Festival spotlights Jeddah’s rich heritage

The 10-day Jeddah Heritage Festival has opened in Balad with colorful Hijazi dances, theater performances, folk songs, and artists providing talks on the city’s history going back 2,600 years.
Saleh Kamel, president of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said the JCCI would invest SR100 million in small and medium enterprises in the area.
Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah and Prince Sultan bin Salman, head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), launched the event on Thursday.
Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras, Saleh Kamel and several princes and dignitaries were also present.
The SCTA and the JCCI organized the event with the support of Prince Mishaal.
They mayor said there are also plans to improve traffic and pedestrian safety in the region and to develop several museums.
Abdulillah Jaddah and singer Mohammed Al-Hadad were among the artists who entertained the guests.
Abdul Samad Mohammed Abdul Samad, caretaker of Hai Al-Yemen and Hai Al-Bahar of Balad, welcomed the guests and outlined the history of Jeddah, its culture, landmarks and districts.
Top businessman Abdullah bin Ahmed Yousif Zainal spoke about the area’s businesses and links with other regions in the Kingdom.
He said King Abdulaziz, the Kingdom’s founder, stayed in Bait Naseef for 10 years.
He said it was important for property owners to help renovate and maintain buildings in the area.
Abu Ras said the municipality has almost completed 10 projects started two years ago to preserve and develop the heritage of the region. It signed a further four new projects last month.
He said nine projects involved the electronic authentication and storage of documents, and the establishment of a specialized department for urban heritage projects at the municipality.
He said the SCTA hopes to have the area included on the World Heritage List of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Abdullah Al-Amri, executive director of the SCTA in Makkah region, said the main aim of the festival was to help visitors discover the history of Jeddah.