JEDDAH: Sunday marked the end of Europe’s first International Festival for Camels, which was held over two days in Janvry, on the outskirts of Paris.

The festival was held under the patronage of the International Camel Organization, which is chaired by the president of the Camel Club, Fahad bin Falah bin Hethlen, in cooperation with the French government.

It kicked off last Saturday in the presence of Janvry’s mayor, a representative of the French Chamber of Commerce, the president of the French Federation of Camels, the secretary-general of the International Camel Organization Dr. Mubarak Al-Swilim, and the Camel Club’s CEO Khaled Abu Hmeid.

The activities ranged from a scientific forum to review the latest research on camels to an introduction to the culture of camels. 

The organization’s efforts would not have been successful without the support of King Salman and the guidance and support of the crown prince and the general supervisor of the Camel Club.

Fahad bin Falah bin Hethlen, president of the Camel Club

It included an exhibition of camel products, camel shows for the public and a European camel race.

Bin Hethlen said that the sponsorship and presence of the International Camel Organization in Europe’s first International Festival for Camels is part of the organization’s efforts to promote camel culture and activities in the world.

He added: “This is a continuation of what was done during the Central Asian Conference, which we organized last August in Kyrgyzstan. There are more international initiatives that will be announced soon.”

He ended by saying that the organization’s efforts would not have been successful without the support of King Salman and the guidance and support of the crown prince and the general supervisor of the Camel Club.

The organization is sponsored by Saudi Arabia, which is its headquarters.