Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Al-Jouf region, inaugurated the 18th edition of the Al-Jouf International Olive Festival on Thursday, January 2, 2025. During the ceremony, His Highness stressed the strong support the Al-Jouf region receives from the wise leadership, which has made it one of the Kingdom's most prominent agricultural regions and the "Kingdom's food basket," pointing to the festival's role in showcasing the region's identity globally and stimulating economic activity.

Al-Jouf: A Model for Sustainable Development

The Emir of Al-Jouf pointed to the multiple development projects the region has received in the environment, water and agriculture sectors, affirming their effectiveness in achieving significant accomplishments. He described the festival as a global platform reflecting the region's distinguished capabilities, particularly in olive cultivation and its related processing industries.

A Tour of the Festival Grounds

The festival's launch featured a tour by Prince Faisal of the accompanying exhibitions, where he met with company staff and participating farmers who expressed their pride in taking part in this distinguished event. The ceremony included a visual presentation titled "Our Olive, Our Wealth," reviewing the qualitative leap made in the olive-growing sector, followed by a musical operetta and a Samri folk performance showcasing aspects of Al-Jouf's authentic heritage.

Diverse Events and Economic Goals

The festival continues for ten days, until January 12, 2025, and includes a wide range of activities and interactive zones, including:

  • An Olive Exhibition showcasing local and international products.
  • Olive Park and Oliva Square, with entertainment facilities and restaurants.
  • The Olive Kitchen, offering innovative dishes.
  • Areas dedicated to craftspeople, artists, and productive families.

The festival also offers specialized seminars and workshops with expert participation, in addition to concerts and chanting performances hosted by leading stars.

Distinguished International Participation

Leading olive-producing countries are taking part in the festival, including: Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. The event offers an opportunity to promote Saudi agricultural products and boost economic activity by increasing market sales, raising hotel occupancy rates, and strengthening the Kingdom's self-sufficiency in line with Vision 2030.