According to a statement by Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, deputy commander of the National Guard for executive affairs, France is being given this opportunity by virtue of its long-standing relationship with the Kingdom.
The French pavilion, dubbed “Welcome to France,” is being arranged by the French Embassy in Riyadh in cooperation with a number of French companies based in the Kingdom, such as Saudi Oger, Schneider, Thales, Caesar International, Veolia, Zamil and Gazaoui Law Firm.
An official from the French Embassy in Riyadh said visitors to Janadriya would have an opportunity to discover France and its traditions.
“Walk down a street in Paris, do your shopping at a marche en Provence, play the petanque, watch folk dances, street shows, arts and crafts,” he said.
The king will be present for the 36th camel race at the opening of the festival where cash prizes worth SR1 million will be distributed among the winners.
More than 1,000 contestants from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will take part in the camel race.
The annual festival, sponsored by the National Guard, is being organized by a steering committee headed by Prince Badr.
A balloon carrying the king’s photo and Saudi flag will be launched during the festival. It will fly over a number of countries during its yearlong flight and be flown at several international events.
The balloon is being launched to highlight the king’s call for interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence of nations.
The opening ceremony will include an operetta called “The Unity of Nations”.
Well-known singers Muhammad Abdu, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Rashid Al-Majed, Abbas Ibrahim Majed Al-Muhandes and child artist Khalid Al-Jehan will also take part in a musical program.
Saudi poet Abdullah bin Drees will be honored as personality of the year. The songs are composed by Majid Al-Muhandes and Nasser Al-Saleh.
The Aradha sword dance, one of the festival’s main attractions, will be held on March 23 at Diriya.
Cultural programs will be held in Makkah, Jeddah and Dhahran for the first time outside Riyadh as part of the festival. These programs will focus on cultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence between nations and the obstacles facing them.
New pavilions for the Ministry of Education, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the Youth Welfare Presidency will also be at the festival this year. The new parking area at Janadriya can accommodate 100,000 cars.
