and local food exhibitions,” said Beljaj.
According to Tunisian Culture Minister Mohamed Zine El-Abidine, the world-famous annual international desert festival holds great significance.
It not only helps look after the traditional life and culture of Sahara region in southern Tunisia, but also attracts foreign tourists, promotes tourism and creates more job opportunities for local residents.
This festival was originally known as nomadic local camel festival in the early 20th century, and has now developed into an international festival, attracting a large number of tourists each year to Sahara region.
Bai Guangming, the cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Tunisia, said that the Douz festival also has great charm for the Chinese tourists.
“Since Tunisia offered visa-free entry to Chinese tourists last year, more Chinese visitors have come to this North African country,” said Bai.