International Saffron Festival-Taliouine

Taliouine, a small city in Morocco located 120 km east of Taroudant, is known for being the “Berber gold city” thanks to its production of saffron, the world’s most expensive spice. The region, nestled at the base of the Atlas Mountains, is home to crocus sativus, the flower that produces saffron. The annual saffron harvest season is celebrated as a festive event, drawing on traditions passed down through generations. The Saffron Festival, established in 2007, offers visitors a chance to experience the scent of saffron through farm visits, cooperative forums, demonstrations, workshops, and saffron-infused food tastings. The festival also includes sporting events and entertainment such as concerts featuring Berber music and the traditional Ahwach dance.

The festival aims to promote the Taliouine region, boost saffron sales, and improve living conditions in the rural Anti-Atlas. It attracts hundreds of visitors every late October to early November, offering a platform for exchange and entertainment. The festival’s program includes seminars, an official inauguration, local product exhibitions, and study days. The festival also serves as a way to preserve and promote the region’s cultural heritage, including the Ahwach dance, which symbolizes tribal life and is passed down from generation to generation. The valorization of saffron also helps promote other regional products and supports the growth of rural tourism.