The Eastern Province Education Department has concluded the third edition of the National Folklore Festival, which ran for three days on Khobar Corniche with the participation of eight education departments from across the Kingdom. The festival aims to highlight the Kingdom's cultural and heritage diversity and strengthen folk heritage among younger generations.

An authentic cultural message
Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, official spokesperson for Eastern Province Education, said the festival represents an important part of the Kingdom's cultural identity, reflecting social and cultural diversity through different folklore styles. He added that these folk arts bear witness to the Kingdom's rich history, passing down the values and heritage of Saudi society across generations.

An operetta diving into heritage
The festival's activities included an artistic operetta portraying the pearl-diving journeys for which the Eastern Province is renowned. The operetta depicted the roles of the nokhada (captain), mujaddimi, sayeb and ghais (divers) in the quest for pearls, highlighting the cultural and social impact of this journey.

Diverse folklore performances
The festival featured distinctive artistic performances, with each region presenting its traditional shows:

  • Eastern Province: Daq Al-Hasb, Al-Dezza, Al-Ashouri, Al-Basta.
  • Al-Baha: Al-Laab, the southern ardah.
  • Qassim, Al-Jouf and Hafr Al-Batin: the Saudi ardah.
  • Northern Borders: Al-Dahha.
  • Madinah: Al-Rafihi, Al-Majrour.
  • Jazan: Al-Azzawi, Al-Saif.

Strengthening heritage among students
The festival aims to introduce students to folk arts, the tools used in performing them, and the occasions on which they are held. Through such initiatives, the Ministry of Education seeks to enrich students' cultural knowledge and connect them with their historical roots, strengthening pride in national identity.