The 4th Egyptian Shopping Festival in Duhok: A Meeting of Cultures That Strengthens Community Ties
Welat TV – Erbil
The 4th Egyptian Shopping Festival, currently being held in the city of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region, is attracting large crowds from across the city and surrounding areas, as well as members of Arab and foreign communities. Combining commerce, culture, and heritage, the festival runs from 25 July to 15 August.
Promoting Trade and Cultural Exchange The festival seeks to boost commercial activity while bringing together the diverse communities living in the Kurdistan Region through cultural and social exchange. It also offers participants a chance to showcase their heritage, traditions, and local products, with strong participation from the Egyptian community alongside several other Arab communities.
Traditional Products Reflect Cultural Diversity
Participants are displaying a wide range of traditional products, handicrafts, clothing, cuisine, and cultural items representing the heritage of their home countries. The festival has drawn significant interest from residents of the Kurdistan Region, particularly members of the Syrian community.
One of the exhibitors is a woman from Syria's Suwayda province, who is displaying natural skincare and beauty products. She told Welat TV that she returns to the Kurdistan Region every year, spending a full month there because it reminds her of her homeland. She said she feels at home in the region and praised the Kurdish people for their generosity, warmth, and hospitality.
Visitors Praise the Festival's Atmosphere and Organization
A visitor from Derik, now living with his family in Domiz Camp, told Welat TV that he enjoyed the festival, especially the Kurdish folkloric displays, traditional clothing, and heritage items that reflect the region's rich cultural identity.
Palestinian Participant: Demand for Our Products Grows
Every year Mahmoud Zaid, a participant from Palestine, told Welat TV that the Kurdish people are kind and welcoming, describing the atmosphere in the Kurdistan Region as beautiful and its people as exceptionally friendly. He explained that this is his fourth consecutive year participating in the festival and noted that demand for Palestinian products has continued to grow each year. His stand features a variety of traditional Palestinian products, including spices, olive oil, olives, Makdous, and other specialty foods.
Egyptian Participant: Kurdistan Is Our Second Home
Ali Abdul Jaleel, a participant from Egypt, told Welat TV: "The Kurdish people are among the friendliest. They love us, and we love them. Kurdistan is beautiful, and it is our second home." He said he has lived in the Kurdistan Region for ten years and has taken part in the festival every year, exhibiting a variety of handicrafts. He also demonstrated his close connection to the region by speaking in Kurdish.
Yemeni Participant: Kurdistan's Landscape Reminds Me of Yemen
Hussein Ali, a participant from Yemen, told Welat TV: "The Kurdish people are civilized, and Kurdistan's mountainous landscape is beautiful and reminds me of Yemen." He said he is showcasing a variety of traditional Yemeni products, including spices and seasonings used in popular dishes such as mandi and Kabsa. He also praised the festival's excellent organization and management.
A Yearly Gathering of Cultures
The 4th Egyptian Shopping Festival in Duhok continues to attract thousands of visitors, serving as a vibrant platform for trade and cultural exchange. The festival reflects the spirit of coexistence and cultural diversity that characterizes the Kurdistan Region, bringing together communities from different backgrounds to celebrate their heritage and traditions in a festive atmosphere.