Hawraman Festival Promotes Local Produce, Crafts and Culture
A three-day festival at Ahmad Awa is bringing together 150 producers and artisans from across the Kurdistan Region and Eastern Kurdistan to promote Hawraman’s agricultural and cultural products.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - A three-day festival celebrating local products and cultural traditions of the Hawraman region has opened at the Ahmad Awa summer resort, bringing farmers, craftswomen and producers together to promote their work and connect with new markets.
The event features a wide range of agricultural products, traditional foods, clothing and handicrafts, with locally grown figs among the main attractions.
Organizers say the festival is intended not only to showcase the region's products but also to create direct opportunities for farmers and artisans to sell their work and strengthen local livelihoods.
150 Participants Showcase Their Work
According to festival organizer Baba San'an, around 150 participants are taking part in the event.
"Our primary goal is to market and monetize the hard work of farmers and talented women," San'an told Kurdistan24, adding that the festival will continue for three days.
Participants have traveled from cities across the Kurdistan Region as well as Eastern Kurdistan, bringing products ranging from dried and preserved fruits to traditional clothing and handmade crafts.
The diversity of the exhibits reflects the agricultural and cultural character of Hawraman, where farming and traditional craftsmanship remain important sources of income for local communities.
Farmers and Craftswomen Seek New Markets
For participants, the festival provides an opportunity to reach customers beyond their usual markets.
Bahar Karim, who traveled from Sanandaj, told Kurdistan24 that she brought a selection of dried and preserved fruits that she makes herself.
“I have brought various dried and preserved fruits, all of which are handmade by me,” Karim said. “These festivals provide an excellent opportunity for us to introduce our work.”
Samira Mohammadi, another participant, is displaying traditional Kurdish clothing and handicrafts produced collaboratively with other artisans.
She said such events provide an important incentive for women involved in traditional crafts by giving them a place to display and sell their products.
Tourism and Local Economy
The festival comes during the summer tourism season, when Ahmad Awa attracts visitors seeking the area's cooler climate and natural scenery.
Organizers expect thousands of tourists to visit the resort during the three-day event, combining tourism with opportunities to purchase locally produced goods.
The approach reflects a broader effort across the Kurdistan Region to connect tourism with agriculture, handicrafts and small-scale local businesses. Seasonal festivals can provide producers with direct access to consumers while giving visitors an opportunity to engage with regional traditions.
For Hawraman, the festival also offers a platform to promote products associated with the area's agricultural heritage, particularly its figs and preserved foods.
Culture Beyond Food
Although agriculture is central to the event, organizers have emphasized that the festival is not limited to food and produce.
Traditional clothing, handicrafts and other cultural items are also being displayed, giving visitors a broader picture of Hawraman's heritage and craftsmanship.
With the festival continuing over the next three days, organizers hope strong visitor numbers will translate into increased sales and wider recognition for local producers.
At Ahmad Awa, the event is bringing together agriculture, craftsmanship and tourism around a common goal: turning the region's local products and cultural traditions into sustainable economic opportunities for the communities that produce them.
