RIYADH: Saudis, particularly youths, visiting the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) pavilion at Janadriya Village, are keen to know about the latest discoveries in the field of antiquities and the ongoing excavation works across the Kingdom, said Dr. Awadh Al-Zahrani, Director of Museums and in-charge of SCTA Pavilion in the 26th National Festival for Heritage and Culture at Janadriya Village. Al-Zahrani said the SCTA pavilion is receiving huge response from visitors – both Saudis and foreigners. “There is a curiosity among the visitors. They want to know about the latest tourist attractions developed by SCTA and about the progress made in the ongoing excavation works at sites in Al-Oula, Qhima and Jizan among others,” said Al-Zahrani. The visitors would like to know about the opening of more museums in the country, he said adding that there are currently 27 museums located in various cities of the Kingdom. “We are planning to open five new museums in cities such as Al-Ghat, Wadi Dawasir and Quriyat,” he said. The SCTA pavilion has been screening documentary films highlighting the Kingdom's tourism attraction, antiquities and museums. However, major attraction among the visitors is the distribution of documentary films (CDs) on Saudi Araba's history and heritage. Ibrahim Al-Nasir, Incharge of Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) for Riyadh, said about 10,000 CDs are being handed over to enthusiastic visitors on a daily basis. The number of free distribution of CDs that contain information about tourism in Riyadh region will reach in millions by the time Janadriya Festival comes to and end on April 29, he said. “The CDs with information on local tourism and other heritage sites would serve the people, particularly the foreign as a souvenir,” he said. Brochures and booklets both in English and Arabic languages are handed over to the visitors, he said. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, opened the Janadriya Fesetival Wednesday. The SCTA's participation in the national event under the theme “The cultural dimension of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, underscores antiquities and museums in general and promotion of national tourism in particular. The pavilion displays about 13 paintings highlighting the cultural aspects of the Kingdom. The SCTA has taken up several initiatives to highlight the cultural dimension of the Kingdom, and sought to create quantum leap in antiquities, museums and urban heritage development and its preservation. Besides, preserving the entire national cultural heritage by way of development, and rehabilitation is the collective responsibility of every citizen, who should contribute effectively, the official said. The SCTA's participation in Janadriya Festival is also aimed to strengthen the Saudi citizens' sense of belonging to the Kingdom's culture and Islamic heritage. This can be achieved through programs that include rehabilitation and training of national cadres to take responsibility of preserving and developing the cultural heritage of the Kingdom, he said.
