The five-day event started on Tuesday night in the Al-Arfa area, with more than 480 poets participating.

Souk Okaz has also attracted large number of leading companies within the Kingdom to help display Saudi Arabia’s history through original photos, hand-made products and magazines.

“Souk Okaz is considered a very important event that attracts large number of tourists. It is a golden opportunity to display the Kingdom’s history, culture and literature,” said Nabil Baashen, director of Saudi Aramco affairs in the Western Province.

Aramco’s participation at Souk Okaz included displaying original photos of Taif.

“Through these photos, viewers can follow the development stages of the city. The new generation is aware of the expansion and development of the Kingdom, but they still have little idea about its past,” said Baashen. “We presented old photos from 50 years ago. Such photos really capture the Kingdom’s past. We are participating in such events to shine the light on the Kingdom’s history. We are interested in supporting such national events to inform the new generation about the development of Saudi Arabia.”

Adel Al-Maghrabi, deputy manger of Saudi Aramco in the Western Province, told Arab News about efforts the oil company was making to preserve the Kingdom’s past.

“During the exhibition we displayed the Aramco golden dollar, which is a coin we were using to buy petrol 80 years ago,” he said.

“It is difficult to find these coins now. We brought two pieces and displayed them in the expo.”

Aramco signed an agreement with Prince Khaled and the Arab Thought Foundation to display all old photos and written texts by leading Arab writers such as Dr. Taha Hussein and Abbas Mahmud Al-Aqqad.

Citizens of neighboring Gulf countries also attend Souk Okaz to display their products and services, including food, handicraft, folk dances, poetry and theater.

“Different careers have been advertised by participants from GCC countries. In addition, productive families gathered to display their hand-made products,” said Baashen.