Folk art performances, poetry recitals, children's theater, and plays telling the story of the unification of the country by King Abdul Aziz in 1932 were the highlights of functions organized Thursday across the Kingdom to celebrate Saudi Arabia's 80th National Day. Prince Mish'al Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Najran, opened at the Al-Akhdoud Club the Technical and Vocational Pavilion by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Minister of Education and Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah,. Later in the day, the Emir marked the occasion with Prince Faisal by launching the “Kingdom of Humanitarianism” exhibition, during which both spoke of the “considerable development in all areas” being witnessed in the region. In Madina, the Mayor's Office celebrated the National Day with a firework display and a range of competitions offering winners prizes such as iPads. “These events serve to reaffirm our love and loyalty to this generous nation under our wise government led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz,” said the Mayor of Madina, Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hussayin. In Al-Baha school pupils handed out banners in the main streets and public squares and markets, with the regional Educational Administration organizing an evening of poetry to mark the occasion. In the capital, the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center held a wide range of traditional and cultural events to mark the day, with camel processions, handicraft displays and traditional food on offer to visitors, all seeking to recall days of yore. Men and women practiced age-old crafts such as weaving, and equipment and tools used in former times in agriculture, irrigation and house building were on display. In Jeddah, songs, dances and plays were performed at the Public Library. The program was organized by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Art, in cooperation with a number of youth and other groups. Abdullah Nawawi, president of the society, prayed for the prosperity and progress of the Kingdom. “We love our country and our King and want to congratulate him on this occasion of National Day,” said Nawawi. – With input from Fouzia Khan Majid Al-Sulaime, Saudi poet, read out a patriotic poem praising the country and the Royal family. He said King Abdullah is like a father to the nation. He said Crown Prince Sultan's intelligence has helped in the progress of the country and its youth. Under the supervision of Mohammed Saleem, the society's traditional dance group, Al-Sabayti, performed a program of traditional Hijazi songs and dances, including a patriotic song “Our national day is like Eid to us”. - With input from Fouzia Khan The Al-Hariz traditional dance group also performed dances and songs, including “The traditional colors of Al Khabaiti” and “Saudi Arabia is our country”. Dr. Khizer Al-Hayani, a poet and officer from the society's public relations department, read out a poem he had written specially for the occasion. The famous Saudi singer Hassan Abdullah sang the song “I am Saudi” written and composed by Sami Salem and Faisal Shanawi, with music prepared by Hussain Ibrahim Al-Ahdal. A youth group presented a comedy on Saudi traditions. Ibrahim Al-Ahdal, the manager of the music committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information, was the honored guest on the occasion.
