The celebrations of Saudi National Day continued in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the slogan "Our Pride is in Our Nature," through programs and events that varied between air and military displays, national parades, folk arts, cultural evenings, and entertainment activities, amidst wide participation from residents and visitors, in scenes that combined pride in national identity with the evocation of cultural heritage and the diversity that characterizes the regions of the Kingdom.
Riyadh: Air and military displays conclude two days of celebrations
The air and military displays accompanying the Saudi National Day celebrations concluded today at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of the capital, after two days that witnessed a large public turnout and the participation of several military and civilian sectors, in a festive scene that combined displays in the sky with interactive events on the exhibition grounds.
Large numbers of visitors arrived early, carrying flags and pictures of the leadership, where they had the opportunity to see the military vehicles and equipment up close and take commemorative photos next to them and with the men of the military sectors, amidst an atmosphere that reflected feelings of pride and honor on this national occasion.
The events began with the playing of the Royal Anthem by the Honor Guard Battalion of the Royal Guard Presidency, with the participation of the Cavalry Company and a procession that included a number of various vehicles, before the air shows continued with the participation of Security Aviation helicopters, «Black Hawk» helicopters belonging to the Ministry of the National Guard, and aircraft from the Land Forces and the Naval Forces.
The displays also featured the participation of «Al Oula Aviation» with a «Leonardo» helicopter, and aircraft from the Saudi Aviation Club carrying signs designed with the National Day identity "Our Pride is in Our Nature", in addition to the participation of a «Boeing 787» aircraft belonging to Riyadh Aviation.
The Saudi Falcons team's performances were among the highlights of the event, as the team presented a series of formations and aerial maneuvers amidst the audience's interaction and applause. These included the "Shield" formation and the "Two Swords and Palm Tree" formation, which embodied the Kingdom's emblem in the sky, and which the team had previously entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest national emblem drawn in the sky.
The team also presented the «Falcon» formation and the «Tuwaiq Mountain Maneuver,» along with the «Double Sword Maneuver,» during which two aircraft face each other at high speeds before separating at the last moment. The demonstrations continued with the «Explosion Maneuver,» during which the team’s seven aircraft take off in different directions and at the same time in front of the display platform, followed by the «Flag Wrap Formation.»
The Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center's two-day event combined air shows with live ground demonstrations, with the participation of military and civilian entities and the public. The air shows will move to Al-Khobar on September 26 and 27, where residents of the Eastern Province are eagerly awaiting the military aircraft displays.
Eastern Province: National events that evoke popular heritage
Cities and governorates in the Eastern Province celebrated Saudi National Day through a variety of national events, with the participation of government and private entities and the attendance of residents and citizens, in an atmosphere characterized by joy, pride and honor.
The celebration programs included national anthems, poetry recitations, theatrical and entertainment performances for children, along with the Saudi Ardah dance and folk performances, reflecting an aspect of the cultural heritage and allowing various segments of society to participate in celebrating the occasion.
Asir: Marches fill Abha in green
The city of Abha and the governorates of the Asir region witnessed national marches and widespread celebratory displays, during which the roads and squares were covered in green, while vehicles were decorated with national flags, pictures of the leadership and national slogans.
Locals and residents participated in vehicle parades through main roads, squares, parks and public sites, carrying flags and chanting national slogans, while families, youth and children participated in similar gatherings and parades, coinciding with the decoration of a number of buildings, facades and roads with lights and formations that carried the national identity.
These scenes reflected the feelings of pride and honor among the people of the region on this occasion, recalling the journey of the unification of the Kingdom and what has been achieved on its land in terms of renaissance and development, in addition to what it is witnessing in terms of developmental projects and transformations.
Najran... streets and squares adorned with flags
The Najran region celebrated Saudi National Day amidst an atmosphere of joy, pride, and honor, while the city of Najran and the region's governorates were adorned with flags and the color green.
The squares, streets and buildings were decorated with lights, paintings, sculptures and national slogans, and parks, gardens and squares were prepared to receive residents and visitors, in scenes in which citizens expressed feelings of belonging, loyalty and pride in the homeland and its leadership and the developmental and civilizational achievements that have been made.
Northern Borders: Three days of events in Arar
The Northern Borders region launched its National Day celebrations, organized by the region's municipality at the Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan Cultural Center in Arar, as part of a three-day national and entertainment program. The events include a main stage, a children's stage, 30 pavilions, a circus area, inflatable games, an operetta, traditional Saudi sword dances, poetry evenings, a documentary film screening, and a walking parade, offering diverse programs for all segments of society.
Jazan... 16 governorates in one national scene
The 16 governorates of the Jazan region and their affiliated centers, with their different terrains, environments, and cultural and social heritage, come together in one national scene on the occasion of Saudi National Day, from the Red Sea islands and coasts to the plains of Tihama, valleys, and mountainous highlands.
The celebrations take many forms, including popular festivities, national performances, performing arts, cultural evenings, art and heritage exhibitions, family programs and children’s events, as well as competitions and community initiatives.
The governorates and centers are decorated with flags and national identity, while the squares, parks and public facilities host programs and events in which residents and visitors participate, recalling the unification journey whose foundations were laid by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud - may God have mercy on him.
The unique character of each governorate is highlighted through its local heritage, customs, folk arts, crafts, and agricultural products, in a way that brings together the cultural and geographical diversity of the region under one national identity, while the events reflect feelings of pride in the homeland and its achievements and aspirations for its future.
Al-Jawf: The traditional sword dance and operetta at the Sakaka celebration
Under the patronage of Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Jawf Region, and in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Hussein bin Mohammed Al Sultan, the Al-Jawf Region Municipality held events at the Prince Abdul-Ilah Cultural Center in Sakaka City to celebrate the region’s Saudi National Day.
The official ceremony included the Saudi Ardah dance, national poems, and a musical operetta, along with accompanying cultural and entertainment programs and events, with the participation of government agencies, productive families, and national talents, who presented activities that highlighted aspects of the cultural heritage and expressed pride in the national identity, amidst the presence of locals and visitors.
Mecca... National poems and a Saudi traditional dance
Under the patronage of Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the region, attended the ceremony held by the region’s emirate on the occasion of Saudi National Day.
The ceremony was attended by a number of princes, members of the diplomatic corps, military sector leaders, directors of government agencies, and a number of the region’s residents. It included poems celebrating the occasion, followed by the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and the attendees performing the Saudi Ardah dance.
Al-Qassim: A celebration commemorating the unification process
Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim Region, in the presence of Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Faisal bin Saad, Deputy Governor of the region, sponsored the Al-Qassim Municipality’s ceremony on the occasion of National Day, which was held at the King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah.
The ceremony included national segments that recalled the journey of unifying the Kingdom and the achievements and continuous renaissance that the nation has attained, in addition to a speech by the people delivered by Dr. Sufyan Al-Rabdi, and national segments and accompanying performances.
The region's governor praised the efforts of the Qassim Municipality and the participating entities in organizing the event, while he participated in the Saudi Ardah dance in celebration of National Day.
Tabuk: More than 50 events showcasing the region's heritage
The Tabuk region witnessed extensive celebrations of the Saudi National Day, during which the region’s popular heritage was highlighted through events that combined folk arts, artistic and recreational activities.
The events held in the central area of Tabuk included Saudi Ardah performances, Dahha and Rafihi art displays, an exhibition of crafts, products and handmade items, and corners for drawing and photography with the National Day identity, in addition to the participation of productive families and interactive corners.
The region’s secretariat and its municipalities prepared more than 50 events distributed across 17 locations in the governorates and centers, with the participation of the governmental, private and non-profit sectors. These included national marches, popular and heritage shows, national operettas, children’s theaters, art exhibitions, competitions and recreational and interactive activities.
Roads, squares and public facilities were also equipped with more than 40 screens and road signs, 250 fixed and mobile green spotlights, 65,476 linear meters of decorative bracelets, in addition to 8,000 flags, to enhance national displays at celebration sites.
Medina: Heritage and Arts at the Heart of the Celebrations
The celebrations for Saudi National Day kicked off in Madinah at a number of vital locations that combine heritage, culture and entertainment, with the participation of residents and visitors.
The “parade of military vehicles and equipment” that started from Quba Road towards King Abdullah Road stood out, while the Saudi Ardah band presented a heritage tableau of Saudi heritage and culture during the official ceremony to launch the events, which was organized by the region’s secretariat.
The family-friendly events included photo booths and souvenir printing services, interactive activities and games for children, and an awareness and educational corner in partnership with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. Activities at Al-Aliya Mall and Jabal A'ir neighborhood featured Saudi cuisine and handicrafts such as Sadu weaving, palm frond weaving, pottery, and hand-carved designs. The "Friday Market Bazaar" hosted over 40 exhibitors from productive families and small businesses, while other locations presented the traditional Saudi Ardah dance and the Samri art form, in addition to the "Summit Sports Challenge" in Jabal A'ir neighborhood.
The “City Arts Center” hosted a number of events, including the “Nakhwat Mu’zi and Journey of a Nation” exhibition, craft workshops, distribution of Saudi flags and congratulatory banners, in addition to the “Roots in Taybah and a Lens in the Depths” exhibition and the 38th art tour of Madinah’s visual artists.
The events continued at Al-Aliya Mall with the Saudi Ardah and sword dance, in addition to an interactive mural in which the attendees participated to express their national feelings, and an exhibition of Saudi crafts and heritage that allowed children to learn about aspects of Saudi culture in an interactive way.
