Makkah pavilion catches the eye

There is a lot to see at the 28th Janadriyah Cultural Festival but for residents along the western shores of the Kingdom, the Makkah pavilion is sure to hold a fascination.
The pavilion showcases traditional architectural styles from Makkah, Jeddah and Taif. It also conveys to visitors the social life that prevailed in the region’s past. 
A unique feature of the Hejazi architectural style is projecting wooden balconies, called rawshan, which comprise decorated doors and windows carved into screens that allow the passage of air for ventilation while at the same time ensuring the privacy of occupants.
The indigenous architectural style of Jeddah and Makkah includes multi-leveled structures with decorative elements rendered in plaster both inside and out. Coral and mud bricks were the main building materials of Jeddah.
The show also describes the ongoing expansion work at the Grand Mosque and other major development projects undertaken in Makkah and the holy sites. Also displayed in the pavilion are old photos of the Grand Mosque.
In addition to highlighting the region’s architectural history, the pavilion showcases models of trades such as sword making, carpentry, jewelry making, key making, pottery, porcelain works, shoes and belts and distillation of Taif rose.
The pavilion also holds early-model cars used in the region several decades ago, farm tools, clothes and cloth-making devices.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is keen on presenting a positive picture of the province, has provided all material and moral support for activities at the pavilion.
The pavilion for the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques focuses mainly on the various stages of the expansion work at the Prophet’s Mosque and the Grand Mosque in Makkah. 
The National Guard pavilion displays pictorial presentations of its activities and replicas of equipment the Guard uses.
“The showcased articles aim at familiarizing the public with the various tasks undertaken by the National Guard. It also gives people an idea about the origin and development of the Guard,” Supervisor of the National Guard’s exhibition, Capt. Misfar Al-Qareini, said.
The National Guard pavilion also holds a theater for children where amusement and awareness programs are being presented, he said.