ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Halabja Pomegranate and Autumn Festival began on Thursday. The event, during which local produce and handmade products will be showcased, will last for three days. An organizer expects 300,000 visitors. 

The 11th edition of the event, commonly known as Halabja Pomegranate Festival, is supervised by a four-member high committee. 

Arsalan Abid, a committee member, told Rudaw that 650 booths have been set up at the festival to display produce and products. The first section features pomegranates and local fruits, the second showcases women’s handicrafts, and the third highlights Kurdish cuisine.

He added that “250 booths are dedicated to selling pomegranates and other autumn produce.”

At the festival, molasses, honey, and dried foods are being sold, with the requirement that all must be locally produced.

Due to the festival, Thursday has been declared an official holiday in Halabja, with the remaining two days coinciding with the weekend.

The member of the organizing committee said that 285,000 people visited the festival last year. “This year we expect the number to exceed 300,000 people.”

Photos by Bilind T. Abdullah/Rudaw