RIYADH, 10 January — The 16th National Culture and Heritage Festival will open at Janadriya village, 45 kilometers north of Riyadh, on Jan. 17, Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah, assistant deputy commander for military affairs of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, announced yesterday.
Addressing a press conference at the National Guard headquarters here, Prince Miteb said the annual cultural event, organized by the National Guard, should attract more than one million visitors this year. The press briefing was also attended by Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Subait, head of the festival's executive committee; Sultan A. Al-Bazie, National Guard's director general for public relations, and Faisal Al-Muammar, in-charge for culture and education.
The National Guard, Prince Miteb said, had invited over 250 dignitaries, senior officials, scholars, poets and dance troupes from abroad including the Gulf states to participate in the festival. Folklore dances by troupes representing the Gulf states and various Saudi regions form the main attractions for visitors.
The National Guard combines its defense role with that of a guardian of the cherished Arab-Islamic ideals of hospitality, chivalry and courage.
Prince Miteb said that the Janadriya festival would remind the younger generations of the culture and the heritage of the Kingdom. "Trapped in modern cultural, social and economic cross-currents, the young generation of Saudi Arabia is under the threat of losing their past and forgetting how their ancestors toiled and suffered to build the new Saudi nation and a prosperous present," he said.
On the highlights of the Janadriya festival, Prince Miteb said the famous Saudi literary figure Abdul Kareem Al-Jehaiban would be honored as "Saudi personality of the year." Al-Jehaiban is a famous writer and researcher of Saudi history, culture and heritage and author of a number of books on Saudi culture and folklore tales.
He said Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, would formally open the festival. Prince Abdullah would also present a medal to Al-Jehaiban during the inaugural session.
Six leading businessmen of the Kingdom, chosen by the Ministry of Commerce, will also be awarded medallions recognizing their contributions to the development of the country. Minister of Commerce Osama Faqeeh will deliver a speech on the occasion.
The inaugural session of the Janadriya festival, according to Prince Miteb, starts with the traditional camel race. A major Islamic symposium will also be organized as part of the festival. The symposium, organized with the support of Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, vice president of the Shoura Council, opens on Jan. 17 at King Faisal Hall (InterCon Hotel), and concludes on Jan. 26.
Prominent among those who will participate in the symposium as moderators or speakers include Prince Turki ibn Muhammad ibn Saud, Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubaib, Dr. Hamoud Al-Badr, secretary-general of the Shoura Council, Rd Ehsan Bohlega, Ali Namlah, Saleh Al-Adl, Turki Sudairi, Osama Al-Baaz, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Jubair, Iyad Madani, Hussain Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah Muhammad Abu Dahas, Ahmad Muhammad Ali and Umar Chabra.
Prince Miteb said that another symposium would be organized exclusively for women at King Abdul Aziz Library auditorium. This five-day symposium, to be inaugurated on Jan. 27, will be attended by Princess Jawhara bint Faisal bint Turki, Princess Jowhara bint Fahd ibn Muhammad, Dr. Munira Eid Abdul Aziz, Dr. Hassa Abdul, Dr. Azza Nasser Al-Rashed, Dr. Afrah Ali Homaidi and Jawaher Abdul Aal.
Asked about other cultural events, the National Guard officials said the recitations by famous poet Mosad Al-Rasheedi would be another attraction of the event. A book exhibition will also be held on the occasion. Three special days have been earmarked for ladies beginning Jan 29 to visit the festival. The visiting hours will be from 3.30 to 7 p.m. The morning hours will be for school students.
