In 1967 it took on its modern identity according to the will of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president of the new republic, to become the country's oldest and best-known festival.

Since then, every year at the end of December for four days, thousands of people, mostly from all over Tunisia and other Maghrebien countries, flock to Douz.

[1] After the opening ceremony, the main events take place in the H'naiech stadium in front of the desert surrounded by Bedouin tents.

Camel marathons, fantasia- galloping Arab horses ridden by daring riders, a Bedouin marriage, sloughi desert hunting dogs - catching rabbits are the principal features.

The central event is the poetry contest run by the desert poet, Abdellatif Belgacem.