The Riyadh Region Municipality celebrated the founding day with events distributed across 61 locations in Riyadh and the region’s governorates, as part of its efforts to enhance the region’s interaction with national events and occasions, in addition to deepening community bonds and consolidating the spirit of belonging and cohesion among members of society.
This year marks the launch of national events for the first time in 12 locations surrounding the newly inaugurated Madinaty offices, which serve as the first point of contact with the community and beneficiaries in the capital, Riyadh, from 9 pm until 1 am, in a number of parks and public gardens.
Riyadh Oases, one of the initiatives of the Riyadh Region Municipality, hosted a group of accompanying events in the Al-Tahliya Oasis “Foodsphere” and the Cooperation Oasis “House of Culture”, including national performances presented on the Founding Theater, in addition to an interactive area that tells the story of the founding of the Saudi state through an integrated time journey, and showcases examples of the experiences and sacrifices of the ancestors over nearly three centuries.
The Riyadh Municipality, represented by its affiliated municipalities in the governorates and centers within the region, also hosted visitors in approximately 50 locations equipped with various displays of events in parks and public gardens, such as diverse activities with a festive character through the shows presented by the Founding Theater, in addition to hospitality areas that offer dates and Saudi coffee within an identity designed for the Founding Day, which embodies the generosity of Saudi hospitality within a unified visual coordination.
These efforts come as an extension of the Riyadh Region Municipality’s initiatives to promote sustainable urban development, improve the beneficiary experience, and raise the quality of life in the city, in line with its vision towards a leading municipality for a prosperous and sustainable Riyadh that enhances the quality of life.
Diriyah celebrations of the founding day
This year, Diriyah celebrated its founding day under the slogan “Its foundation is good,” affirming the status of giving as a firmly established value in its history. The slogan reflects Diriyah’s approach to establishing generosity as a fundamental pillar of the state’s establishment, alongside security and unity, thus reinforcing the principles of giving and goodness as a constant element in the Kingdom’s journey since its inception.
To mark the occasion, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority announced a diverse calendar of events and unique experiences designed to allow visitors to embark on a journey between the past and present, while also providing an opportunity to learn about the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The events took place in various districts of historic Diriyah, offering visitors a range of experiences across several areas, including the historic Al-Turaif district, the Samhan district, the Al-Dhuwairah district, and the Al-Tawali' area.
The events included a series of diverse sessions, including the “Samra” program, which offers storytelling sessions presented by a specialized narrator, during which he reviews milestones from the history of the First Saudi State up to the present time, in an educational framework aimed at introducing visitors to the historical heritage of the state and strengthening their connection to it. The “Masyan” program also offers academic sessions that address topics related to Diriyah and the expansion of the First Saudi State, from a cognitive perspective aimed at deepening historical understanding and highlighting the political and social dimensions of the founding stage. In addition, there are “Al-Midad Sessions,” which include cultural sessions about the founding era in Diriyah, hosting experts interested in the history of the First Saudi State, and the “Ataa Al-Amn” program, which holds educational sessions about the defensive methods that began in the founding era in Diriyah.
A specialized guided experience is being held on the occasion of the founding day as part of the events held in the historic Al-Turaif district. It is presented through two historical paths that highlight the roles of leadership and community partnership in the founding stage, through a storytelling specially prepared for each path, which enhances visitors’ understanding of the concepts of building and stability in the beginnings of the state.
The streets and squares of Tarif are adorned in green.
The streets, squares, public facilities, and government offices of Tarif Governorate were adorned with green decorations, flags, and expressions of loyalty, devotion, and belonging to this dear nation on the occasion of its founding day. Green banners bearing the declaration of faith fluttered throughout the governorate in celebration, and numerous signs and banners were erected to commemorate and express the significance of this national occasion.
The feelings of joy and happiness that filled the hearts of citizens, both men and women, and children on this occasion that is dear to everyone were observed.
(1500) flags in Taif Governorate
In Taif Governorate, the streets and squares were adorned with national flags, and public sites and municipal facilities were illuminated with aesthetic elements that reflect feelings of pride and honor on this national occasion.
The celebrations included raising more than (1500) flags on main roads and public squares, implementing more than (100) thousand linear meters of decorative lighting on vital roads, intersections and entrances to governorates, in addition to installing signs bearing the identity of the founding day, and activating architectural lighting in a number of prominent buildings and squares, which enhances the aesthetic scene and visual identity of the occasion.
Through these preparations, the Secretariat aims to highlight the historical value of the founding day, enhance feelings of national belonging, and evoke the historical depth of the Saudi state, in light of the security, stability and sustainable development that the Kingdom enjoys.
A comprehensive program in Jeddah to celebrate the founding day
The Jeddah Governorate Secretariat has adopted an integrated program to celebrate the founding day, which extends over several days and includes decorating the main roads, squares, gates and gardens throughout the city.
The program includes installing decorative flags on vital axes, implementing lighting and sculptures bearing the identity of the founding day, in addition to decorating the gates of Jeddah and operating screens and billboards to broadcast congratulatory messages, which enhances the visual identity of the occasion.
The targeted sites include a number of squares, main streets, the Corniche and gates, according to an approved timetable for decoration and installation work. Prince Majid Park will also host field events on February 22, including corners for falcons, horses and handicrafts, in addition to activities for children, drawing and henna.
The Secretariat was keen to create a program that reflects the historical depth of the founding day and enhances the manifestations of pride in the national identity, stressing the harnessing of technical and operational capabilities to show Jeddah in a celebratory manner befitting the occasion.
23 national events in Tabuk
Meanwhile, the Tabuk Region Municipality organized 23 national, cultural and heritage events in the cities and governorates of the region, with the participation of governmental and private entities, with the aim of highlighting the historical depth of the occasion and promoting the values of belonging and pride in the national identity.
The Secretariat explained that it carried out decoration work in the streets, squares and vital sites, by installing lights that exceeded 15,000 linear meters, activating 24 electronic screens to display congratulatory phrases and the visual identity of the occasion, and preparing parks and public facilities to receive residents and visitors, while enhancing organizational and service aspects to ensure a suitable festive atmosphere.
The buildings and facilities of the courtyard are covered in green
In the Al-Baha region, government buildings and public and private facilities were adorned in green to commemorate the anniversary of the Kingdom's founding, in a patriotic display reflecting pride in the 299-year history of the Saudi state. The main facades of government buildings, public squares, and vital roads were decorated with decorative lighting, national flags, and slogans related to the occasion, as part of a comprehensive celebration across the region. This celebration underscored pride in the deep-rooted foundations of the Saudi state and recalled the values of unity, stability, and empowerment upon which it was built.
The Hail region is also celebrating
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Hail Region, sponsored the activities of the General Directorate of Education in Hail Region celebrating the anniversary of the founding day, which was held in the historic Qishla Palace in Hail City, in the presence of the Director General of Education in the region, Omar bin Hajjad Al-Ghamdi, and a number of educational and pedagogical leaders.
Upon his arrival, His Highness toured the building and reviewed the accompanying events and programs, which included educational, cultural and national activities that recalled the history of the first Saudi state and embodied its deep civilization and established heritage, in addition to honoring a number of partners in success in appreciation of their contributions to the success of the event.
His Highness was briefed on the handicrafts exhibition, which highlighted the region’s popular heritage, the heritage car exhibition, in addition to the “Narrator of the Founding” corner, which presented a documented narrative of the most prominent events of the historical period, in an interactive style that contributes to enhancing the awareness of the younger generation of their country’s history.
Flags and green colors adorn the northern borders
In the northern border region, the cities and governorates of the northern border region were adorned with a distinctive national attire in conjunction with the celebration of the founding day, as the streets and squares were decorated with green flags and banners bearing the slogans of the occasion.
The cities of the region witnessed the spread of the visual identity of the founding day, along with national phrases that express pride in the history of the Saudi state that extends for three centuries, and embody the meanings of pride, belonging and loyalty to the wise leadership.
This celebration comes as a reinforcement of the values of national belonging and a consolidation of the meanings of unity and cohesion among the sons of the nation, so that this occasion remains a historical milestone that recalls the glories of the past and confirms the continuation of the path of development and prosperity.
The Emirate building of the Qassim region was adorned in green to celebrate the anniversary of the founding day, in a scene that reflects pride in the historical roots of the Saudi state, and embodies feelings of pride and belonging on this precious national occasion.
This comes as a confirmation of the historical depth that the founding day represents, extending for 299 years since the establishment 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 that it was founded upon, leading to the security, stability and growth that the Kingdom enjoys today under its wise leadership.
