Spokesman of the Al-Jouf Governorate Abdul Aziz Al-Hamwan said preparations for the occasion have been completed under the supervision of the chairman of the supreme committee Muhammad bin Hamad Al-Nasser and the head of the organizing committee Muhammad bin Dais Al-Dandani. According to the spokesman, Al-Jouf has 14 million olive trees that yield 80,000 tons of olives and 60,000 tons of oil annually.

He said Al-Jouf olive oil is 100 percent pure and free of any additives and added that the region’s olive oil was ranked 6th in the world at the BioFach 2008 international competition held in Germany.

Al-Hamwan said the 15-day festival will include a number of activities including poetic recitations and art exhibitions. King Abdulaziz Women’s Welfare Society will also participate in the festival in a special exhibition that will display the products of 80 families involved in various projects.

“Under the directives of the society chairperson Princess Sara bint Abdullah, the women will display textiles, embroidery works, popular food items and other exhibits,” he added.

To encourage women’s participation, Princess Sara will award a cash prize of SR50,000 to the first place winner, SR20,000 to the first runner-up and SR10,000 to the second runner-up.