Koya hosted its inaugural Olive Festival for Coexistence, bringing together dozens of farmers from the town’s border areas to showcase their products and celebrate local agriculture. The festival took place in the village of Harmota, part of Erbil province, where thirty five stalls were set up to display and sell olive products, handicrafts, and other locally produced agricultural goods.
Shler Karim, one of the festival organisers, said the event was designed to foster unity and collaboration among farmers and residents. “This kind of festival for olives is for coexistence, and it is being held for the first time in the village of Harmota,” he explained. “The festival lasted for one day and continued until late at night, giving visitors the chance to explore the variety of olive products from our border areas.”
The festival featured a wide range of items, including fresh olives, olive oil, traditional handicrafts, and locally prepared foods. Visitors had the opportunity to meet farmers, learn about olive cultivation, and purchase high quality products directly from the producers.
Karim also shared plans for the future, saying the organisers aim to make the festival an annual event and expand its reach in the coming years. “We want to continue with this festival, and our goal is to introduce the olive products from the border of Koya town to a wider audience,” he said. He added that establishing an olive oil factory and other production facilities in the border area would help farmers process and market their products more effectively, boosting the local agricultural economy.
The Olive Festival for Coexistence not only celebrated the region’s rich agricultural heritage but also highlighted the importance of community collaboration and cultural unity, creating a platform for farmers, artisans, and residents to connect and promote sustainable local development.
