RIYADH: Although it was women-only day at the Janadriya National Heritage and Cultural Festival yesterday, attendance was limited. Rumors of an upcoming sandstorm may have scared people off, yet a number of foreign visitors were strolling around unperturbed by the slightly warm weather.
“I prefer to come during the day, as one is able to see the colors and have a full view of the place,” said Maria, an Argentinean national visiting the festival for the fourth time.
“There are many things to see and buy, people are very friendly. They help to find crafts, food and stuff,” she said, adding that she is impressed at how the event gets better each year.
“It is a great experience, a reflection of Saudi society’s many faces,” said Gabriella, an Argentinean visiting for the second time. “Although the issue of communication needs to be worked on, as there are not enough details regarding times and days in newspapers,” she added. Her friend Maria agreed, adding that there is also a lack of signs and information in English.
Maria said she found people friendly and willing to provide information. Commenting on the decision to allow the event to be opened to mixed genders for the first time in the festival’s 24 years, Maria said, “We did miss the vibe earlier that accompanies women and children’s only days as women feel free and the place becomes lively with dances and action.”
Paula, from South America, is visiting the event for the first time. She has experienced something different and found everything interesting and attractive. “I bought many crafts, bamboo baskets, wood crafts and handmade pottery.”
“It is my first visit and I find it full of life, although I am told that it’s less crowded than usual because of fear of an anticipated sandstorm,” said Cary, a visitor from the US, who was at the Madinah section of the exhibition buying dates.
Ruby from Pakistan agreed with Cary. “No need for maps or leaflets for information as the event is well organized and one can go around easily and people direct you in a very friendly way,” she said. She added that the event is better when it is only open to women and children.
Al-Jowhara Al-Wabily, head of the participants’ delegation from Qassim, expressed frustration at the decision to open the event for men and women. “The whole of the Janadriya is open to families, which means that the women-only area is limited to a small area that includes the main hall, the educational tent for poetry and a few other areas,” she said.
Al-Wabily said women from Qassim wait for the event to exhibit their crafts and generate income. “Every year we participate with over 80 members. This year we’ve ended up with three representatives from the whole of the Qassim area, which is unfair,” she said.
Meanwhile, journalists said the information center was below standards. “There were only three working PC terminals and the center was not enough to accommodate the large number of women journalists who had come to cover the annual event,” said one journalist.
