Saudi Falcons Club is preparing to organize one of the biggest falconry events in the Kingdom — the first edition of King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival — from Jan. 25 to Feb. 3 in Riyadh. In addition to local participants and falconers, guests from the Gulf and falcon enthusiasts from around the world will gather in the festival that will include Al-Melwah Da'ao 400 meters and Mazayen beautification competitions, visits to the falcon museum, luxurious residence camps and a special theater. Additionally, many heritage events will be organized that are suitable for all family members on the sidelines of the festival, reflecting renewed interest in reviving the deep-rooted Saudi heritage, of which falcons are a distinctive part. The festival area will include race fields that are designed according to international requirements and standards. The SFC aims at organizing an event of all-inclusive services and providing all requirements and needs to guests from public facilities to support services such as parking and restaurants. There will also be multilingual guidance points for guests to enable them to easily identify the facilities and events. The museum will show the history of falcons in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf with the latest interactive media. It will consist of five main sections that will define falcons and their history in Arab and world cultural heritage, in addition to explaining falcon training and hunting techniques. The museum will also include a contemporary art exhibition on falcon hunting and breeding in the Arabian Peninsula in ancient times, and the development of this hobby in modern times. Guests will be able to see many of the festival events as the exhibition will offer them a cultural village inspired by the shape of the city of Riyadh in the fifties of the last century, in which buildings on the narrow and intersecting streets, ending in large areas of the city. Guests and participants will enjoy a variety of activities in the theater that was prepared by the SFC for the heritage and artistic shows. The theater will be established on a large area of about 1,800 sq. meters with a capacity to welcome 1,500 people. All attendees will be able to visit the theater and enjoy the traditional and artistic performances Moreover, the SFC designed a special area for children who represent hope and future of the country, providing them hands-on experience with visual and interactive entertainment activities of falcons and its heritage over a total area of 3,000 square meters. — SG
