Wine festival in the city of Fianarantsoa

From August 20 to 22, the city of Fianarantsoa is organizing a big festival destined primarily to celebrate wines. Settled in 1830 during which the Malagasy Queen, Ranavalona I, reigned, the city of Fianarantsoa, with its 150.000 inhabitants, remains the leader in terms of wine production throughout the Great Island. The region is mostly reputed for its production of wines of good quality which, undoubtedly, is thanks to its vast vineyards and its large wine production factories. As far as the widely renowned wine brand, Lazan’i Bestileo, is concerned, its production rate continues to rise, and that is, in spite of ever growing competitions. For example, from 2007 to 2009, the production rate went from 450 to 780 tons a year. But in addition to the celebration of wines, the 2 days festival held in the city of Fianarantsoa also aims at promoting the value of tourism, handcrafts and particularly the culture of the region. The closing ceremony of the festival will be held in Ambalavao.