{
  "id": 6123675,
  "title": "Donkeys don bows and sunglasses for a summer race in southern Lebanon, in photos",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/donkeys-don-bows-and-sunglasses-for-a-summer-race-in-southern-lebanon",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T09:06:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/donkeys-don-bows-and-sunglasses-for-a-summer-race-in-southern-lebanon-in-photos-1.500665742"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Donkeys adorned with vibrant bows, sunglasses, and crocheted flowers took center stage in Roum, southern Lebanon, as the town hosted its annual summer donkey race. This tradition, dating back to 1964, saw participants guide their decorated animals through the town, drawing cheers from enthusiastic spectators gathered in the streets.\n\nThe race, a highlight of Roum’s summer festival, showcased a playful side to the event, with donkeys dressed in colorful ribbons and accessories. One such participant, Kevin Nakhleh, 21, rode his donkey, Al-Aawar, to victory in the lively competition. Nakhleh proudly held up a trophy after the race, his donkey decked out in colorful ribbons.\n\nPhotos captured the colorful spectacle, with donkeys passing in front of fans and spectators taking pictures through their mobile phones, cheering for the riders. The event, held annually, offered a glimpse into Roum’s rural heritage and cultural traditions, providing a cheerful gathering for the community in the summer.",
  "summary": "Donkeys dressed in colourful bows, sunglasses and crocheted flowers took centre stage as Roum in southern Lebanon hosted its annual summer donkey race, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1964. Among the participants was Kevin Nakhleh, who rode his donkey, Al-Aawar, to victory in the lively competition near the city of Jezzine. The unusual race drew crowds of spectators, many of whom…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}