WASHINGTON: Saudis in the US celebrated the country’s National Day on Saturday with a celebration organized by the Saudi Embassy at the National Building Museum in downtown Washington.
The evening event was opened to the public and was attended by hundreds of people, including Prince Khaled bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington.
The mood was festive and Saudis of all ages and of both sexes displayed their patriotism. Some wore traditional dress, and others joined in singing folk songs performed by musical groups. There was a marked presence of women and children. Visitors were free to mingle and had access to the whole venue, which featured a section for children with games, face painting and balloon animals.
This year’s event also highlighted the Kingdom’s cultural diversity. The center of the venue featured performances of traditional dances from various regions of the Kingdom, including Riyadh and Makkah. In another section, all 13 provinces were represented, with displays of food, photos and artifacts. The food featured traditional Saudi dishes such as kabsa, gareesh and marqouq.
Guests were given gift bags that contained a Saudi flag, a pin and a pamphlet chronicling milestones in the history of the Kingdom.
Saudis in US mark National Day with embassy celebration
Saudis in US mark National Day with embassy celebration
Fifth beekeeping season begins at Saudi royal reserve
RAFHA: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority on Sunday launched the fifth annual beekeeping season for 2026 to empower the local community and regulate beekeeping within the reserve.
The launch supports the authority’s goals of biodiversity conservation, sustainable environmental practices, and economic returns for beekeepers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This year’s season includes three main periods linked to spring flowers, acacia, and sidr, with each period’s start date serving as the deadline for participation applications.
The authority urged beekeepers to review the season details and join scheduled virtual meetings to ensure organized participation under the approved regulations.
The beekeeping season also promotes ecotourism by showcasing the reserve’s scenic and pristine environment, reinforcing its status as a unique ecotourism hub.
Covering 91,500 sq. km, the reserve is the Kingdom’s second-largest royal protected area, home to diverse wildlife, plants, and trees, and featuring several ancient historical and heritage sites.
