Saudi Arabia celebrates 'Foundation Day' for first time
Saudi Arabia is celebrating for the first time the anniversary of "Foundation Day" to commemorate one of the most important moments for the Kingdom: the founding of the first Saudi state, the Emirate of Diriyah, by Imam Mohammed bin Saud in February 1727.
This celebration was approved last January with a royal decree issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud dedicating every 22 February every year to the celebration of Foundation Day. The Saudi king noted that the selection of this date is due to the fact of the beginning of the era of Imam Muhammad bin Saud and his establishment of the first Saudi state. However, this day does not replace Saudi Arabia's National Day, which takes place every 23 September to celebrate the unification of the Kingdoms of Nejd and Hejaz.
The day's holiday extends to three days of celebrations in which the Kingdom is scheduling various events and activities to raise awareness of the significance of this occasion with the historical and cultural depth of the Saudi state since its founding three centuries ago, as well as to show the close cohesion and interdependence between citizens and their leaders, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The aim of the celebrations is to introduce young people to the Kingdom's customs and past, and all children are encouraged to participate.
Several cities in Saudi Arabia have been preparing the celebrations that will take place during these three days, where visitors will be presented with a cultural celebration of traditional Saudi garments and costumes, with typical products from the Arabian Peninsula, while sequences from the Kingdom's history are played out virtually. It is precisely on this last point that Saudi Arabia wants to mark the celebration of Foundation Day, since, according to a press release from the Saudi Press Agency, the aim is to simulate the same meeting point that Diriyah used to be for the Hajj, or Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, and the commercial caravans from outside the peninsula.
In addition, there is also a musical show with the "Founding Operetta", a theatrical and musical performance with Saudi stars such as Mohamed Abdo, Abdul Majeed Abdullah and Rashed al-Fares. This musical in Riyadh aims to show the transition to modern life while preserving the language, religion, customs, traditions and social relations. The show also aims to commemorate the founder and other historical icons over three centuries. Also, the National Museum in Riyadh will host traditional events including interactive workshops to celebrate Saudi culture.
Meanwhile, in Dhahran, the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture has celebrated Foundation Day with activities including camel parades, the traditional A'arda dance in the Lush Garden, a poetry night and a fashion show and competition to celebrate the Kingdom's sewing tradition.
In any case, the celebration of this new Foundation Day, along with other holidays such as National Day, is intended for Saudi Arabia to raise awareness of its economic and social development under the leadership of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.