The 28th National Festival for Heritage and Culture at Al-Janadriyah showcasing the cultures and traditions of Saudi Arabia will open Wednesday, April 3, the Saudi Gazette reports. The festival is a display of Saudi culture and tradition.
China is a guest country at the celebration, and will have a pavilion that is 2.000 sq. meters “at the heart of the festival village,” according to the Saudi Gazette.
The Jenadriyah Festival will begin April 3rd 2013 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Photo artwork via SUSTG.
“A large number of activities have been lined up at the festival. They include folk dances, traditional songs, handicrafts, exhibitions of artifacts and lectures, training sessions, plays and awareness campaigns.”
The festival also features as many as 2,000 Arabian Camels and riders to compete in 10 races during the Festival, according to the website Arriyadh.com. “One or two races are held each day for about a week. Saudi Arabia as governed by the Shari’a law does not permit any kind of gambling, so there are no betting booths in the stadium. Between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators usually attend the races.”
As the blogger American Bedu wrote last year, “The Janadriyah festival is one of the best means for anyone – whether an expatriate or a Saudi – to experience the traditions and customs of each province within Saudi Arabia. The event showcases the National Unity within the Kingdom and its unique regions.”
Another blog, Blue Abaya, shares some excellent photographs from the festival in 2011.
