The activities of the Second Souq Okaz Cultural Festival here have evoked a mixed response from visitors with many of them attracted to the old pictures on display. Many visitors agreed that these pictures were the most interesting things in the whole exhibition, while others with whom Saudi Gazette spoke did not find them all that appealing. Most of the visitors to the Souq are from the summer city itself, with little participation from non-Arabs. It is heartening to note that Saudi youth are manning different sections of the Souq ready to answer any enquiry or question from visitors. The Souq's fine arts (paintings) section displays the artwork of Saudi youth, both male and female. The information center of the Supreme Tourism Commission is distributing pamphlets explaining the various sections at the Souq and their historical backgrounds. For those fond of eating and tasting different cuisines, a stall of traditional foods prepared by Saudi women is the right choice. The Ministry of Health section provides simple medical checkups of blood sugar and blood pressure. The King Abdul Aziz House displays vintage pictures. Abdulla Al-Qarni Abu-Abduall, a Saudi, said he was at the Souq “to see our culture and see the old pictures. They fascinate me.” Kevin Martin, from Colorado in the United States, said, “It is always good to see the old. I enjoyed the photographs, the changes of Taif and Jeddah. It is a big difference. Also, I like the handicrafts and old weapons. The traditional food is delicious. I am eagerly awaiting the camel race.” Al-Jawhara Al-Mohammad, one of the volunteers working for public health education, said she liked the handicrafts section. But she expressed her dismay at not finding the Souq's history. “There is very little about the history of the Souq. Whatever information is available is not adequate,” she lamented. __
