Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot, addressing a press conference at the embassy on Monday, said performers from Pays Basque, folk dances from the 18th and 19th centuries and elegant dancers from Vannes province would be among the highlights at the Janadriyah.

Saudi spectators will also enjoy an evening of Arabic singing with the famous French singer Sapho and be charmed by accordion players on the sidewalks of Paris that have been replicated in the Pavilion.

“The walk through the Pavilion will take the visitor from one part of France to another,” said Besancenot.

Besancenot expres-sed his appreciation after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah chose to honor France this year. He added that participation in the event, which is expected to be attended by one million people, would strengthen French-Saudi relations.

Janadriyah’s activities will not be exclusive to the Riyadh area as other parts of the Kingdom are also holding cultural events.

“All the more reason to show, not only regular visitors of France, but the average citizen of the Kingdom what the reality of France is,” said Besancenot

He added that the famous Spahi cavalry will pay their respects to the Saudi authorities.

The Pavilion will also exhibit the best in French technology such as a life-size model TGV train — one of the best and fastest in the world. Besancenot also expressed great gratitude to Janadriyah’s organizers and the National Guard, who were closely involved in the planning and participation through a special ad hoc committee.

“The French participation will respect the spirit of Janadriyah and of Saudi culture,” he said.

“For the first time, Janadriyah will have eight days dedicated to families and not three as was the case during the past few years,” says Abdul Aziz Al Al-Sheikh, a businessman and a cultural consultant to the French Embassy in Riyadh.

Besancenot indicated that France’s participation in Janadriyah this year could form the basis for establishing a French cultural center in the Kingdom and vice versa, as suggested by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

“We have helped a number of Saudi artists from different places of the Kingdom through our cultural office as a way to keep in touch with the cultural movement of the country,” said Besancenot.

The French ambassador described French-Saudi relations as “very strong on many levels”, indicating that the two countries have been strategic partners for over 14 years. The relationship began with the late King Faisal’s historic visit to France in 1967.

Political, economic and security cooperation form the basis for such strong ties, but the French Embassy and Consulate are also among the most active embassies organizing cultural events, Ambassador Besancenot said. “Saudi Arabia’s archeological treasures will be presented in a huge exhibition at the Louvre on July 12, which is important for the image of the Kingdom.”