RIYADH, 7 November 2005 — Eid festivities here this year featured a couple of firsts — a circus and a cinema. Thousands of women and children watched animated films on the big screen in the capital city, where public screening of movies was banned some 30 years ago.

This cinema on the occasion of Eid was only open to women and children and made possible through an agreement with Riyadh Municipality. The films were shown to women and children at King Fahd Cultural Center for three days. Some 1,500 women and children attended on the first day of the screening alone, one source told Arab News yesterday.

Despite some resistance from a few local groups and individuals, the 1,400-seat cinema each evening presented three one-hour shows featuring cartoons dubbed in Arabic. Tickets cost SR10 per person.

“There was a heavy turnout of moviegoers on the second day and the third day of Eid,” said Laila Al-Onaizi, a woman who took her kids to see the cartoons.

Asked about attendance during the three-day Eid celebration, officials declined comment, but unofficial estimates claim about 8,000 women and children attended.

Local newspaper reporters, photographers and TV crews were banned from the event.

“About 30 women were specially trained by a private company to operate the show,” said Hamed Al-Yahya, executive director of Thaa Star Mass Communication Company.

“Jamal,” Arabic for camel, was one of the four cartoons featuring voices of Saudi artists, including Rashdi Shamrani and Habib Al-Habib. The cartoon narrates the story of a camel growing up in a desert with good friends — and bad friends. Other cartoons ranging from an hour to 90 minutes included “Al-Macroni Al-Thalatha,” “Al-Farras” and “Ibnul Al-Gabba.”

In addition to films, the celebration also included dramas performed by women, a circus and fireworks displays besides car racing and droning competitions. One of the family entertainment highlights this year was the circus, the first of its kind to play in Riyadh in which exotic animals, such as tigers, were featured before an audience. Open on different days for women and children and for men, the circus attracted huge crowds. Located at fairgrounds in Murooj District, the circus kicked off Thursday with two shows.

About 16 family shows and events were organized this year in the city as part of the Eid celebrations. Some of them included folk bands and dance, a daredevil car and motorbike show and dramas performed separately by men and women.

Along with fireworks, crowds stocked up on piles of sweets, which are still being served in Riyadh houses. “I’ve managed to do business of over SR15,000 during the last three days,” said Azeez, who runs a sweetshop.

The festivities may not be over yet. “It looks as if the celebrations will continue for the next two or three days,” said businessman Mohammad Wasim.