JEDDAH: A large-scale exhibition showcasing major development projects being implemented in Makkah province worth more than SR300 billion has proven to be extremely popular, according to Sami Nawwar, head of the Cultural and Tourism Department at Jeddah Municipality.
Nawwar said the exhibition, which was opened by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah last month, attracted an average of 5,000 visitors during weekends after the addition of a number of cultural shows.
He added that a number of contests relating to the exhibition with cash prizes for winners were also held to stimulate interest.
Nawwar pointed out that the cultural shows are hosted every weekend from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. The shows include music bands that perform traditional Hijazi songs, using authentic musical instruments such as the Daff (hand-held drum) and the Simsimiah (a harp-like instrument).
Dancers performed the Muzmar, a traditional dance with a wooden stick, with Jassees — a solo singer who sings traditional tails with high vocals — entertaining guests.
The exhibition is also scheduled to organize special tours for schools during the weekdays with an average of 1,000 visitors coming each week. The expo will host official visits by members of the chambers of commerce from across the Kingdom in addition to meetings between development companies and contractors concerning development.
Nawwar said on display are various development projects worth SR60 billion and which are expected to generate more than 150,000 jobs for Saudi youths.
He said the current location of the exhibition would be a permanent center for cultural shows and that the upcoming traditional village that the municipality is planning would contain replicas of traditional Saudi architecture, cultural shows and handicrafts.
The exhibition in north Jeddah is being staged in a 115,000 square meter area between Camel Square and Kanz Restaurant in north Obhur. The exhibition will continue for three months.
