A participant holds binoculars as he attends the traditional shooting competition in Oualata, during the annual festival of ancient cities, on December 10, 2023. The festival, held from December 8 to December 12, 2023, aims to celebrate the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient Mauritanian cities, such as Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, classified as World Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (Photo by Michele Cattani / AFP)