AL-JOUF — Under the support of Al-Jouf Emir Prince Fahd bin Badr, the province's sixth annual olive festival will open on Tuesday evening at the Civilization Center in the town of Sakaka and continue for two weeks. Al-Jouf Municipality is organizing the event. Chairman of the municipality Ajab Bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani said a number of activities would be held during the festival, including an exhibition for productive families and a photo gallery. “There will be a number of cultural and entertainment nights in which various sectors of the society, especially the youth, will participate.” Al-Qahtani described the festival to be the biggest of its kind in the Arab Gulf region and said 40 exhibitors will display their olive products. He said the region has about 14 million olive trees and expected the number to go up to 20 million trees in the next few years. “The Al-Jouf olive oil has become an internationally recognized trademark.” He said the region currently produces about 50,000 tons of olive oil and 80,000 tons of olives. Al-Qahtani said folklore troupes will present shows during the festival and a number of famous people from the Kingdom and the GCC were invited to attend them. “Saudi and Arab poets will read poems in the poetry nights to be held during the festival.” He said 80 productive families will display their products and compete to win the special award dedicated by Princess Sarah bint Abdullah for the most outstanding exhibitors. Al-Qahtani said a number of government departments and non-government organizations will participate in the festival with various exhibitions.
