JEDDAH: The Tariq Abdulhakim Center Museum in Jeddah is among the cultural institutions celebrating Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day with style.
The three-day celebration is being held under the supervision of the Museums Commission and is offering a rich artistic and cultural experience, highlighting the Kingdom’s heritage and strengthening national identity.
The festivities began with a welcome as visitors were greeted with traditional Saudi coffee, served in four distinct varieties in alignment with Founding Day guidelines.
Tayeb Abdullh Altayeb, director of the Tariq Abdulhakim Center Museum, said: “The idea is to celebrate our nation and its cultural components, which we reflect through the museum’s various offerings. Our main focus is the preservation of Saudi music heritage and performing arts.
“Tariq Abdulhakim himself was a champion of culture, supporting the founding of the military band and winning a UNESCO award for the preservation of Saudi identity. It is fitting that during Founding Day, we highlight his efforts and align our cultural sector with Vision 2030.”
A museum official said: “We want to ensure everyone has access to Saudi Arabia’s cultural aspects, especially during Founding Day. Our mission is to be a low-cost activation center, offering programs for the public and children to educate them about our heritage and traditions.”
Officials noted that the museum also serves as a platform for traditional bands, performers, and schools to showcase their arts, and added that the museum’s spaces are designed to welcome all ages, including people with disabilities.
The celebration’s opening day included an interactive artistic parade and a performing arts workshop, blending craftsmanship with live performances. A standout feature was the traditional fashion walkway organized by Al-Mugasap, a Saudi fashion brand. The display showcased traditional clothing from the Kingdom’s major regions, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and civilization of Saudi Arabia.
Sari Salem Hariri, co-founder and general manager of Al-Mugasap, said: “We curated a selection of traditional garments representing various regions of the Kingdom. These were displayed in special boxes to highlight the beauty and elegance of their designs, adding value to our cultural heritage.”
The event also included various sections dedicated to traditional food and artisanal crafts, as well as interactive games, live musical performances, and a school choir that delivered a stirring performance of national songs, symbolizing the younger generation’s connection to the Kingdom’s heritage.
Traditional performers from across the Kingdom, including a band from Taif, where Tariq Abdulhakim was once a member, also participated.
Khalid Jammali, manager of the band, told Arab News: “This is one of the biggest celebrations in Saudi Arabia. We are here to represent the Najd region, and Tariq Abdulhakim played a major role in creating this heritage. His insights helped elevate the quality and standards of these performances.”
The celebration will conclude with a national heritage concert on Feb. 23, featuring a blend of traditional and modern national songs. This grand finale will bring together artists and creators from various fields, creating a bridge between the past and present while celebrating the Kingdom’s rich history and future vision.
Ghada Shehri, a visitor, said: “The event was not only entertaining but also deeply educational. I dressed my children in traditional Saudi attire, and they were thrilled to see others dressed similarly.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to teach them about our heritage and culture in a fun and engaging way. The traditional fashion walkway was a highlight for us, seeing the different regional clothing styles helped my kids understand the diversity of our Kingdom.”
Another visitor, Salman Mohammed, said: “The museum did an incredible job of showcasing Saudi heritage through music, food, and art. My children were particularly fascinated by the school choir performance. It was heartwarming to see them so engaged and curious about our culture.”
Nawwaf Al-Harbi, owner of Dokhan Ahjar Precious Metals and Gemstones, showcased the art of gemstone polishing, featuring stones sourced from various regions of Saudi Arabia in honor of Founding Day.
“We polish these stones to be set in gold or silver, highlighting the beauty of natural gemstones from Makkah, Madinah, and beyond. Our goal is to introduce people to this traditional craft and we are committed to passing down the skill of handcrafting to as many people as possible,” he said.
Visitors can pre-register via the WeBook platform.
