The town of Rashaya al-Wadi delayed its farewell to summer this year, choosing to say goodbye in its own way by organizing a rural day titled “Our Season is Sweetening,” in cooperation with the owners of production establishments in the historic Rashaya market and local pantry producers, on Sunday, November 5.
“Join us to bring back our traditions” was an invitation extended by the organizers to express the essence of this day, which included activities, the preparation of traditional Lebanese food, and an exhibition of locally made products.
Regarding the details of the activity, Mufid Mahmoud, one of the organizers, pointed out that “The ‘Our Season is Sweetening’ festival is a spontaneous activity in light of current circumstances, aimed at clinging to the land, celebrating with joy the produce and bounties found in our country, and upholding honor and dignity so that we may remain present.”
Mahmoud added, in an interview with the mtv website, “We are brought together by the blessings of the land. We are resisting in our own way amidst these surrounding atmospheres, which we share in their sorrows and sympathize with what is happening. However, we have accumulated seasonal stocks in our homes, and we wanted this festival to be an opportunity for the farmer and the merchant to sell their production so they can continue to cultivate their land and produce from it. Agriculture is the policy of remaining on the land.”
The program included food from ancient heritage, rural hospitality, pantry items, and a segment on teaching how to “press and crack olives.”
