Various government agencies and several private sector companies are preparing to celebrate the Saudi National Day in a big way. A host of cultural and traditional activities have been scheduled at different places in the capital and elsewhere in the Kingdom, said Abdurrahman Al-Jassas, Executive Director, Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) for Riyadh, Supreme Commission of Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). He said a High Committee for the Celebrations of the Saudi National Day meeting under the chairmanship of Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Ayyaf Al-Miqrin, Mayor of Riyadh, decided three-day celebrations starting Thursday. Al-Jassas said the celebrations will be organized in close coordination with Riyadh Municipality, SCTA, Ministry of Education, King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, Office of the Riyadh Mayor and a number of private sector companies. “We are preparing to organize the Saudi National Day in a big way that includes cultural shows and traditional folklore dances such as Saudi Ardha by various troupes specially coming from Jizan, Western Region and the Eastern Province. The SCTA, he said, will organize cultural shows in Diriyah, opposite to Prince Salman Square and King Abdul Aziz Palace in Al-Kharj. “The Arabic Tent in Diriyah would showcase various cultural shows,” said Al-Jassas. He said the timings will be from 4 P.M. to 12 midnight starting Thursday, a day before the Saudi National Day on Friday. Special programs will also be held at the National Museum and Musmak Palace. Visitors will be provided with brochures containing history of the Kingdom and Saudi flags, he said. “The National Day celebrations this year have been more elaborate as compared to last year. The festivities will be organized at various locations and by several government agencies and private sector companies that include nine locations by Riyadh Municipality as against only one at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center last year,” he said. __
