Seminars at Janadriyah Heritage and Culture Festival, which is scheduled to open on Wednesday, will focus on “Political Islamic Movements,” said Abdul Mohsen Al-Tuwaijri, deputy minister of National Guard and deputy chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the annual event.

“It will be the main topic of discussion at the festival,” he told reporters. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will open the festival that features a camel race and the traditional sword dance.

Asked about the intervention of a group called “Muhtasiboon” during the festival every year, he said: “People can express their views through the right channels. They can come and inform us about their observations.” He said an office has been opened to receive proposals from individuals.

He welcomed the United Arab Emirates as the guest of honor of this year’s festival. “The participation of the UAE, which is well known for his great cultural heritage, will enrich the festivities,” he said. The UAE plans to send more than 200 artists to present various cultural programs.

Al-Tuwaijri said the committee was weighing prospects of establishing a railway system inside Janadriyah for the quick movement of visitors from one pavilion to another. “A study is being conducted on the project.”

Madinah House

The Madinah governorate, meanwhile, has completed its preparations to participate in the annual festival. The provinces’s pavilion at the Janadriyah ground has been named Madinah House, and it will comprise a heritage village representing the rich cultural heritage of the province.

Activities at the Madinah House will also reflect the achievements of Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman.

The house will have greater space for better representation of the region’s heritage than in the past.

An outstanding feature of Madinah House will be the Urban Heritage Panorama highlighting parts of a model ancient house enacting the general lifestyle of the people in ancient times in addition to the cultural, handicraft and folklore presentations.

The house will also be replete with the shouts of salesmen in ancient attire and folk songs playing in the background.