Harissa Festival in Tunisia Celebrates Culinary Heritage, Innovation

Tunis, November ( وكالة الأنباء السعودية ۔ ‎‎‎ 01 نوفمبر 2026ء) Nabeul's harissa comes in several varieties, including traditional recipes known locally as arabi, mdashdasha, and mfawra. In 2022, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the knowledge, skills, and culinary practices associated with Tunisian harissa on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival also highlights harissa's economic importance and the role of women farmers and artisans in preserving traditional preparation methods and developing local specialties. Tunisia grows an estimated 400,000 tons of chili peppers annually. This year's activities include Italian pizza makers preparing innovative recipes featuring harissa, as well as scientific discussions on native Nabeul chili pepper seeds. The events seek to preserve culinary traditions while encouraging new uses for the popular condiment.