National Day events to explore Saudi heritage, civilization

The GAC has organized a wide range of activities in the Kingdom to celebrate the 88th Saudi National Day. (AN photo)
Updated 20 September 2018
Follow

National Day events to explore Saudi heritage, civilization

  • General Authority for Culture (GAC) organizing folk festivals, music concerts, arts exhibitions, during the Kingdom's 88th National Day celebrations

JEDDAH: Poets, authors, artists and folk musicians are gearing up for a host of cultural events organized by the General Authority for Culture (GAC) to mark celebration of the 88th Saudi National Day around the Kingdom.

These activities, in which citizens and residents participate, include folk festivals, poetry evenings, music concerts, arts shows, film events, and interactive activities.

GAC has organized the “Adwaa wa Atyaf” (lights and spectra) event in Riyadh, which includes a range of activities such as falling green balloons, 3D visual shows, horse shows, sand painting shows, and many others.

The Culture Authority celebrates aviation in Riyadh by playing live national music for the passengers. It has also organized an arts exhibition in Riyadh and a pavilion for cultural heritage.

Between Sep. 19 and 27 a variety of cultural events will run in the provinces of Al-Kharj, Al-Majma’ah, Al-Aflaj, and Thadig, including theatrical performances, poetry evenings, poetry recital competitions, children-only events, women-only events, events for the Ensan Organization for orphans, and cultural seminars.

In Jeddah, GAC has organized the “Naghmet Watan,” a traditional Saudi music event, on Sep. 22. It aims to explore the evolution of the Saudi folklore as well as the Kingdom’s civilization and its heritage, cultural and artistic development through folk music concerts performed by emerging young singers.

In Tabuk, cultural events will take place between Sep. 23 and 25. The program includes a poetry evening, a folk night, and a contest for the best poem, picture, tweet, and article.

The “Lilwatan Maw’ed” (the day of the homeland) event will be held in Al-Ahsa between Sep. 23 and 27. It includes a performance of the Saudi traditional Ardha dance, cultural seminars, and a show about the founder of Saudi Arabia, the late King Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

GAC has organized the “Ya Dar Nestahlak” (we deserve our homeland) event to be held in Buraidah on Sep. 24. This event includes performances by a folk arts band, a photography exhibition, theatrical performances, poetry evenings, and cultural seminars.

In Taif on Sep. 25, the Omsiyat Watan or Saudi evening event will be held, accompanied by a lecture about Taif, an art exhibition, and live poetry recitals.

The Laylat Aflam or movie night event is to be held in Jizan. It will feature the national film “Joud,” which discusses the status of the Kingdom in the Islamic world as well as its cultural and heritage status.

GAC has organized the “Qalo Aan Al-Watan” (they said about Saudi) event in Najran for poets and authors. The event also features a documentary film.

In Al-Jawf, the “Ihtifaliyat Watan” to be held between Sep. 23 and 25 will include poetry and writing competition as well as interactive activities for children.


Mulberries — the superfood coloring Al-Ahsa’s markets

Updated 10 sec ago
Follow

Mulberries — the superfood coloring Al-Ahsa’s markets

  • Small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring
  • Season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month

RIYADH: Mulberry season has arrived, adding a bright splash of color to the fruit and vegetable markets in Al-Ahsa governorate.

The small red and black fruits are highly prized, not just for their delicious taste but for the health benefits they bring.

Their season is brief, starting after the chill of winter and lasting around a month. The current harvest is red, but the berries can also be blue or purple. They are sweet when fully mature and have a tart flavor during the earlier stages.

Mulberries enjoy a devoted following among farmers and consumers alike. Prices fluctuate depending on ripeness and size, ranging from SR5 ($1.33) to SR15 ($4) per half kilo, Saudi Press Agency reported.

They are a popular ingredient in cakes and ice cream, or as a decoration for various foods. The juice is enjoyed by many and the berries can be frozen for later consumption.

Dr. Hossam Al-Din Hussein Mahmoud, a professor of fruit science at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa, said various types of mulberries were grown in the region including red, Iranian, Kashmiri and American.

He also talked about ongoing research at the university’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, which aims to document all strains and varieties of fruit found in Al-Ahsa, and discussed the health benefits associated with mulberries.

Classed as a superfood, they are rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also believed to contribute to healthy blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Their high anthocyanin content means they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can lower the risk of some diseases and enhance the immune and digestive systems.

Consumption of mulberries is also linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease risk, lower blood cholesterol, better skin health and heart rate regulation.


Saudi development program teams up with Selah Foundation for water project in Yemen

Updated 17 min 13 sec ago
Follow

Saudi development program teams up with Selah Foundation for water project in Yemen

  • The initiative, in Hadhramaut region, will install solar power stations to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water to 1.7 million people
  • The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen has more than 229 active projects in 8 sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture

RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the Selah Foundation for Development agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on a renewable-energy water-security project in Yemen’s Hadhramaut region, which they said will benefit about 1.7 million people.

The deal was signed by Hassan Al-Attas, the assistant general supervisor of the development program, and Ali Hassan Bashmakh, the foundation’s executive director.

The governor of Hadhramout, Mabkhoot bin Mubarak bin Madhi, attended the signing ceremony and thanked Saudi authorities for the assistance provided to Yemen through the development program. He also expressed gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the employees of the program for their contributions.

Al-Attas said his organization has more than 229 active development projects in Yemen, helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the country. They span eight sectors, including education, health, water, transportation and agriculture.

As part of the project in Hadhramaut, solar power stations will be established in nine areas to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water. Training and capacity building will also be provided to ensure local technicians can operate and maintain the solar equipment.

The development program and the foundation previously partnered with the Arab Gulf Program for Development on other renewable-energy projects to help improve the quality of life of an estimated 62,000 people in five of Yemen’s governorates. And in January, the two organizations launched a water-security project that aims to benefit about 800,000 people in Aden. On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the development program’s projects help meet about 50 percent of water needs, 100 percent in Al-Ghaydah, and 10 percent in Aden.

The Selah Foundation for Development received the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development in 2020 for its continual efforts to enhance water security.

Other officials who attended the signing ceremony on Wednesday included Yemen’s planning and international cooperation minister, Waed Badheeb; the minister of water and environment, Tawfiq Abdulwahed Al-Sharjabi; and Mohammed Al-Jaber, supervisor general of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen.


Saudi FM receives Salvadoran counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his Salvadoran counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco in Riyadh on Wednesday
Updated 01 May 2024
Follow

Saudi FM receives Salvadoran counterpart in Riyadh

  • During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Salvadoran counterpart Alexandra Hill Tinoco in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the reception, the ministers reviewed relations between the Kingdom and El Salvador and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

Various topics of common interest were also discussed during the meeting. 


Saudi center launches pavilion for children during Environment Week

Updated 01 May 2024
Follow

Saudi center launches pavilion for children during Environment Week

  • NCEC’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan Know Your Environment
  • It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution

RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) is hosting an interactive pavilion for children to mark Environment Week 2024, which began last Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The center’s pavilion, in Riyadh’s Granada Square, carries the slogan “Know Your Environment.” It features activities for children promoting environmental preservation and protecting air, water and soil from pollution.

Young visitors are first met with a moving knowledge wall containing several tips placed on hanging cubes, each decorated with a color and information, or a picture.

Children can then move to the memory board to register as honorary members charged with protecting the environment. A part of the pavilion is dedicated to rest and entertainment, including cube puzzles and other games.

The center offers specialized scientific workshops for adults during Environment Week, addressing topics including land degradation.

The Kingdom is set to host COP16 in December this year, enhancing cooperation between the 197 signatory countries of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and searching for ways rehabilitate millions of hectares of degraded land.

The center’s presence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar and Taif aims to boost community awareness of environmental issues through a range of activities and events.


Saudi anti-narcotics authority arrests Filipino national in Eastern Region

Updated 01 May 2024
Follow

Saudi anti-narcotics authority arrests Filipino national in Eastern Region

  • Authorities call on public to report suspicious activities

RIYADH: Saudi anti-narcotics police arrested a Filipino national for selling hashish and methamphetamine in the Eastern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested the man and referred him to the Public Prosecution.
Authorities have called on the public to report suspicious or illegal drug-related activities by calling the number 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and Al-Sharqiyah, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
The Drug Control office of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control can be contacted on the number 995 or via the email address [email protected]