The Amedi Tahini Festival returned this week with stronger participation and bigger expectations. Organizers expect higher tahini sales this year. They believe visitors will buy more local products as the festival grows in popularity each season.
The third edition of the Amedi Tahini Festival takes place in the scenic town of Amedi. Officials say the event attracts families, producers, and tourists from across the region. The festival also highlights the economic value of traditional Kurdish foods. Moreover, it promotes small producers who depend on tahini and other local goods for their income.
On Thursday, the festival begins in Bebak village near central Amedi. Governor Ali Tatar supervises the event. His office supports community projects that protect local food traditions. The atmosphere in Amedi grows lively as vendors prepare their booths. Visitors raise expectations for a larger and more energetic gathering this year.
Karwan Haji Saeed, head of the festival’s media department. He said the festival will start on 04-12-2025 and continue for two days. Organizers prepared 100 booths for producers and families. Among them, 26 booths will focus entirely on tahini. These booths belong to families who make tahini using old methods that define the region’s identity.
According to Saeed, last year’s festival saw impressive results. Vendors sold nearly 9.5 tons of tahini. Many dishes ran out of tahini by the second day. Therefore, the sales could have reached even higher numbers. This year, families prepared extra stock to avoid shortages. Consequently, organizers expect stronger demand and higher sales compared to last year.
The festival also offers entertainment. Artists Hasan Sharif and Romi Herki will perform for visitors. Artist and instructor Shirin Haqi will also join the lineup. Their presence adds cultural value to the event. It encourages more families to attend during the two festival days.
A wide range of local goods will appear alongside tahini. Vendors will sell pomegranates, grapes, jams, Kurdish foods, handmade crafts, and dried products. These products represent the cultural wealth of the Amedi area. They also strengthen small family businesses that rely on seasonal festivals for income.
As the Amedi Tahini Festival grows each year, it reinforces the importance of local production. It also boosts tourism and strengthens community ties. This year’s event aims to deliver a richer experience for visitors while supporting families who keep traditional food-making alive.
