Rachaya al-Wadi is preparing to welcome visitors to the eighth edition of “Grape Molasses Day,” to be held on October 3 and 4 in its historic market.
The Rachaya al-Wadi municipality and the “Rachaya and Beyond” association are organizing the festival under the slogan “From our land… we tell our story.”
Grape Molasses Day revives a season that Rachaya’s families have passed down for hundreds of years, centered on the making of grape molasses (dibs).
Traditional presses used to bring residents together around their harvest, amid singing, chanting and ululations.
Today, the presses open their doors to visitors so they can learn about the stages of pressing grapes and turning them into molasses, and taste it straight from the vats.
Municipality head Rachrach Naji said a massive “grapevine arbor” will stretch over the market, where local products will be on display, including grape molasses, raisins, dried figs and homemade preserves.
Activities will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a local food exhibition and tours of the market, the old neighborhoods and the churches, as well as a visit to Independence Citadel and its museum.
Hiking enthusiasts can also take advantage of a 15-kilometer nature trail.
Organizers expect a large turnout after Rachaya welcomed around 20,000 visitors last year.
Restaurants and guesthouses are also getting ready to host participants over the two days. In this way, Grape Molasses Day combines the preservation of heritage with a boost to tourism and economic activity in the town.
