Saudi Gazette The 27th Janadriya Festival for Heritage and Culture in Riyadh, commenced last week, attracted a large number of families; to give them an insight of the rich history of the land in a unique way. There was plenty to see and do as excited mothers with their children strolled across the ground visiting different types of stalls. The festival took care of everyone, young and old, and arranged various types of entertainment for them such as poetry recitals, theater, art exhibitions, and camel rides. The activities that captivated the interest of mothers and children were plays for children, educational contests, historical exhibitions, and folklore songs; most of which were organized by the Ministry of Education. A fun and unique show arranged by the Ministry of Education and presented by scouts (boys) taught onlookers basic camping skills and simple secrets of surviving in the open desert. The audience curiously watched as scouts set up a tent, cooked over a lit fire, tied ropes into durable knots, and determined directions without using advanced technological devices. Children were later invited to take part in marches, physical exercises, and games. The stalls of delicious, authentic Saudi food grabbed the attention of many visitors as well. One of the favorites was margoog, which is similar to a stew with thin dumplings, vegetables, and meat pieces cooked in tomato sauce and topped with onions and spices. The delightful smell of fragrant perfumes and scented oils floating in the air drew hundreds of women to perfume stalls. To compete for customers, some perfume merchants had attractive offers to lure women customers such as, “Buy one, get one free!” or a free gift with every purchase,etc. Girls were enthralled by the South Korean section of the festival. Some visitors waited in line for almost an hour and a half just to see the captivating Korean shows and cinema presentations. The pavilion also had a time tunnel that illustrated the history of Korea and the Arab World. Reem could barely catch her breath as she excitedly told a reporter from Al-Watan, “I am fascinated by Korean culture, art, music, and films. The 3-D underwater film that was played in the Korean section was amazing!” __
