Afrin to Host First Olive Festival to Support Farmers and Revive Local Economy

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Afrin is preparing to host its first-ever Olive Festival on November 18 and 19, bringing together farmers, producers, traders and visitors to celebrate the region’s olive harvest, support local livelihoods and promote its products in domestic and international markets.

The festival is being organized under the supervision of the Aleppo Governorate, the Afrin Regional Administration and the Olive Boys Association.

Afrin, a region in northwestern Syria known for its extensive olive groves and more than 18 million olive trees, will host the event as part of efforts to revive its agricultural economy and highlight the region’s longstanding association with olive cultivation.

Speaking exclusively to Kurdistan24, Kifah Murad, head of the Olive Boys Association, said the festival aims to celebrate the olive harvest as one of Afrin’s most important economic and cultural traditions, while creating opportunities for farmers, small producers and local artisans to display and market their products.

“Olives are our identity,” Murad said, emphasizing that the festival seeks to underline the connection between the region’s agricultural heritage and the livelihoods of its people.

He said the event also aims to introduce modern methods of olive harvesting and pressing to improve product quality and encourage greater commercial activity.

At the international level, organizers hope to draw attention to the quality of Afrin’s olive oil and other products and restore the region’s place on the global production and export map.

The two-day festival will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and feature exhibitions, specialist panels, workshops and traditional cultural performances.

The exhibition will feature a variety of agricultural, industrial and handmade products, including table olives, olive oil, natural olive-oil soap and handicrafts.

It will also showcase paintings depicting the harvest season and local landscapes, alongside sculptures and traditional items crafted from olive wood.

Visitors will also be able to explore traditional village foods and winter preserves from Afrin.

Agricultural specialists will take part in panels and workshops focusing on harvesting, storage and modern olive-pressing standards. Discussions will address hygiene, environmental considerations and acidity levels, with the aim of helping producers achieve higher-quality olive oil.

The program will also include traditional music, dance and folk performances reflecting Afrin’s cultural heritage and marking the harvest season.

A central feature of the festival will be direct sales intended to strengthen the economic position of farmers by connecting them with traders and consumers without intermediaries.

Organizers also hope to attract traders from outside the region, encouraging commercial agreements and facilitating the marketing and export of local products.

For visitors and residents, dedicated sale areas will offer products at accessible prices, alongside special discounts.

Murad said preparations were being coordinated between administrative institutions, the Olive Boys Association and the local community.

The regional administration and governorate are responsible for logistical, security and service-related support, while the association is overseeing planning and coordination with farmers.

Organizers expect the festival to attract large numbers of local residents, media representatives, farmers and traders from neighboring areas.

Murad said the intention is to establish the event as an annual tradition rather than a one-time celebration, helping preserve Afrin’s agricultural identity while supporting its economy and local producers.

Kurdistan24's Siyamand Brim contributed to this report.