Saudi Arabia: Farasan Islands Host 20th Hareed Festival in Celebration of Culture

This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: Farasan Islands Host 20th Hareed Festival in Celebration of Culture

This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA

The Farasan Islands, a string of coral islands nestled 40 kilometers off the coast of Jizan in the Red Sea, are abuzz with activity as they host the 20th edition of the Hareed (parrotfish) Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.
This vibrant annual event, held in late April and early May, celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters, SPA said.
For generations, the Farasan people have cherished this natural phenomenon, transforming it into a social gathering that goes beyond the fish. The festival showcases the islands' unique customs, traditions, folk games, and handicrafts. It also throws a spotlight on Farasan's remarkable tourism potential and historical sites.
Festival visitors may have a glimpse at the islands' rich cultural heritage. One of the highlights is "Al-Dana", a captivating form of vocal art that is one of Farasan's oldest folk traditions. It is a poignant expression of longing that arose from the hardships endured by sailors on extended pearl-diving expeditions. The challenges faced by these brave men fueled this art form, which is deeply rooted in Farasan's cultural identity, SPA said.
The festival also provides a platform for Farasan residents to showcase their traditional handicrafts. Visitors get to see the production of fishing traps and nets, the intricate weaving of palm fronds, the creation of bags and rugs, and the art of hat knitting.
A dedicated area at the Hareed fishing site caters to families and children; there, participants can experience the thrill of catching parrotfish using a traditional method that involves setting up barriers to prevent the fish from escaping. This competition, a centuries-old tradition, allows families to connect with the island's fishing heritage.
Just five kilometers from Farasan Grand Island lies Al-Qassar Village, a captivating destination that draws many visitors. This heritage village, built with stone and palm leaves, boasts the largest palm oasis in the archipelago. Al-Qassar served as a summer retreat for Farasan residents, who would travel by camel to spend a three-month getaway during the season of Al-Asef, the northwestern summer wind that comes after the Hareed fishing season.
Famous for its abundance of fresh groundwater, Al-Qassar Village comprises around 400 houses. These unique dwellings with stone walls and roofs made of palm tree planks, leaves, Doum palm, or Anisotes trisulcus branches topped with algae and mud, show traditional building techniques designed to withstand the elements.



Italy’s Vintage Trains Lure Tourists off Beaten Track 

Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
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Italy’s Vintage Trains Lure Tourists off Beaten Track 

Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)

As it rolls across Italy's central regions, a vintage diesel locomotive towing carriages from the 1930s and 1950s crosses the forests of the Majella National park and the Abruzzo highlands, giving tourists on board a glimpse of hidden hamlets.

Across its just over 100 kilometers (62 miles), the so-called Italian Transiberian rail line, also known as the Park Railway, slips into gorges, snakes into 58 tunnels and braves huge viaducts.

It was the first of some 1,000 kilometers of line to have re-opened under a project by Fondazione FS, part of state-controlled national rail company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS).

The "Timeless tracks" project takes tourists to forgotten parts of Italy, offering an alternative to the fast-paced, mass tourism of the major cities.

"These are tracks that have lived through different eras, they have carried soldiers to the front, cows to pasture... they were mistakenly considered unproductive during the 1960s and 70s but are now once again of value," Luigi Cantamessa, who heads Fondazione FS, told Reuters.

Inspired by train travel in Switzerland, the project now carries 45,000 tourists a year across its 13 lines. Fondazione FS expects to open two new ones by 2026, both in the southern region of Sicily.

"What were considered to be the dry branches of Italy's train network, have now proved to be the green shoots," Cantamessa added.

NO FROZEN PIZZAS

"People are used to cities and places, like Florence, that everyone knows.. but then there are other areas that need to be discovered. (This) is the right kind of tourism that does not spoil the authenticity of places," said Norma Pagiotti, a 28-year-old from Florence travelling on the train with two friends.

With arrival numbers above pre-pandemic levels, popular European travel destinations including Venice have introduced measures aimed at managing visitor numbers amid rising concerns about overcrowding.

"The train reminds me of my youth, I feel a bit nostalgic for the things of the past, which were simpler, now everything is fast, short-lived," says Caterina Quaranta, from Taranto in southern Italy, sitting on the wooden seats of the train.

The trips attract Italians and foreigners, a lot of families and children, younger people who get off to hike and cycle, and older people "who have time to spare", explained Laura Colaprete, a local guide.

"It's for those who don't want mass market, cluttered destinations. A conscious traveler, who is looking for something special," said Cantamessa of Fondazione FS. "These are not trips that serve you frozen pizza for lunch," he added.

FOLK MUSIC AND LOCAL FOOD

After climbing up almost 1,000 meters in altitude, the Transiberian's first stop is in Palena, a medieval hill-top town known for its breathtaking views over the national park.

Traditional folk music accompanies people getting off the train, with local delicacies such as lamb skewers and soft pancakes made with an iron mold, known as pizzelle, and products by local artisans awaiting them at the station.

"The train helps several small towns around here. This line was a dead line before," said Gino Toppi, 60, as he helped his wife with the food stall in the small station.

Milan's Bocconi University recently estimated that for every euro spent by passengers on tickets - which cost between 30 euros and 70 euros ($32.50 - $76)- up to a further 3 euros are spent on food, accommodation, tours and souvenirs.

That helps to support the economy of villages that have long lost population due to the dwindling birth rate and younger people leaving for the bigger cities

"There certainly are benefits, this is a way to show my products," said Annalisa Cantelmi, a herbalist.

"These tourists are slowly discovering these new territories, their traditions and people," she added.