The UAE is this year’s guest of honor at the 29th Janadriyah festival from Feb. 12 to 28 in Riyadh, organizers have announced.

Saud Al-Rumi, director general of the festival, said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the UAE would add great value to the festival with its pavilion in the heart of the village.

He said the planners had completed all the preparations for the annual event.

The National Guard organizes the event showcasing the country’s cultural heritage.

Prince Miteb bin Abdullah is the head of the National Guard and chairs the festival’s organizing committee.

The organizers have expanded the event this year to allow more government departments including the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Saudi Ports Authority to join the show, Al-Rumi said.

More than 300 local and international participants will attend, he said. The festival will have its customary camel race with over 2,000 contestants from the Kingdom and Gulf states competing for significant cash prizes.

The program includes lectures, seminars, poetry recitals, traditional markets, folk dances, dramas, book shows and painting exhibitions.

The seminars include a Salafi forum and discussions on Islamic political movements and women’s issues.

The festival would honor two Saudi cultural personalities, from Riyadh and Al-Ahsa, Al-Rumi said.

Bachelors can visit the festival until Feb. 16 and families from Feb. 17 to 28. Opening times will be from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight during the week, and until 2 a.m. on weekends.