Riyadh Season festival has caught the imaginations of residents of Riyadh as well as adjoining areas as they gathered in huge numbers at Boulevard zone where Riyadh Entertainment Season kicked off last Thursday.
According to General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) more than 1.2 million people, representing about 15 percent of the residents of the capital city which has a population of over 8 million, visited,the Boulevard zone where the biggest show of its kind in the region is being held.
The Boulevard zone, which has an area of more than 400,000 sq. meters, was chosen as a venue for the carnival parade, the biggest in the Middle East, because it has the tallest dancing fountain and three big theaters.
The zone will witness nine various activities for people of all age groups. The theater named after the famous Saudi singer, Mohammed Abdo, has 22,000 seats while Abu Baker Salim Balfaqih theater can accommodate 6,000 spectators and Abu Baker Al-Shidi, the late dramatist, has 2,000 seats.
The zone has more than 50 local and international shops, art theaters, dancing fountain shows and an open movie theater.
Riyadh has been an attraction point for Saudis from all regions and also for citizens from the GCC and other Arab countries.
With the issuance of the electronic tourist visa, the capital city is expected to attract visitors from all parts of the world.
On Thursday at the opening of the season more than 1,500 performers and 25 floats took part in a parade. The crowd that gathered for the fun-packed event were also treated to motorcycle displays, fireworks and other surprises.
The Boulevard lit up at 9 p.m. for the start of the 90-minute event, which featured some of the international artists who will perform as part of Riyadh Season. Afterwards, the zone’s food and drink outlets, outdoor cinema and fountain shows officially opened.
The audience watched the parade, performances and displays from specially constructed stands. Food trucks offered a selection of tasty snacks, and organizers also provided prayer rooms, toilets, first-aid stations and other facilities.
According to official sources, Riyadh residents and people from other areas and the GCC countries visited the Boulevard zone in just 24 hours from Thursday evening to Friday evening.
Sources close to the celebrations said the huge number of visitors this was a clear indication of the success of the season which shows the desire of the Saudis and residents alike for entertainment in its various forms.
They also said the success of the season will give the General Authority for Entertainment (GAE) a carte blanch to provide other entertainment options which have been absent from Riyadh.
The staff in charge of the organization have picked up the slogan “Imagine” to this unique gathering which was full of surprises.
The parade is just one of more than 100 events featuring local, regional and international performers taking part during the Riyadh Season festival, which continues until mid-December at 12 zones across the city: the Boulevard; the Front; Riyadh Car Show; Winter Wonderland; Riyadh Stadiums; the Diplomatic Quarter; Al-Muraba’a; Al-Malaz; Wadi Namar; Nabd Al-Riyadh; Riyadh Safari; and Riyadh Sahara. It has been organized with the support of Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of Riyadh Season.
The ambitious 2019 Saudi Seasons initiative, the first of its kind in the region, was launched in February and includes 11 local seasons covering most parts of the Kingdom. Designed to promote the fledgling Saudi entertainment sector and boost tourism, it is attracting some of the biggest names in world entertainment.
The Riyadh parade is thought to be the biggest parade in Kingdom to date. It follows a folklore parade at the Mawtni (My Nation) cultural event in Yanbu to mark Saudi National Day this year, and a parade during the Jeddah Season festivities in the city’s Obhur district.
The parade had a special surprise; special appearance of DJ Carnage who took to the stage dressed in complete Saudi attire and performed his successful electronic show.
On the Riyadh Season inauguration night, the most magnificent fireworks show was launched from several locations, so that they could be seen all over the capital.
The General Entertainment Authority expects huge increase in number of visitors to the Season festival. Weather is changing and more visitors from adjoining cities as well as neighboring GCC states are expected to visit the celebrations.
Authorities say that the new visit visa regulation coupled with several reformist policies has given an impetus to entertainment activities in the Kingdom and gave a big push to tourism.
SOURCE : ALBILAD
