24 November 19, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Beirut: Through December 28

Events associated with Sur- sock Museum Late Nights oc- cur noon-9pm each Thursday at the Sursock Museum. The events include exhibitions, collection displays, late-night talks, performances and screenings.

Dubai: Through December 31

“La Perle” features 65 artists performing amazing stunts and aerial antics above an on-stage pool filled with 2.7 million litres of water in a state-of-the-art, custom-built theatre. The show takes place at Al Habtoor City.

Cairo: Sugar dolls on display at a shop in Nabeul. A sculpture representing oranges in the town of Nabeul. November 21-30 (The Tunisian Association for Safeguarding the Town of Nabeul) (Nabeul Municipality) The Cairo International , established in 1976, will have its 39th edition at the Opera House over ten Nabeul, the home of colourful days. The programme includes projections, seminars, workshops, debates and tributes. pottery and Tunisian harissa Algiers: December 1-8

Roua Khlifi of artefacts exhibiting both Ro- came an industry,” ben Hammamia The eighth Algiers Interna- man and Punic influences and is said. tional Film Festival takes place renowned for its collection of mo- Three years ago, the town began in El Mouggar Theatre and Nabeul saics, which depict ancient Roman “The Celebration of Harissa and the Cinematheque of Algiers. myths and culture. Pepper of Nabeul,” a festival at the Documentaries and fiction ine, sandy beaches, “Nabeul is one of the most end of October. films are scheduled in an event unique culinary art and interesting towns today for its rich “It is essentially a celebration of that brings together independ- colourful pottery and history… It also has many charac- the culinary art that uses the Tuni- ent movie producers from all ceramics are all to be ex- teristics that cannot be found in sian pepper paste or harissa,” ben over the world. plored and savoured in other towns; it has a mild Hammamia said. “During the fes- FNabeul, a coastal town in north- weather and is close to tival, there is a competition for all Egypt: eastern . the capital, , and dishes that use harissa.” December 1-31 Only 75km from Tunis, Nabeul, is accessible through “People come to try the dif- which derives its name from the many means of transporta- ferent kinds of harissa and The Sphinx Festival explores Greek “Neapolis” (new town), is tion,” ben Hammamia people learn more about the and promotes the cultural arts known for its unique pottery, rich said. dishes. We had foreign par- of Egypt. It includes music, spices, sweets and fascinating his- Nabeul’s coasts boast ticipants from Korea and Hun- dance and poetry perfor- tory. beautiful beaches and gary who shared their traditions mances, traditional ethnic “The name of the town of Na- the town has a market of spices. costumes, workshops and beul is reminiscent of other Medi- of pottery and spices that “It is an opportunity for Egyptian dance classes. The terranean towns that have similar captivate visitors. the farmers to share their festival takes place at various names like Napoli in Italy and Na- Pottery, especially, has a knowledge and expertise venues, including the ancient blus in Palestine,” said Chiheb ben long tradition in Nabeul. Its on planting peppers. Also, Abusir Sun Temple, Cairo and Hammamia, general secretary of locals have worked in the the festival serves as a way to pre- the Egyptian oasis. the Association for the Safeguard trade since ancient times, serve the old recipes as we dedicat- of Nabeul. “Like these towns, the when clay was first available ed a panel for elders to share their Dubai: name of Nabeul means ‘the new in large quantities. The town’s culinary experience.” December 6-13 c i t y.’ buildings, walls and markets are In addition to culinary art, Na- adorned with ceramics of colourful beul is famous for a special type of Dubai International Film Festi- motifs and patterns. sweet that is baked to celebrate the val is a celebration of Arab and With its colourful “Nabeul has many artisans that beginning of the Islamic year. international cinema. In its pottery and ceramics, are unique… Certain sewing and “The town has a special way of 14th edition, the festival will ancient roots and the carpet patterns are unique to Na- Dried red pepper used to celebrating the beginning of the Is- showcase more than 120 films beul (and) they say we used to have decorate a pottery pot in lamic year as many people visit the from Hollywood, unique taste of harissa, and elsewhere. A parallel pro- Nabeul is a great 100 carpet makers and sewers in Nabeul. (Nabeul Facebook page) town to enjoy that celebration. We the past and those display Andalu- are known for making sugar dolls gramme will include seminars, destination for visitors sia’s influences,” ben Hammamia in Nabeul in different forms and debates and meetings. of all kinds. explained. tiful rush mats and embroidered shapes and it is celebrated with the “In Nabeul, the buildings are sim- clothing and showcases a wealth children,” ben Hammamia said. Tunis: “Despite (being a new town), it ple but the decorations are quite of spices, particularly the country’s With its colourful pottery and December 8-16 has witnessed the passage of sev- unique. The complex drawings, renowned harissa (pepper paste), a ceramics, ancient roots and the eral civilisations, from Greek to Ro- patterns of ceramics and scriptures key ingredient for Tunisian cuisine. unique taste of harissa, Nabeul is a Carthage Theatre Days is an man, as it was an attraction for its used on those building brought an “Across Tunisia, Nabeul is known great destination for visitors of all annual festival that show- port.” aesthetic beauty and it is inspired as the capital of spices. All the kinds. cases plays from the Maghreb, Nabeul’s museum, in a tradition- by the pottery decoration. The col- spices used in Tunisian culinary , the Middle East and al house in the heart of the town, ours and patterns of our pottery ex- are from Nabeul. Even the original Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel Europe. In its 19th edition, the is a great way to gain insight into tend to our buildings too.” recipe of Tunisian harissa is often and Culture contributor to festival takes place in Tunis this history. It displays a collection Nabeul’s market includes beau- called Nabeul’s harissa before it be- The Arab Weekly. and other parts of Tunisia. Abu Dhabi: December 14-27

Al Dhafra Festival is a major regional and international event inspired by the Emirati authentic Bedouin spirit. It features more than a dozen heritage activities and com- petitions, including a camel beauty contest, with a total prize value of more than $12.8 million.

We welcome submissions of calendar items related to cultural events of interest to travellers in the Middle East and North Africa. Please send tips to: Archaeologists diving off the coast of Nabeul in north-eastern Tunisia at the site A sample of ceramic tiles made in the coastal town of [email protected] of the ancient Roman city of Neapolis. (The Tunisian National Heritage Institute) Nabeul. (The Tunisian Association for Safeguarding the Town of Nabeul)