Tunisia's 55th International Sahara Festival opens in Douz

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00:00 Camel races, poetry readings and wrestling mixed with some dancing to traditional music.

00:07 For over 100 years, visitors have been flocking to this festival in Tunisia.

00:12 Set in the town of Douz, a gateway to the Sahara desert just 500 kilometers south of the capital,

00:19 the four-day festival is a celebration of the M'Rezigue and their Bedouin lifestyle,

00:23 a nomadic desert tribe that prospered in the Tunisian Sahara.

00:27 "I came especially for the festival because I really wanted my children to get to know it.

00:33 I'm originally from Douz, I've always wanted to see the festival, but I've never had the chance."

00:40 "This is my first time at the Douz festival. We've come to discover the heritage of southern Tunisia."

00:46 On the festival programme, visitors can discover the habits and customs of the Berber and Arab cultures,

00:54 like hunting, traditional dancing and horse riding.

00:59 Held in December each year, the festival attracts thousands of people from all over the world,

01:05 looking to dive into Tunisian culture whilst catching a bit of winter sun.

01:10 "We come from Paris, we live in Touzour, we came especially for the day."

01:15 At this year's opening ceremony, the festival raised the Palestinian flag alongside its own

01:20 to show its solidarity with the people of Gaza.

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