Ramadan in most cities of the Kingdom brings with it a festive mood and Jeddah is no exception. The entire city comes alive after the Taraweeh prayer, a downside of which are jam-packed roads.

Downtown Balad, which was recently declared a historical heritage by the UNESCO has a unique charm in Ramadan. Glittering lights, especially put up during the holy month, enhance the beauty of this area. It is exceptionally crowded in the night when people gather around food stalls to enjoy delicacies such as baleela (chickpeas in traditional style) and kibda (grilled liver).

The area is truly a living cocktail of cultures and traditions. As a site steeped in a rich heritage, it not only offers history but also personifies the harmonic and cosmopolitan culture of Jeddah life.

A stall at Balad’s Gabil Street set up especially for Ramadan and Eid offers a variety of sweets, dates, chocolates, light snacks and also clothes.

Although Balad flourishes every Ramadan, this year the Jeddah Municipality, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), under the support of Makkah Governor Prince Mishal bin Abdullah are organizing special festivals during the month to make the area more attractive for visitors.

Ramadana Kida (Our Ramadan is like this) is a festival launched to give visitors a glimpse of Ramadan of the olden days.

The government is focusing on the development of these important areas, especially after the UNESCO recognition.

Continuing on the heritage theme, another festival called “Moments of Ramadan” features traditional dishes, skills of productive families, folk art and traditional dancing and singing.

Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras opened the festival in the presence of members from the business community and other visitors. He said the event showcases the country’s heritage and culture and helps youth to stay in touch with local traditions.

Festival organizer and director Areej Khaleel said the event helps productive families to contribute to the country’s economy, in addition to supporting domestic and regional tourism and promoting the traditions of ancient Jeddah.

About 100,000 local and foreign visitors have been expected to attend the festival. It reflects the status of tourism as one of the leading industries in Jeddah.

The event comprised several cultural and entertainment programs based on the Hejazi heritage. A souk was created to reflect the traditional style of market, where vendors were seen selling handmade wares and Saudi coffee.

Young boys and girls were dressed in traditional clothes and local women served popular Hejazi desserts. Children were seen enjoying games that must have been played by their parents many decades ago. The whole ambiance makes one feel as though he or she is not living in the 21st century.

Venues such as that of the Hejazi traditional food area are packed with thousands of families that have come to enjoy an evening of good food and pleasant atmosphere. The festival includes many restaurants serving Hejazi food.

Old buildings, monuments, museums and mosques attract visitors due to their old world charm. The four famous districts here include Mazloom, Yemen, Bahar and Sham. Some of the famous mosques here include the Othman bin Affan Mosque, the Mosque of Shafi’i, the Basha Mosque, the Akash Mosque, and the Hanafi Mosque.

Hani Abuljadayel, a festival goer, said the event reminded him of the olden times. “It’s an excellent idea to introduce the new generations to their past and traditions,” he said.

Mohammed Aziz, who was strolling around the area with his two sons, said he thought the days of the bygone era were here with such festivals that brought back the good old memories of Jeddah.

“I always enjoy the distinctive Ramadan atmosphere here in Balad and it is a must visit for me and my family because I can come here to enjoy traditional food, especially kibda and baleela,” he said.

“There’s a lot of history here. You can buy anything from the modern, the traditional, the expensive and the affordable, said Ahmed Jameel, an Indian visitor.

Jaffery Tariq, a Sri Lankan national, said his family enjoys visiting downtown Jeddah to breathe in its history, as well as to buy specific Sri Lankan vegetables that are not available in other areas.

“Though we always visit the area, it’s in Ramadan that it comes alive afresh. This year, especially with all the ongoing festivals, there is more noise, more food, more entertainment and more people,” he said. He and his family visit Balad after breaking the fast and stay around until midnight.

Another visitor, Michel Robinson, a British architect, said this year, the festival has fostered a better spirit since the beginning of Ramadan.

“The area is full of beautiful architecture that can help in constructing modern yet beautiful buildings that are environmental friendly. It’s very interesting to know how in olden days people kept their homes cool when there were no air-conditioners,” he said.

Robinson said that though it was his first visit to Balad, he wants to come again, especially while the festive mood is still in place. “Such festivities are only witnessed in the Kingdom,” he said.

The second part of the festival celebrates Eid under the slogan ‘Edina Kida’ (Our Eid is like this) and is running from Ramadan 24 until Shawwal 4. The event comprised a number of entertainment programs, theater, games and much more.

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