Saudi Arabia has welcomed the launch of the "Yalla Sharqiah" season, the first of many seasons set to instill its mark as part of the country progressive change and development under the National Transformation Program 2020 and the Saudi Vision 2030. Themed "A Season of Culture & Energy", the season was announced in the Eastern Province on Feb. 28 and it is considered to be one of the biggest touristic and edutainment destinations on the map of Saudi Arabia. "Yalla Sharqiah" is the offspring of the recently announced "Saudi Seasons", one of the main pillars of "The Quality of Life 2020 Program" spearheaded by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, deputy premier, chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs and minister of defense. The two-week long season will start on March 14 until March 30 and aims to boost the national economy, diversify the country's portfolio and help in the creation of job opportunities for Saudis. The recent winds of change witnessed in the Kingdom will aim to propel fruitful and positive investments in favor of the country's continuous advancement. "Sharqiah Season" will be featuring entertainment options to cater to everyone's preferences. This includes a unique lineup of events and shows that range from immersive rig experiences highlighting the energy sector in Saudi Arabia, to a first-of-its-kind lightning show and Van Gogh interactive exhibition. The season boasts an exciting variety of activities across the eastern region, with entertainment options suited for each city. Dammam will showcase the renowned Red Bull Air Race and Formula 1 H2O as well as cultural experiences that underline local heritage in the form of the East Coast Festival and Spring gathering, among other options such as the Saudi Bike Show for motorbike enthusiasts and Cirque Eloise that will dazzle the whole family, to name a few. Al Khobar will showcase exhibitions and cultural experiences such as the cultural village, Arabic concerts, Egyptian opera, Bollywood festival, and the Color Run. Technology will also be utilized in Khobar's events, including a 3D mapping show and an exhibition revolving around drones as the new technological phenomenon. Education and business meet cultural entertainment in Al-Ahsa's lineup of events, introducing several forums and conferences such as Al-Ahsa Investment Forum 2019 not to mention the Cultural Nights and Outdoor cinema. Experiential and educational entertainment is also available for all with the Immersive Rig Experience and the Upstream Immersive experience, which showcase the extraction and effects of energy. Other cities like Dhahran, Jubail, Hafar Al-Batin, Nuairyah and Khafji will offer programs that blend education and sports with entertainment and culture similarly to Al-Ahsa, with Ithra Lab, and the Saudi Robotics Conference and Exhibition, with the addition of sports-related activities such as activities for special needs, the Aqua Bike Kingdom Championship and the Sailboat Race Kingdom. Further notable musical performances, art exhibitions, and adventure-packed events include Takht Sharqi musical performance, the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition, Zamkan Exhibition, Saudi Film festival, and adventure park. It is without a doubt that "Yalla Sharqiah" Season will constitute a significant leap for Saudi Arabia's economic and social standpoint. It is a vital entertainment destination, all-encompassing of a wide variety of activities that increase leisure opportunities and support domestic tourism and international one. It offers a wide array of entertainment options that attract individuals, families, and friends to enjoy the first-of-its-kind experience. Visitors of the "Yalla Sharqiah" Season will also have access to a diverse selection of shopping displays, featuring the latest apparel and myriads of promotions and discounts available across several malls in the region. With over 83 cultural, recreational, touristic and international sports activities spread across the different cities in the Eastern Province, ‘Yalla Sharqiah' the Season of Culture & Energy has joined together mutual efforts from the General Entertainment Authority, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the General Culture Authority, the General Sports Authority, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Saudi Aramco's King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). It is expected to pave way for the creation of 3,000 job opportunities for Saudis and supports local entrepreneurs. ‘Yalla Sharqiah' marks a strong start for all participating parties, underlining the keenness of every contributor working in synergy towards a successful and picture-perfect initiative. The positive contribution of the Season will help position the Eastern Province as a top touristic attraction in Saudi Arabia. The Eastern Province is known for its beautiful beaches, the longest stretch of seafront on the Arabian Gulf, quiet resorts, fun recreational cities, a vast desert with unique sand formations, as well as many archaeological sites and historical landmarks dating back to different eras. An example of such landmarks is Al- Ahsa Oasis, listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been chosen as the capital of Arab tourism for 2019. — SG
