Al-Jenadriyah (Arabic: مهرجان الجنادرية, romanized: Maharajān al-Janādrīyah) is a cultural and heritage festival held in Jenadriyah (or Janadriyah[1]) near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia each year, lasting for two weeks.
"King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz was the first to organize this festival. He fostered it and developed it to become the top Arab festival that showcases the local heritage of all Arabian Peninsula regions as well as the Saudi Arabian heritage."[2]
It is organised by the National Guard, and the first was held in 1985.[3] Activities include a camel race, performance of local music and dancing of the Ardah and the Mizmar. The festival draws more than one million visitors every year.[3] The festival "normally falls during the month of February or March...Long ago, Janadriyah was known as 'Rowdhat Souwais' and was mentioned by numerous historians and writers."[1]
In July 2019, the Saudi cabinet transferred the responsibility of organizing the festival to the Ministry of Culture after it was under the responsibility of the Ministry of National Guard.[4]
Events and activities
The festival opens with the opening ceremony master; it then proceeds with various events, including:
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