Ankawa’s Grape Basket Festival celebrates agricultural heritage and cultural traditions

ANKAWA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Under the patronage of the Ankawa District Administration, the third edition of the Grape Basket Festival opened in a vibrant atmosphere that blended the beauty of the natural landscape with the richness of local agricultural production.

The event drew religious leaders, farmers, and a large gathering from the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, reflecting both the region’s deep-rooted cultural heritage and its enduring agricultural traditions. Now firmly established as an annual tradition, the three-day festival highlights Ankawa’s agricultural significance and promotes its diverse local products — most notably grapes, a seasonal symbol of abundance — alongside their derivatives, including molasses, raisins, and vinegar.

The festival grounds featured an exhibition of 37 grape varieties, comprising both indigenous strains and imported cultivars from the United States, Greece, and Italy. All were cultivated in Ankawa’s vineyards, long celebrated for the superior quality of their produce.

Beyond its agricultural showcase, the festival offered cultural and heritage performances, including the preparation of traditional bread and regional dishes, giving visitors an immersive experience of the area’s history and culinary traditions. These activities reflected the cultural diversity and enduring connection to the land of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), creating a living bridge between the legacy of the past and the vitality of the present.

Organizers expressed hope that the event would strengthen the livelihoods of local farmers while advancing agritourism in Ankawa, noting that grapes are more than an economic commodity — they are a vital element of the region’s identity and a cornerstone of its rich agricultural heritage.