Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The annual Historic Jeddah Festival 3 (Our Ramadan Was Like This) starts on the 3rd of Ramadan and will run for 17 days in the historic Balad district here. Visitors will be captivated by a fusion of fascinating activities, live interaction and entertainment and various traditional activities of Hijazi heritage that brings to life Jeddah's rich heritage, according to organizers. Speaking about this year's program, Abdullah Al Dawi, director of the organizing committee, said, "This year's Ramadan season will have several religious, cultural and traditional platforms distributed over 50 activities across all of the historical area of Balad to provide visitors with an unforgettable and informative experience, starting from June 7." He added, "Events this year will be held in two different locations within the historic area, the first site extends for a distance of 700 meters starts from the gate of the city down to the Shafi'i mosque and then back again to the same point. The path will be adorned with Ramadan lights, which will make visitors from different age groups feel the real atmosphere of Ramadan that prevailed in the region in the era before the demolition of the old walls of the city in 1947." Referring to the other location, Al Dawi said, "This year Ramadan festival will witness for the first time ‘Friday Souq‘ where productive families and young entrepreneurs can display their products under one roof. The Souq is located by Al Juffali Mosque and Abraeen Lake." The festival includes commercial, social, cultural, religious, sport, environment and heritage activities of Hijazi heritage to promote the Kingdom as the house of culture, literature, Arabian and Islamic history, while preserving heritage and the cultural treasures. Al Dawi noted that this year's event is designed to give the impression, from the first glance, of years of remarkable development in the formulation of important dimensions, which are related to the permanence of continuity and diversity. The festival will be open every day from 10 p.m. after Taraweeh prayers until 2 a.m. There are activities for all age groups and all segments of society, which will connect the present to the past. Organizers expect more than 1 million guests and visitors during the 17 days festival. The festival includes commercial, social, cultural, religious, sport, environment and heritage activities of Hijazi heritage to promote the Kingdom as the house of culture, literature, Arabian and Islamic history, while preserving heritage and the cultural treasures.
