From Ardah to Samri: Diriyah festivities bring Saudi culture to life

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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
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Updated 11 April 2024
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From Ardah to Samri: Diriyah festivities bring Saudi culture to life

  • Festivities are set to take place across various locations, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the premium culinary destination of Bujairi Terrace, and Diriyah mosques
  • Festivities will feature a series of events, including captivating performances of the Saudi Ardah, the traditional celebratory dance, and the lively Samri folklore dance

RIYADH: The historic town of Diriyah has been transformed into a festive wonderland as the Diriyah Gate Development Authority has revealed an exciting lineup of events and activities for residents and visitors to celebrate this year’s Eid Al-Fitr.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, festivities are set to take place across various locations, including the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the premium culinary destination of Bujairi Terrace, and Diriyah mosques.

The Eid Al-Fitr celebrations at At-Turaif will embody traditional Saudi hospitality. Visitors will be greeted with the rich aroma of Saudi coffee and dokhon, promising an unforgettable experience.

The festivities will feature a series of events, including captivating performances of the Saudi Ardah, the traditional celebratory dance, and the lively Samri folklore dance, the SPA reported.

In addition to activating the Nuzul experience, it transports visitors back in time to immerse them in the daily life of At-Turaif during the First Saudi State.

Through a series of theatrical performances, guests get a glimpse of life as it was 300 years ago. Each mudbrick house along Nuzul Street represents a different aspect of that era, inviting visitors to step inside and experience history like never before.

From shopping in the souq to schooling and visiting the doctor, the Nuzul experience offers a unique opportunity to engage with the past in a truly immersive way.

Visitors can partake in activities such as the purebred Arabian horse show, the Diriyah coffee workshop, and calligraphy stalls offering beautifully written Arabic names.

The DGDA decorated five mosques across the city to elevate the festive spirit for the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations. These mosques hosted special breakfast tables on the first day of Eid, creating a warm and welcoming environment for everyone.

The Huwamah event also featured several buses touring Diriyah’s neighborhoods in the evening, allowing families and visitors to partake in the Eid activities.

Nearly 25,000 gifts, including chocolate boxes, were distributed at various sites, adding to the festivities, the SPA stated.

Souq Al-Mawsim also welcomed visitors for the first time during Eid Al-Fitr, offering a range of exciting activities.

Visitors to Bujairi Terrace were able to indulge in a variety of activities, including live music performances, engaging storytelling sessions, curated workshops for children, and a range of traditional games and activities.

The authority remains committed to fostering strong connections with the local Diriyah community, extending a heartfelt welcome to residents and visitors on all occasions throughout the year.


Riyadh forum to discuss AI impact on education, jobs

The conference aims to redefine work and human capacity building to meet future labor market demands. (SPA)
Updated 12 January 2026
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Riyadh forum to discuss AI impact on education, jobs

  • The exhibition will give young people direct access to educational, training, career, and technological opportunities while enabling them to learn from leading local and international experiences to shape their future careers

RIYADH: Experts from more than 50 international and local organizations in education, employment, and artificial intelligence will gather in Riyadh from Jan. 28-29 for the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building to explore the future of education during rapid AI advances.

Discussions will examine how AI is transforming work, its implications for current and future generations, and the new opportunities it creates, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority, the conference aims to redefine work and human capacity building to meet future labor market demands.

Participants will present practical solutions for empowering young people with AI skills, integrating AI into education, and aligning learning outcomes with the most in-demand future skills locally and globally.

By addressing AI’s evolving impact on the job market, the conference offers academics, AI and data professionals, policymakers, and students a platform to exchange insights and explore the latest innovations for societal benefit and national development.

An accompanying exhibition will highlight cutting-edge educational and digital transformation solutions from public and private sector organizations.

The exhibition will give young people direct access to educational, training, career, and technological opportunities while enabling them to learn from leading local and international experiences to shape their future careers.