SABIC hails Souk Okaz aims

The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)has thrown its weight behind the 7th annual Souk Okaz.
The festival was organized with the support of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal who is also the chairman of the supreme supervisory committee of Souk Okaz.
Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al-Saud, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and chairman of SABIC, accompanied by Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC vice chairman and CEO, attended the opening ceremony.
Prince Saud said: “SABIC’s participation is due to Souk Okaz’s position as a unique historical and artistic poetic forum, and its inherent content promotes ethical, cultural and historical values among the Arabs.”
He highlighted SABIC’s commitment to create value and positive impact on Saudi society by adopting an ambitious vision and comprehensive strategy in sustainability and social responsibility.
Prince Saud added: “It is the valuable and sincere efforts made by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to revive the Souk Okaz heritage and return it to its natural position in the Arab culture revealing but a small part of the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia.”
The festival has received a broad global and regional attention of cultural and media organizations, and attracted large numbers of visitors from various groups interested in culture, poetry, literature and heritage from Gulf states and other neighboring countries.
“Culture is an important element in our lives, and its impact reflects on our future. Whoever does not have a past will not have a future,” said Prince Saud.
Al-Mady said: “Souk Okaz has become one of the most prominent Saudi cultural events and a literary heritage whose effects have extended both regionally and globally.”
He said Souk Okaz clearly reflects the development of the Kingdom’s economic, commercial, industrial and cultural areas.
“We, in SABIC, have been able to implement our strategy of social responsibility making SABIC an active and supportive partner in various social, economic and cultural initiatives and events,” he said.
“Therefore, we always strive to seize the opportunities that allow us to strengthen relationships with our partners through the sharing of our knowledge, expertise and experiences in all areas of sustainability and social responsibility. To this end, we have strengthened our outreach and support for all social and economic activities in our society, including Souk Okaz, to continue to endeavor to achieve sustainability in our community,” said Al-Mady.
Prince Khaled honored SABIC for participating in and supporting the Souk Okaz festival, which has become one of the major cultural events that reflect the civilized aspect of Saudi Arabia, and a legacy of the Kingdom’s ancient history.
The festival is organized annually through collaboration between the governorate of Makkah region and the ministries of education, higher education and culture and information, as well as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
The seventh Souk Okaz has many activities and events, including the launch of the center and chair of poetry, as well as symposiums involving writers from the Arab countries, exhibitions of fine arts, photography, traditional shows, a march of the cavalry and camel riders, craftsmen and artisans’ shows, and the traditional market.