RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday inaugurated the National Heritage and Culture Festival at Janadriya village, 45 km north of Riyadh. The opening ceremony of the festival — which has allowed families, including women, to attend for the first time in its 25-year history — was attended by high-ranking Saudi officials and foreign diplomats.
The festival started with a breathtaking camel race in which about 500 contestants took part. King Abdullah himself handed prizes to the winners of the first round of the event. Russia, a close ally of the Kingdom, is participating in festival as a guest of honor. On behalf of Russia, Aleksandr Alekseyevich Avdeydev, minister of culture, attended the opening ceremony along with his delegation.
The inaugural session was attended by King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, Prince Sattam, deputy governor of Riyadh, and Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, assistant commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs and vice chairman of the festival’s Supreme Committee.
The festival ground, dotted with small and large pavilions depicting the Kingdom’s different governorates and regions and government agencies, was in full gear with a wide range of activities including sword dances, heritage and history exhibitions, culinary specialties and stunts.
“The festival mirrors the glory of our past culture and heritage. Thanks to the keenness and support of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, it has become an international cultural event,” said Prince Miteb.
He welcomed the participation of Russia and said the festival seeks to generate awareness about cultures and heritages of different countries by inviting them to attend the festival and displaying their own art and heritage. He pointed out that King Abdullah would also attend the annual equestrian event at Janadriya tomorrow.
The Janadriya festival “serves to preserve our Arab and Islamic identity and inspire the present and future generations with our glorious heritage,” he said.
This year, Asir is participating in the festival with a delegation comprising more than 400 people. Asir’s pavilion features a different look. Other attractions are the Madinah Pavilion, the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences Pavilion, the Ministry of Labor Pavilion, corner shops, souks and an artifacts corner manned by octogenarian and nonagenarian Saudi nationals.
Abdul Rahman Al-Subait, undersecretary at the National Guard, recalled the tremendous achievements made by the Kingdom in almost all spheres under the visionary leadership of King Abdullah. He outlined the significance of the festival and said the Kingdom’s past and present are based on the noble principles of Islam. He pointed out that the theme of this year’s festival is “Islam and the dialogue of cultures.”
He said that a number of regions and governorates participating in the festival with their troupes and pavilions would be staging cultural programs on a daily basis.
The festival will be open to the public from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily and on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 12 noon.
