Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) – The 4th edition of Mauritania’s Ancient Cities Festival will take place from 13-16 January in the southeastern city of Oualata, about 1,300 km from Nouakchott.
President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, government officials, diplomats and several hundred foreign and national participants will attend the launch, according to official sources on Wednesday.
The festival aims at advertising the historical role of Mauritania’s ancient cities in influencing Muslim, Arab and black civilization and their importance in the development of the trans-Saharan trade between Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa.
It is also to promote Mauritania as a tourist destination, notably its large expanses.
Activities for the festival include music, artistic and traditional theatre presentations, traditional sports, colloquiums and debates on the prestigious past of ancient cities.
Oualatou city is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Photo: Mamadou Thiam
