RIYADH: Locals who visit Riyadh’s iconic Suwaidi Park in the next few weeks may hardly recognize the site as it undergoes cultural transformation in a grand festival of “Global Harmony.”
This week at Global Harmony celebrates the Levant, with a rich display of cultural performances, handicrafts and food from countries around the region.
Levant week kicked off Tuesday night with a musical bang as circus acts, DJ sets and special musical performances by Lebanese singers Wael Saab and Guy Manoukian wowed audiences.
Egypt week is also continuing until Friday.
The evening also featured a parade of dance and drumming groups dressed in traditional attire, who assisted children and adults on tours around the park.
The bazaar, or “happiness culture” center, played host to vendors selling a mix of traditional and modern handicrafts, many of whom have been in the business for years.
Mahmoud Al-Azwan from Damascus, Syria, has been working on his craft for 40 years, and has lived in Saudi Arabia for the past 16.
“This is all thanks to the authorities here in the Kingdom for bringing all of these Arab countries together under the umbrella of ‘happiness culture.’ It’s really bringing the culture of my nation and our nations together,” he said.
The craftsman’s specialty is traditional Damascene items such as hand-drawn artwork on wood eye and embroidered panels.
Al-Azwan said that each day he showcases his work in spaces of togetherness such as these, he finds a new favorite moment.
“Every day is my favorite day, because every day brings something new,” he added.
“I tell all people and all craftsmen: Whatever you do, excel in it, and God willing he will reward you. Especially here in the Kingdom, they have made great efforts in supporting artists and craftsmen; you can do what you want here.”
Anas Habib from Jordan and his partners work on Jordanian and Palestinian handicrafts such as Palestinian embroidery and Jordanian mosaic and pottery.
Habib has been working in the field for about 15 years, and flew out to Riyadh to take part in the festival.
When the group arrived, they noticed a harmony between cultures, a curiosity to learn from one another and feelings of warmth between strangers, Habib said.
“I hope that all countries follow Saudi Arabia’s footsteps and organize bazaars like these that showcase and teach each other’s identities,” he added.
“Each one of us needs to familiarize ourselves with our brothers from other nations so we can harmonize and get closer together. The more we learn about other cultures, the deeper and more meaningful our relationships are.”
Habib’s favorite moment from the festival has been seeing how much his “Saudi brothers” care about understanding his culture and the cultures of others.
“When you have large groups of people coming up to you asking how you made something or where you got something, you feel the care they have for it,” he said.
This week’s Suwaidi Park visitors will also get to indulge in a wide variety of foods from across the Levant and Arab world.
Ahmed Abd Al-Sagoor, a food vendor from Egypt, is serving everything from shawarma to tabbouleh to kibbeh.
“We all have dishes that we share as well as dishes unique to our own countries that we’re famous for. That’s what makes brings us together,” he said.
Levant week will run until Nov. 25, when Yemen week will begin.
Global Harmony at Suwaidi Park will continue to feature countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Uganda and more until Dec. 27.
