Heir is a village located 70 kilometers north of Qazvin. Every year, a festival called the "Cornelian Cherry Festival" is held in this village. Stay with Saad News to learn more about this festival.
Event tourism is a type of tourism where one of its goals is to preserve and revive native culture, especially in small towns and villages. This type of tourism significantly contributes to the protection of cultural and social events while also boosting the national pride and self-confidence of local communities. Additionally, attention to this type of tourism provides significant economic support to residents of rural areas and small towns. Currently, many ritual and traditional festivals and celebrations are held in Iran, each showcasing the beliefs and culture of the people from that region. Many of these festivals and events are listed as intangible cultural heritage of Iran. One of the beautiful events in a village in Iran is the "Zoghal Akhteh" Festival, which is held in the village of Hir.
Zoghal Akhteh Festival
The Zoghal Akhteh Festival is a thanksgiving celebration that takes place in the village of Hir, located in the Rudbar district of Qazvin province. It includes local music, traditional games, and the distribution of Zoghal Akhteh (Cornelian cherry). The festival is warmly welcomed by tourists each year. The production of Zoghal Akhteh in Qazvin province, with 850 hectares of cultivation, holds the top position in the country. Zoghal Akhteh is one of the lesser-known horticultural products in Iran, which, like any other horticultural product, has various advantages such as nutritional and medicinal value, foreign exchange potential, export opportunities, and profitability for farmers.
The Place of Zoghal Akhteh Cultivation
Hir is a village 70 kilometers north of Qazvin and a hub for the production of Zoghal Akhteh. In good harvest years, over 200 tons of Zoghal Akhteh are sent from the orchards of this village to various parts of the country. On September 1st, visitors will have the chance to see tons of these berries at once. Zoghal Akhteh from this village is considered the finest in the country, which might explain why it is the center of the festival. Previously, efforts were made to hold a Zoghal Akhteh festival in Kalibar, an area in East Azerbaijan province near Tabriz, due to its unique climate, which is ideal for Zoghal Akhteh cultivation. It is even said that Zoghal Akhteh has become a symbol of the identity of Kalibar.
Festival Activities
One of the unique features of the Zoghal Akhteh Festival in Qazvin is the performance of beautiful local music. At the festival, tourists learn about how various products from Zoghal Akhteh are harvested and produced. These products include jam, fruit leather, canned goods, sauces, juices, and even antioxidant pills. Another highlight of the festival is traditional games from the West Alamut region, which are enjoyed by tourists. At the festival, there are booths selling other agricultural products from the area, and visitors can also purchase local handicrafts. Throughout the event, guests are offered Zoghal Akhteh fruit. Attending this festival allows you to enjoy this popular and, of course, expensive summer fruit. Every year, many tourists from all over Iran and even the world attend this celebration and enjoy their visit to this beautiful and historic village.
Final Thoughts
In addition to the fruit of the Zaghal Akhteh tree, its wood is also very popular because it does not sink in water and is used to make car parts. If you wish to attend the Zaghal Akhteh Festival, you can travel to the city of Qazvin.
