The Riyadh Region Secretariat celebrated Founding Day with events held at 61 locations across the city of Riyadh and the region’s provinces, as part of its efforts to promote the region’s engagement with national events and occasions, as well as to strengthen social cohesion and foster a spirit of belonging and unity among members of the community.
This year marks the first time that national events are being held at 12 locations near the offices of the two newly inaugurated “Madinaty” centers, which serve as the primary point of contact with the community and beneficiaries in the capital, Riyadh, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in a number of public parks and gardens.
Riyadh Oases, an initiative of the Riyadh Municipality, hosted a series of accompanying events at Al-Tahlia Oasis’s “Foodsphere” and Al-Taawon Oasis’s "House of Culture," including national performances presented on the Founding Stage, alongside an interactive zone that tells the story of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a comprehensive journey through time, showcasing examples of the experiences and sacrifices of our forefathers over nearly three centuries.
The Riyadh Municipality, represented by its affiliated municipalities in the provinces and centers within the region, visitors at nearly 50 sites featuring various events in public parks and gardens, such as a variety of festive activities presented by the Founding Theater, as well as hospitality areas offering dates and Saudi coffee in a design themed for Founding Day, embodying Saudi hospitality within a unified visual theme.
These efforts are an extension of the Riyadh Municipality’s initiatives to promote sustainable urban development, enhance the user experience, and improve the quality of life in the city, in line with its vision of becoming a leading municipality for a prosperous and sustainable Riyadh that elevates the quality of life.
Al-Dir’iya Celebrates National Day
This year, Al-Dir’iya celebrated National Day under the slogan “Its Foundation Is Goodness,” affirming the importance of generosity as a deeply rooted value in its history, as the slogan reflects Diriyah’s approach to establishing generosity as a fundamental pillar of the state’s foundation alongside security and unity, thereby reinforcing the principles of generosity and goodness as a constant element in the Kingdom’s journey since its inception.
As part of this occasion, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority announced a diverse calendar of events and unique experiences designed to enable visitors to embark on a unique journey between the past and the present, while providing an opportunity to learn about the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The events took place in various neighborhoods of historic Diriyah, where visitors enjoyed a variety of experiences across several areas, including the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood, the Samhan neighborhood, the Al-Dhuwayhara neighborhood, and the Al-Tawala“ area.
The events included a series of diverse sessions, such as the ”Samra,“ which features storytelling sessions led by an expert narrator. During these sessions, the narrator reviews key milestones in the history of the First Saudi State up to the present day, within an educational framework aimed at introducing visitors to the Kingdom’s historical legacy and strengthening their connection to it. Additionally, the ”Masayan“ program features academic sessions addressing topics related to Dir’iyah and the expansion of the First Saudi State, from a scholarly perspective aimed at deepening historical understanding and highlighting the political and social dimensions of the founding era, in addition to ”Al-Madad Sessions," which feature cultural sessions on the founding era in Diriyah, hosted by experts specializing in the history of the First Saudi State, and the "Ataa Al-Aman" program, which holds educational sessions on the defensive tactics that originated during the founding era in Diriyah.
A specialized guided tour will be held on National Foundation Day as part of the events taking place in the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood, presented through two historical trails that highlight the roles of leadership and community partnership during the founding era, through a narrative tailored specifically for each trail, thereby enhancing visitors" understanding of the concepts of nation-building and stability in the early days of the state.
Al-Turaif’s streets and squares are decked out in green
The streets, squares, public facilities, and government departments in Al-Turaif Governorate have also been decorated in green and with flags, along with messages of loyalty, devotion, and belonging to this beloved homeland on the occasion of National Day. Green banners bearing the Shahada fluttered throughout the governorate in celebration and joy, and numerous billboards and signs were erected to embody and express this national occasion.
The feelings of joy and happiness that filled the hearts of citizens—men, women, and children alike—on this occasion, which is dear to everyone, were evident.
(1,500) flags in Taif Province
In Taif Province, the streets and squares were adorned with national flags, and public spaces and municipal facilities were illuminated with decorative elements reflecting feelings of pride and honor on this national occasion.
The celebrations included the installation of more than (1,500) flags along major roads and in public squares, the installation of more than (100,000) linear meters of decorative lighting on key roads, intersections, and provincial entrances, as well as the installation of signs bearing the National Day logo, and the activation of architectural lighting on a number of prominent buildings and squares, thereby enhancing the aesthetic appeal and visual identity of the occasion.
Through these preparations, the Secretariat aims to highlight the historical significance of National Day, strengthen feelings of national belonging, and evoke the historical depth of the Saudi state, in light of the security, stability, and sustainable development enjoyed by the Kingdom.
Comprehensive Program in Jeddah to Celebrate National Foundation Day
The Jeddah Municipality has approved a comprehensive program to celebrate National Foundation Day, spanning several days and including the decoration of main roads, squares, gateways, and parks throughout the city.
The program includes installing decorative flags along key thoroughfares, as well as lighting displays and installations reflecting the theme of National Day, as well as decorating Jeddah’s gateways and using screens and billboards to broadcast congratulatory messages, thereby enhancing the visual identity of the occasion.
The targeted locations include a number of squares, main streets, the Corniche, and city gates, according to an approved schedule for decoration and installation work, Prince Majid Park will also host outdoor events on February 22, featuring falconry, horseback riding, and handicrafts booths, as well as activities for children, drawing, and henna.
The Municipality was keen to create a program that reflects the historical significance of National Day and reinforces pride in national identity, emphasizing the use of its artistic and operational capabilities to present Jeddah in a festive manner befitting the occasion.
23 National Events in Tabuk
Meanwhile, the Tabuk Regional Municipality organized 23 national, cultural, and heritage events in the region’s cities and governorates, with the participation of government and private entities, with the aim of highlighting the historical significance of the occasion and reinforcing the values of belonging and pride in national identity.
The Municipality explained that it carried out decorative work in streets, squares, and key locations by installing over 15,000 linear meters of lighting, activated 24 electronic screens to display congratulatory messages and the visual identity of the occasion, and prepared parks and public facilities to welcome residents and visitors, while strengthening organizational and service aspects to ensure an appropriate festive atmosphere.
Buildings and facilities in Al-Baha are decked out in green
In Al-Baha, government buildings and public and private facilities have been decked out in green; in celebration of National Day, in a patriotic display reflecting feelings of pride and honor in the 299-year history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The main facades of government agencies, public squares, and major roads have been adorned with decorative lighting, national flags, and slogans specific to the occasion, as part of the comprehensive celebrations taking place across the region; affirming pride in the deep-rooted heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and evoking the values of unity, stability, and empowerment upon which it was founded.
The Hail Region is also celebrating
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Hail Region, presided over the events organized by the General Directorate of Education in the Hail Region to commemorate Founding Day, held at the historic Al-Qashla Palace in the city of Hail, in the presence of the region’s Director General of Education, Omar bin Hajjad Al-Ghamdi, and a number of educational and pedagogical leaders.
Upon his arrival, His Highness toured the various sections of the building and reviewed the accompanying events and programs, which ranged from educational and cultural to patriotic activities that evoked the history of the First Saudi State, and showcased its rich cultural depth and enduring legacy. The event also honored a number of partners in recognition of their contributions to its success.
His Highness also visited the handicrafts exhibition, which highlighted the region’s folk heritage, and the vintage car exhibition, as well as the "Narrator of the Founding" corner, which presented a documented narrative of the most significant events of that historical period in an interactive style designed to enhance young people’s awareness of their nation’s history.
Green Flags and Colors Adorn the Northern Border
In the Northern Border Region, the cities and provinces of the Northern Border Region took on a distinctive national character in conjunction with the celebration of Founding Day, as streets and squares were adorned with green flags and banners bearing slogans for the occasion.
Cities across the region featured the visual identity of Founding Day alongside patriotic slogans expressing pride in the three-century history of the Saudi state and embodying the values of pride, belonging, and loyalty to the wise leadership.
This celebration serves to reinforce the values of national belonging and cement the spirit of unity and solidarity among the nation’s citizens, ensuring that this occasion remains a historic milestone that evokes the glories of the past and affirms the continued march toward development and prosperity.
The building of the Al-Qassim Region Emirate was illuminated in green to celebrate the anniversary of the Founding Day, in a scene reflecting pride in the historical roots of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and embodying feelings of pride and belonging on this cherished national occasion.
This serves as a reaffirmation of the historical depth of National Day, which spans 299 years since the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud —may God have mercy on him—and the firm principles of unity, stability, and state-building upon which it was founded, leading to the security, stability, and prosperity the Kingdom enjoys today under its wise leadership.
