Ankawa’s Grape Festival honors local farming, with officials and organizers stressing its value for culture and economy.
In the town of Ankawa, the annual grape exhibition opened with strong participation from farmers and citizens. The event lasted several days, showcasing a wide range of grape products and derivatives such as raisins, vinegar, and molasses.
As part of efforts to promote domestic production and support farmers, the fourth “Grape Basket” festival was inaugurated in Ankawa district. Visitors were drawn to the many varieties of locally grown grapes on display. The exhibition also featured cultural activities, including traditional baking and Kurdish cuisine, creating a lively and unique atmosphere.
The event has become an annual gathering for farmers and the public, highlighting the region’s agricultural output—particularly grapes, one of Kurdistan’s most important products.
Erbil Governor Omid Khoshnaw, expressing his satisfaction with the festival, reaffirmed government backing: “As the Kurdistan Regional Government and Erbil Governorate, we provide full support, cooperation, and facilitation to farmers to advance local agricultural production and its marketing.”
The festival’s main purpose is to raise awareness of the value of grapes and promote local products for wider markets. Held over two days, the exhibition displayed several grape varieties.
Priest Yusuf Toma, one of the organizers, noted: “This exhibition, hosted annually by the Silwan brothers, encourages farmers to appreciate the value of their resources, especially grapes.” He also emphasized the many benefits of grapes—not only as fruit, raisins, and food products, but also for their beauty and cultural significance.
The Kurdish Globe