Festival of the Desert

Created in January 2001, the 'festival au desert' is held every year in Essakane, two hours from Timbouctou in Mali. This Festival seeks its origin in the big traditional Touareg festivities, such as Takoubelt in Kidal and Temakannit in Tombouctou─ a chance for communication between the widely spread communities of the desert. The festival includes songs and touareg dances, poetry readings, camel rides, games etc. Today, the Festival attracts artists from other Malian regions and African countries, as well as from Europe and America.