Festival of the Guetna
Guetna is a festival that welcomes, with open arms, the thousands of Mauritanians who flock to the oases for the occasion. Celebrated throughout the country, in July or August depending on rainfall and weather conditions, this event honors the date palms: they deliver their first fresh fruits during a great ceremony shared with family, neighbors or friends. We dance, we sing, we dress naturally... It is also at this season that the big weddings are organized, the Guetna evoking the joys and pleasures. It is customary to keep the stone of the first date of the year as a good luck charm.
Heritage Cities Festival
Ouadâne is part, with Oualata, Tichitt and Chinguetti, of the four Mauritanian caravan cities classified as world heritage by UNESCO, and has been hosting the Festival of Heritage Cities, formerly the Festival of Ancient Cities, for the past 12 years. Handicraft exhibitions, conferences, camel races, evocation of ancient culture make up this week of festivities, which attracts many visitors, some even beyond Mauritania: the invitation is extended to all citizens of Moorish origin, and it also welcomes inhabitants of Timbuktu (Mali), Agadez (Niger) and Tamanrasset (Algeria). After Ouadâne and Tichitt, the 2023 edition will be held in Oualata.
International Marathon
In Nouadhibou, the International Marathon took place in December 2022 (11th edition, 3,224 participants), with also a course for the half-marathon, a 10 km race and a 5 km race for teenagers. The next edition will take place in December 2023. The coordinating team strives to develop the practice of sports in schools and for disabled people, to use sports to prevent illnesses caused by sedentary lifestyles, and to fight against discrimination, religious fundamentalism and addictions through sports. In February 2022, the organization of the Nouadhibou Marathon initiated the first edition of the University Marathon of Nouakchott.
Toulouse/St. Louis Rally
A rally in the footsteps of the pioneers of airmail, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023 (from September 30 to October 13). Departing from Toulouse-Montaudran, this event pays tribute to these aviators who set out to deliver mail in the southern hemisphere, following in the footsteps of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This rally will stop in Tarfaya, Morocco, and in Nouadhibou, Mauritania.
http://www.rallyetoulousesaintlouis.com
Latécoère-Aeropostale Raid
The Latécoère-Aéropostale Raid retraces the steps of the aviation pioneers, from Toulouse to Ushuaïa. It is divided into 7 stops, including an African stopover, passing through Nouadhibou. This event is organized by the Pierre-Georges Latécoère Aeroclub, born in 2008, whose objective is to connect people by air.
http://raid-latecoere-aeropostale.org
Benichab's Sahara and Ocean Festival
Organized for the past 8 years by the Mauritanian Association for the Development of Bénichab and similar villages, this festival puts environmental issues at the heart of its activities, through a series of sports competitions, concerts and Arabic poetry recitals. Bénichab is located halfway between Akjoujt and the Banc d'Arguin.
Nomadic Festival
In 2020, the 11th edition of the Nomadic Festival in Mauritania took place. The program? 10 days of cultural caravan! Between ocean and sand dunes, camels and horses parade at the hippodrome of Nouakchott. This event takes place successively in Nouakchott and in Montreal, which gives rise to the meeting and sharing of musicians of both nationalities. It is organized by the Fondation La Khaïma, which works for the development of agropastoral communities and nomadic populations in Mauritania.
Festival Old Ksar of Tidjikja
Formerly called the Date Festival, this festival lasts 3 days and takes place in mid-July in Tidjikja, on the Tagant plateau. This event offers scientific and cultural conferences, as well as artistic evenings.
Aïoun Festival for the development of culture and heritage
In September 2022 was held the first edition of the Festival for the development of culture and heritage in Aïoun, aiming to revive the cultural and scientific heritage of the region, to highlight its agricultural and pastoral features, while highlighting its tourist capabilities. The agenda of this festival includes cultural and sports activities, an agricultural day and a medical day during which consultations and distribution of free medicines are held.
Aïn Farba Festival
In mid-September, in the Hodh El Gharbi region, in Aïn Farba, a festival for culture and arts is held since 2011. Competitions of reading and recitation of the Koran, Arabic and folk poetry, horse racing and culinary arts are on the program of this festival which lasts 3 days.
Cultural Festival of Djeol
In the Gorgol region, in mid-March, a cultural festival is held in Djeol. The second edition was held in 2022. This event is considered a first step towards the official recognition of the historical importance of this town in southern Mauritania. Djeol is also home to an ancient forge, discovered in September 2016.
