Souk Okaz set to feature over 100 different events

By Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Under “After Umra Trips” program, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) will organize 40 trips targeting 10 Asian, European and American groups, benefiting 2,200 tourists, with the participation of 50 tour guides and 8 tour operators, according to the organizing committee of Souk Okaz.

This year through the "Live Saudi Arabia" program, SCTNH will also organize 50 trips under the theme “Live Okaz Trips” to benefit 2,500 students from 80 institutions in the provinces of the Kingdom with the participation of 65 tourist guides and 10 tour operators for visits to Taif, Jeddah and Makkah.

The 11th session of Souk Okaz, to begin on July 12, will feature more than 100 different events replicating the identity of Souk Okaz in its cultural and economic heritage and will include many elements reflecting everyday life in the ancient Souk Okaz enabling it to keep up with the growing demands of Saudi citizens and expatriate communities.

The annual event will include historical and cultural events such as offers of Arabic Literature Mu'allaqat, Arabic poetry shows, theatrical arts performances, historical market offerings, offers of early poets of Islam, the language challenge and the miracle of the Qur'an, the knights of the Arabs, offers of Arab auctions and archeological collections, fencing and courageous performances, events of historic and heritage sports, and the events of Taif local community.

This year's Souk Okaz will have 10 cultural symposiums, 5 evening events of Arab standard poetry, 10 cultural workshops, 5 of which are international and 5 national, a calligraphy exhibition displaying the winning works, a fine arts oasis, and carved rock sculptures and Okaz Mu'allaqat.

For photography enthusiasts, an area of 200 sq. meters will display all the tourism destinations shot by photographers’ lenses and in which over 50 photographers will take part. The organizing committee will organize 8 tours for Saudi, GCC and international photographers, as well as a photo poetry contest via social media, and a workshop entitled "Interacting Colors" of amateur collectors with one of the celebrity photography, along with the photos of excursions through Saudi photo library.

“Leave no Trace” program will organize an interactive exhibition that includes applications of the program and program’s ecological camps, and workshops under the theme “Plan for your trip”, “Hiking trips” in addition to “Leave no trace” trips in Taif parks and gardens, in addition to program's contests.

In a step to develop Souk Okaz, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of SCTNH and chairman of the Higher Supervising Committee of Souk Okaz, announced last month that the festival be will transformed into a leading cultural destination around the year.