USAID Visit Tunisia kicked off the Festival Incubator Program, a technical assistance/ mentoring program for Tunisian event and festival organizers, with a study tour to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.
From June 20-27, USAID Visit Tunisia accompanied five event/festival organizers to the festival, which celebrates living cultural traditions from around the world, bringing in more than 1 million visitors per year.
Throughout the week, the organizers participated in cultural workshops and narrative sessions; interviewed festival organizer staff on the event’s organization process; and volunteered in festival activities, such as the marketplace.
Tunisian event/festival organizers meet with Rebecca Fenton, co-curator of “United Arab Emirates: Living Landscape | Living Memory” (R) at the 2022 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
The event/festival organizers said the experience provided them with valuable insight on festival organization, operations, and fundraising which they will look to incorporate in their own events.
Tunisia’s events and festivals are key to attracting both domestic and international tourism, as well as showcasing the country’s unique natural and cultural tourism offerings. Each year, the organizers participating in USAID Visit Tunisia’s Festival Incubator Program host events that attract a combined 1 million visitors.
To build their capacity and improve the quality and reach of these events, USAID Visit Tunisia will work with these organizers in programming, design, operations, community engagement, and marketing.
