RIYADH: Vivid and green Al-Suwaidi Park in Riyadh is showcasing the culture, food and heritage of Sudan as part of its Sudanese Week celebrations.
As part of one of Riyadh Season’s 15 entertainment zones, Al-Suwaidi Park has transformed into a cultural hub, which each week will celebrate ways of life in different countries, including India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Philippines.
The celebrations aim to expose visitors to different cultures and heritage through an interactive lens.
For Sudanese Week, visitors can try on traditional clothing, such as the comfortable and wearable jalabiya, as well as sample various Sudanese cuisines and delicacies, including the sweet basta, awama and basima dishes — most popular in the Khartoum and Omdurman regions — and savory dishes like kammonia, siryah, fisikh and kimah.
There are also booths at the event selling traditional Sudanese products including winter clothing, incense, perfumes, artisanal handmade and heritage products, nuts and herbs. Those interested can also get their face painted or buy henna tattoos from qualified specialists.
The adventure sub-zone offers a variety of movement games and activities, while the carnival zone is a great place for children to immerse in the various cultures by means of cycling, drawing and other activities.
Interested visitors can also learn more about Sudanese history and heritage as they experience folklore dances performed live by an exclusive band, featuring traditional Sudanese song “Ellilah Billil… Nimshi Shari’ Al Nil.” Saxophone player Ayman Al-Tayeb has also delivered performances on stage.
The Al-Suwaidi Park theater has served as the central hub for showcasing the cultures and traditions of the world, with folk dances as well as musical concerts representing a different country each week.
Activities at Al-Suwaidi Park open to the public daily from 4:00 p.m. to 12 a.m. until Dec. 5, with tickets available through the Riyadh Season website.