closed gallery in Al-Janadriyah. In a key address, Prince Mit'eb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Commander of the National Guard for Executive Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee for the festival, welcomed the king and his guests, telling that, "now Janadriyah cultural event doesn't need to be illustrated in words as it is here in front of all of you speaking about itself as a giant cultural edifice". Then the King honored this year's cultural personality. He decorated Mr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Idrees with King Abdulaziz Medal of the first class. Then the Minister of Culture of France delivered a speech, thanking the organizers of the festival for choosing his country as this year's guest of honor. He highlighted the deep-rooted cultural ties binding the Kingdom and France since the dispatch of a special envoy of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early era of the Kingdom. He was followed by Morocco's Foreign Minister and former Minister of Culture Mohammed bin Isa who thanked the King, on behalf of literates, authors, and intellectuals who attend this session, for inviting them to this important cultural event. --More
