Saudi Gazette

MANY young Saudis are acting in a variety of roles to portray life and society in the Hejazi culture during “Hakaya Misk” under way in Historic Jeddah.

Visitors during the event, which kicked off on the 10th of Ramadan and will run until the 18th, can watch different traditional games that are played by children and elderly men including the caroms and dominoes.

During the walk around the event, the visitor can buy old candies at cheap rates to revive the childhood memories. People also will have the chance to educate themselves and their children about the jobs of the past by watching, for instance, the carpenter doing his work and dealing with his customers.

“Hakaya Misk” is also presenting some of the daily life incidents of the past. Visitors can see what families used to do to their daughters once they memorized the Qur'an. They keep celebrating their achievements by singing while walking from the place of the teacher until they reach their houses.

The aim of the festival is to educate visitors and Jeddah residents about the city's past by giving them a chance to experience what it would have been like to live in in old downtown Jeddah.

The festival also has small shops selling some souvenirs and thobes.

Several houses are open to the public to learn more about families that used to live in Albalad. To know more about those families before entering the houses, the visitors can find guided panels that gives them all the information about the house owners.

The festival is divided into several sections and areas such as the food area, painting and art area, and kids games area.

Some of the activities of “Hakaya Misk” include the “Hakawati” (the storyteller) activity in which several stories will be told in an interesting way attracting the visitors. Interactive art galleries are available to the visitors, too.

Prince Muhammad Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK) is offering educational, cultural, media, and literary programs and activities for Saudi youth aiming to promote awareness and creativity during the event.