Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi cities gear up for summer festival mania
Preparations are complete to hold summer festivals in almost all the cities and regions in the Kingdom. Some of these festivals have already been kicked off. This was for the first time Saudi Arabia is geared up to host such festivals targeting the entire section of the society with programs and activities catering to their tastes and interests.
- By Abdul Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
- Published: 15:37 July 11, 2009
Riyadh: Preparations are complete to hold summer festivals in almost all the cities and regions in the Kingdom. Some of these festivals have already been kicked off. This was for the first time Saudi Arabia is geared up to host such festivals targeting the entire section of the society with programs and activities catering to their tastes and interests. Most of these festivals are being hosted by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in cooperation with various government and private agencies as well as with the business community. These festivals feature various activities and cultural events highlighting the rich tradition of Saudi Arabia, its nomadic life, and folklores.
A film festival is the major highlight of the annual Jeddah summer festival, which will begin on July 15. A number of local and international movies will be screened between July 18 and 22 as part of the film festival, which will be held at the King Abdulaziz Cultural Center at Abrug Al Righama, east of the Haramain Expressway. The 35-day event, dubbed Jeddah Ghair (Jeddah Is Different), will commence with a fireworks display in Obhur corniche. Family events will include plays and vintage car shows, handicraft and traditional markets, an Indian circus, traditional food and a photography exhibition about Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh Shopping Festival got a kick-start on July 8. A wide variety of cultural and recreational activities, including acrobatic show are being held as part of the festival. Several major companies are displaying their products at the shopping festival. It is expected that the festivals in Abha and Taif, summer resorts of the Kingdom, would have overwhelming response from the holiday makers and tourists coming from various other regions of the Kingdom as well as from other GCC states. Unlike the past year, there are no musical concerts this time at the Abha Tourism Festival, which began on July 9 in the southern Asir province. The Asir Governor Prince Faisal ibn Khaled recently announced that there will not be any musical concerts as part of this year's Abha Festival or those in the coming years. He disclosed that an operetta composed of national songs and traditional dances would be held during the festival that draws a number of tourists from different parts of the Kingdom and neighboring Gulf countries. Prominent Arab pop singers Muhammad Abdu and Khaled Abdul Rahman attended the music concert held as part of the Abha Festival last year.
On the other hand, Muhammad Abdu will be the main attraction at the Okaz Shopping Festival, which is being held as part of the Taif Summer Festival that began last month. The popular Saudi singer will be joined by other noted pop singers at the musical concert to be held on Tuesday. It is noteworthy that Muhammad Abdu is taking part in a musical event in Taif for the first time after a gap of 40 years.
More than one hundred summer festivals, including Al Baha Summer and Honey Festival, Najran Festival and Hail Heritage Festival, are being held across the Kingdom, and they are well attended by both the locals and outsiders.
Share this article
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
