RIYADH/JEDDAH, 5 November 2005 — Spectacular fireworks, captivating folklore dances, orchestras led by well-known singers and other recreational programs marked Eid festivities across Saudi Arabia yesterday.
Authorities in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha and other cities have lined up a variety of entertainment programs throughout the Eid Al-Fitr holidays.
In Riyadh, firework displays illuminated the city’s skyline in rainbow colors, while many people went to dance and sing on the rhythm of folk bands. Prince Sattam, deputy governor of Riyadh region, also took part in a sword dance with a troupe of young men and children.
The highlight of the celebrations were the fireworks, which turned the whole city into a wonderland of light and color. It produced a fantastic variety of enormous glittering patterns in the night sky. Up to 150 were loosed off at one time. Commonly used fireworks especially huge fountains, aerial bomb-bursts, sparklers and cones produced spectacular visual effects, much to the joy of the crowds.
The city wore a festive look. A huge length of electric cabling and over 100,000 light bulbs were used to decorate the city. “The illuminations represent the joy and wonder that are always part of the Eid celebrations and reflect the rich diversity of entertainment activities on offer,” said a technician working with the Riyadh Development Authority.
“With hundreds of trees and street poles all lit up for the occasion, no one visiting the capital for Eid will miss its unique character of celebrations,” said Ayesha Parvez, a housewife visiting the city with her husband.
One of the many shows includes a daredevil car and motorbike show held in a makeshift camp on the eastern ring road. “One can see a man driving a motorbike on a 60 degree slanting surface or another jumping through a ring of daggers and fires,” said Shahid Ashraf Khan, who went to see the exciting stunts.
In Jeddah, the festivities started with an opera led by well-known Saudi singer Muhammad Abdu with the accompaniment of folk dances.
Five locations in the city have been identified for firework displays, according to Prince Faisal ibn Abdul Majeed, chairman of the festival’s executive committee.
Thousands of Saudi and expatriate families converged on the Corniche to watch the fireworks causing traffic jams in many places last night and the night before. “In fact, cars were moving bumper-to-bumper along all roads leading to the Corniche,” a Saudi driver said.
“We set out an hour before midnight and took three hours to reach the Corniche,” said Abdul Karim Hashim, a Saudi IT professional. He said he was against the idea of going to the Corniche because of the expected rush but had to yield to the wishes of his two daughters who wanted to watch the fireworks.
In most parts of the Corniche, families occupied vintage points along the long stretch of the beach enjoying the fireworks. Children were seen playing with their toys and their parents savoring snacks and drinks that they had brought along.
Amusement and recreation spots along the Corniche were also full of families with their young ones enjoying various rides.
There have been no reports of any ugly incidents during the celebrations so far except power outages in parts of both Riyadh and Jeddah.
