Saudi Gazette

Taif — When it came to summarizing hundreds of years of Souk Okaz history in a single dazzling display, young Saudi creative director, writer and producer Sultan Radda was the obvious choice for this year’s opening ceremony.

“The opening ceremony of Souk Okaz 2017 was absolutely incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better night. The journey of creating the work for the opening ceremony has been truly amazing and transforming,” said Sultan.

The ceremony’s creative director who created a special show for the occasion, combining poetry, art, and history of Souk Okaz told Saudi Gazette: “I was happy to be selected by MBC Group for this work with top international directors. My role was important in displaying the Saudi experience on stage. I just wanted to prove that we, as young Saudis, are able to work with complete professionalism.”

Sultan said his role was to produce stage paintings based on the poems of Prince Badr Bin Abdulmohsen. “To be associated with such a big name in poetry is going to be the highlight of my career. I will always cherish this experience,” he added.

More than 200 young people from the country, especially from Taif, took part in the opening ceremony which was praised over by Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

“What I have seen is creativity and a fruitful effort that has reached the level of excellence. What we have seen is a paradigm shift in the course of Okaz. I hope you will continue this trend, because this nation and its people deserve from us the best,” Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said.