International Festival of the Sahara
BY Thea Gausen
Situated at the gateway to the Sahara, the annual International Festival of the Sahara is a four-day celebration of North African and Berber culture. Though the event has gained huge momentum, it’s lost none of its authenticity.
Chosen for: Preserving Culture.
Each year thousands of North Africans flock to Douz, Tunisia, for the largest desert gathering since 1910. The International Festival of the Sahara is one of the most unique arts festivals in the world with a four-day showcase of Berber and Bedouin traditions and culture, ranging from camel racing to dancing and parades – all set within the H’naiech stadium.
Beyond being a place to experience the rich history of Saharan life, the festival has become a meeting place of old and new; as day turns to night the younger generations take over. Camel races are swapped for bike rallies and the desert is transformed into a showcase of new movements, music and contemporary Tunisian youth culture. It's a unique snapshot into the creative energy that's bubbling across rural North Africa and a chance for people to pull up and reconnect.
The International Festival of the Sahara is an unmissable event on the cultural calendar, one that truly captures the spirit of North African identity: rooted in tradition but kept alive by future generations.
The International Festival of the Sahara takes place in Douz, Tunisia, in November. Dates are yet to be announced.
