The activities of the 31st International Ghat Tourism Festival continue, held from December 28th to 30th under the slogan “Our Heritage – Values and Civilization.”
The first day’s events, which began on Sunday, featured ongoing cultural and heritage programs highlighting the city’s rich civilizational legacy. Folklore performances and heritage and artistic activities embodied Ghat’s cultural identity and contributed to strengthening its presence as a local and international tourist destination.
The festival’s programs include morning and evening events distributed across several locations, including the Old City, the Heritage Village, and neighboring oases, in addition to artistic evenings, cultural night events, and a camel race featuring international participation, with valuable prizes awarded to the winners in support of this authentic sporting heritage.
The 31st International Ghat Tourism Festival is held within the framework of supporting cultural heritage as one of the pillars of Libyan identity and an important tributary to local development. It contributes to reviving historical cities, stimulating the local economy, and enhancing the presence of southern regions in the national cultural and tourist scene.
The festival’s activities will conclude with a lively artistic ceremony, including a closing ceremony and the distribution of certificates of appreciation to participants, affirming the cultural and touristic role of the city of Ghat.
Ghat
A ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a river, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, and is most famously associated with the sacred city of Varanasi on the Ganges. These embankments have served for centuries as essential sites for daily rituals, religious ceremonies, and cremation, deeply embedded in Hindu spiritual traditions. Their history is intertwined with the ancient practice of river worship and the development of major pilgrimage centers along India’s holy rivers.
Old City
The Old City is a historic walled area within modern Jerusalem, divided into four quarters—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. Its history spans millennia, with key religious sites like the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock, reflecting layers of conquest and cultural exchange. The current walls were built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Heritage Village
The Heritage Village is a cultural museum in Dubai that recreates traditional Emirati life before the oil boom, featuring historic buildings, craft demonstrations, and artifacts. It was established to preserve and showcase the Bedouin heritage, customs, and the pre-modern history of the United Arab Emirates.
Libyan
Libya is a North African country with a rich history that includes ancient Phoenician, Greek, and Roman settlements, most notably at the UNESCO site of Leptis Magna. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later becoming known for its long rule under Muammar Gaddafi from 1969 until the 2011 revolution. Its culture is predominantly Arab and Berber, with Islam being the major religion.
