Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman is expected to open the historic Souk Okaz festival here Wednesday (June 27). The festivities, which will continue until July 13, will attract a large number of Saudis and expatriates as well as foreign tourists.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has completed arrangements for the festival with the support of public and private organizations and agencies. The two-week event will witness more than 150 programs and activities.

Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of SCTNH, said the Souk Okaz project has received tremendous support from King Salman considering its historic importance.

“It’s an outstanding landmark for the Kingdom’s cultural heritage,” the prince said in statements carried by Al-Riyadh Arabic daily on Monday. “Our country has a great history and civilization and Souk Okaz is a marvelous evidence for this claim,” he added.

He described Souk Okaz festival as an important national occasion that reminds Saudis about their history and civilization. “It connects us with the history of Saudi Arabia and Islam and leads us to one of the factors that contributed to the Kingdom’s economic prosperity.”

Prince Sultan added: “The main objective of celebrating Souk Okaz is to highlight its cultural and civilizational dimension.” He commended Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also an adviser to King Salman, for his support to the Souk Okaz project.

According to Hussam Bin Zaman, president of Taif University, Souk Okaz would attract more than two million visitors every year and contribute SR9 billion to the gross domestic product and create 12,000 new job opportunities for Saudis.

This old market, which has been developed by SCTNH, includes places for more than 30 cultural and heritage activities. Tents and buildings made of stone and wood have been readied for the festival. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal Theater is located in the main building.

There is an open theater for folklore arts in addition to shops that sell handicrafts, art works and gifts as well as restaurants, equestrian race course and a media center.

Speaking about new programs this year, a SCTNH official said they include presentation of stories from the lives of Okaz poets such as Emrul Qais, Antara Bin Shaddad, Zuhair Bin Abisalma, Omar Bin Kulthoum, Tarafa Bin Al-Abd, Al-Aashi and Qais Bin Saeda.

Exhibitions of historical markets and Arab auctions as well as shows of Syrian and Yemeni caravans, an equestrian school for children and presentations of poets sitting on camels are other attractions. An interactive presentation for children and activities related to Muallaqat poems will also be held.

Exhibitions of Arab paintings and historic pictures will also be organized. There will be a separate tent for Arabic calligraphy, an exhibition for Okaz colors, a cultural tent and a museum of antiquities.

The importance of the Souk Okaz lies in the fact that the location was an unique historical and artistic forum, where intellectuals and people concerned with literature and culture gathered and displayed their art in the remote ancient past.

Visitors can learn the cultural value of Souk Okaz through seminars and lectures that take into account the glorious original Arab heritage. Each version of the Souk Okaz celebrates one of the Muallaqat poets to emphasize their connection to the country's heritage.

SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE