Sahouri Faqqous Festival: celebrating land and farmer
On the evening of 23 June 2026, the square of Virgin Mary’s Well in the Old City hosted the annual festival, supporting farmers, celebrating the quality of local produce and strengthening national identity.
What is Sahouri faqqous?
A variety of Armenian cucumber grown on Beit Sahour’s land, and one of the best-known heritage symbols and crops of the City of Shepherds. Its festival is held every June in the Old City.
The festival
The festival was organised by Beit Sahour Municipality with the Palestine Wildlife Society and the YWCA of Bethlehem, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Local Government, heads of neighbouring municipalities and councils, official and civil institutions, farmers, and crowds of residents and visitors.
The festival aims to preserve cultural heritage, highlight the symbolism of the Sahouri faqqous and the farmer’s bond with the land, support local produce, boost the economy and revive the Old City, through an exhibition of heritage, women’s and food products that this year saw wide participation from the city’s women.
In his speech, the Mayor described the festival as a quintessentially Sahouri heritage and cultural signature, an occasion to preserve the city’s farming heritage, and a model of cooperation between local institutions and the public and private sectors.
The Baqoun Folklore Dance Group took the stage, followed by songs from student Adnan Al-Hourani, accompanied by his teacher Wassim Qassis of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, and student Ronza Iyad Khair; national and folk songs by the women of the Palestinian Heritage Troupe; tales from storyteller Mariam Muammar; and a children’s show by Amo Mini.
