RIYADH, 29 January — Thousands of Saudis and expatriates have visited the 16th Janadriya Heritage and Culture Festival, which has become the cultural landmark of the capital.
A distinctive feature of the event is the blend of tradition and modernity -- from the evolution of Saudi Arabia through its various phases leading up to the modern times.
Of the ten pavilions put up by various provinces and governmental agencies, the Madinah Pavilion has stolen the show. The centerpiece of attraction at the pavilion is the recreation of Madinah's rocky terrain featuring shops as well as the lifestyle of its people. The arts and handicrafts, the local cuisine and customs hark back to the golden age of the Prophet.
Among the other pavilions, Al-Baha's is truly an artistic creation. Built at a cost of SR2.5 million, it is complete with traditional houses and a medium-size tower that dominates the surrounding landscape. Folk dances, songs and handicrafts help to replicate the ethos of this tourist resort.
Equally fascinating is the Al-Qassim Pavilion symbolizing the customs and traditions of the people and their food habits. The pavilion became a hit with the people, who enjoyed the rhythmic swaying of the sword dancers. A brownish tower, over 25 meters in height, exercised a magnetic pull on the visitors, with cameras clicking feverishly to capture the stills.
Jizan, frequently in the news for the Rift Valley Fever, turned the spotlight on governmental efforts to rein in RVF. On display were brochures and booklets highlighting the ongoing measures to contain the spread of this disease which has claimed over a hundred human lives, besides killing cattle and sheep.
On the flip side, the Jizan Pavilion showed off the traditional dances and houses as well as the art of making pottery. A noteworthy aspect of the architectural style was the correlation between architecture and topography. Against the backdrop of Jizan's rugged terrain, it made sense that the houses there have ceilings lined with palm leaves to minimize damage resulting from any house collapse.
Besides the pavilions, there was also a handicraft souq in which Saudi artisans demonstrated their skills in making pottery, perfumes, carpentry, etc. The presence of swords and daggers in the shops harked back to the time when they constituted the main elements of the Arab weaponry.
Among the symbols of modernity were the mock-ups prepared by the ministries of education, agriculture and water and communications, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as well as the Kingdom's universities and the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Janadriya Heritage and Cultural Festival carried a message for the younger generation. It was to remind them of the Kingdom's glorious past, its rich cultural tapestry, and its vibrant present. The festival is a flashback into Saudi history and culture and a mirror image of the present.
