Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette WITH the start of 10-day mid academic year vacation on Friday, major cities and towns across the Kingdom are witnessing an array of recreational and cultural festivals and activities aimed at providing edutainment for all segments of society. Apart from showcasing the rich heritage and culture of each region, these festivals are also expected to bring about an economic boom with a boost in domestic tourism and seasonal jobs and thus becoming a huge bonanza for the locals. For the first time in the Kingdom’s history, the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah on Friday opened its doors for Saudi women to attend the professional league game between Al-Ahli and Al-Batin clubs. The fifth level of the stadium, also known as the Jewel, was dedicated to women and families. Around 1,200 tickets were sold out in the first few hours after starting registration for a total of 10,000 seats available at Jewel. Families and women fans are expected to attend the Saudi derby match between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad on Saturday at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, which had already opened its doors for women for the first time during the National Day celebrations. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), which is vigorously spearheading the Kingdom’s entertainment reforms, is launching more than 45 recreational events and activities, including cinemas, in as many as 18 cities across the Kingdom. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), in collaboration with its partners, is hosting more than 50 tourism festivals during this season. These include a wide variety of programs and activities in tourism, heritage, cultural, social, environmental, sport and recreational fields. There are also shopping and desert festivals as well as handicraft and agricultural fairs. Jeddah boasts of having a golden feather in the cap of these festivals and cultural fiesta with the opening of the largest ‘Cultural Garden’ at Al-Nawras Square, on the Jeddah Corniche seafront. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Thursday opened the 10-day activities of the garden, which was conducted on the sidelines of the second edition of Makkah Cultural Forum, showcasing 10 diverse cultural activities. The garden’s activities include a science contest, organized by the Ministry of Education, for students of all phases of public education in robotic designing, programming and control to disseminate the culture of robot among students and associating their knowledge in theory with practical. Also on Thursday, four major festivals kicked off in Jeddah. The 6th edition of ‘Haya Jeddah Shopping Festival’ was inaugurated at Red Sea Mall. There are around 150 activities being held as part of the 30-day festival at 70 fun cities, 360 commercial centers and 105 traditional souks spread all over the city. The annual Spring Festival opened at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. The Jeddah Tourism Promotion Council and Society for District Centers organized ‘Our Spring is Sweeter’ Festival, which is meant mainly for productive families. The performance of well-known singer Mohammed Abdu will be a major highlight of the “Kingdom’s Festivals,” to be organized by SCTH in Jeddah. Famous singers Abadi Al-Johar and Rabih Saqr will also be performing in musical concerts. ‘European Recreational Shows’ and international film shows will be held at the extended new Corniche. Jeddah Food Festival and the ongoing Basta Market Festival are also drawing huge number of visitors. In Riyadh, the festivals saw a glittering launch on Thursday with the 4th edition of the Saudi Aviation Forum, organized by the Saudi Aviation Club (SAC) in cooperation with SCTH at Thumamah Airport. The opening ceremony witnessed spectacular air show. In line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 that envisages creation of a vibrant society through providing exciting entertainment options aimed at improving and enriching the life