The Janadriyah cultural and heritage festival opened here Wednesday with a colorful ceremony attended by dignitaries, heads of state, members of the royal family, high-ranking Saudi officials, diplomats, scholars and poets from across the world.

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, launched the 17-day event organized by the National Guard.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, minister of the National Guard, said the festival was important for citizens and would help encourage a sense of religious, national and social unity.

He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for supporting and promoting the event.

Saud Al-Rumi, spokesman for the festival committee, said the event was bigger than last year’s and had the UAE as its main guest. “It is expected to draw between five to eight million visitors from the Kingdom and abroad this year,” said Al-Rumi.

Abdulmohsen bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijiri, deputy minister of the National Guard, said the event “celebrates Saudi identity by showcasing the arts, sword dancing, various symposiums, poetry and cuisine.”

The prominent guests included Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Bahraini crown prince; Sheikh Hamid bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the Court of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince; Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar; and Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, chief of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities; Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman; Prince Mohammed bin Salman, president of the crown prince’s court and advisor to the crown prince were also present.

There were about 50 ambassadors and other foreign dignitaries present including Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and Moroccan Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad.

In keeping with tradition, this year’s event started with a camel race in which hundreds of participants competed over a distance of 20 kilometers. The winners were awarded cash prizes and cars. The national anthem of Saudi Arabia was also played.

“From tomorrow, visitors will be able to enjoy sword dancing, poetry, music and crafts such as carpet-weaving, pottery, costume-making and local cuisine,” said a festival committee member.

Belgian Ambassador Marc Vinck was impressed with the festival opening and said it was the ideal place for families.

Faisal Al-Otaibi, a businessman, said: “The festival is an integral part of King Abdullah’s efforts to nurture Saudi national identity. It brings us back to the simple things, and unites us as Saudis.”

The late King Fahd started the festival in 1985.