Tunis — For many visitors, pictures of the southern village of Matmata, located some 40 km from the coastal town of Gabes, might seem uncannily familiar; for good reason too, the town was once the setting for George Lucas's "Star Wars."

The fifth edition of the Matmata festival, which aims at showcasing the village's rich culture, as well as its amazing architecture epitomized by its troglodyte houses dug in the clayish rock. The houses which were built by the village's early Berber dwellers centuries ago, and which are now considered as ecological models, radiating natural warmth in winter and coolness in summer, have been turned into comfortable hotels attracting a number of foreign visitors.

Several popular artistic troupes from Tunisia and abroad will take part in the festival which will also feature horsing shows and a colloquium on the region's mountain villages.

Visits to the mountain village of Tamezret and the perched citadel of Ksar Jomaa, are also planned.

The festival which is gaining momentum from year to year, is one of the country's most vibrant representations of Tunisian authentic culture.