NHCF expects over a million visitors

A large number of activities have been lined up for more the than one million visitors expected to attend the 28th National Heritage and Culture Festival (NHCF).
Preparations have been made to make the festival a success, said the deputy chairman of the Festival’s Supreme Committee on Tuesday.
On April 3, the festival will kick off in Janadriyah village, 45 km north of Riyadh, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Many world leaders, including the Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu, will attend the yearly event.
On April 4 to 7, from 4 p.m, the festival grounds will be open to men only. Groups of students are allowed to visit on Saturday through Wednesday from 9 to 12 a.m. Families are welcome from April 8 to 19, from 4 to 12 p.m.
The literary and educational symposiums will be held at King Faisal Conference Hall at the Intercontinental Hotel and Makarim Hall at the Marriott Hotel in Riyadh.
On April 9 at 8 p.m. the festival will showcase the Saudi popular folklore dance, which will be attended by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri, assistant deputy commander of the National Guard, said the 28th version of the event would mix men’s activities with those of women as long as all are committed to traditions and laws.
The cultural and intellectual seminars will address interesting topics, such as: Saudi Arabia and the global balance (between Islam, Energy and Peace), Arab issues and dialogue objectivity and professional credibility, Islamic political movement, enlightenment movement in the Arabs nations, national capital, savings and sustainable development, management and financial corruption sustainable development in Arab nations, China and its relations with the Arab World and the Arabic language and identity challenges.
Al-Tuwaijri said the attendance of a great number of intellectuals and thinkers is a means for exchanging ideas.
This year, the festival will honor a number of intellectuals and thinkers from both genders, Al-Tuwaijri said. There would be participation from different selected regions in addition to the Gulf Cooperation Council.