Al-Jawf Olive Festival 19: 65,000 visitors and international events in Sakaka
the Al-Jouf International Olive Festival set a new record for visitor numbers, welcoming over 65,000 visitors in just the first five days. This prominent annual event, organized by the Al-Jouf Municipality, is being held at the Prince Abdul-Ilah Cultural Center in Sakaka and will continue until January 17th, amidst a pleasant winter atmosphere.
Variety of events and attractions
This year's festival boasts an unprecedented diversity of entertainment and cultural zones, featuring key areas including "Expo Al-Zaytoun" and "Kitchen Al-Zaytoun" offering live cooking experiences, as well as "Gardens," "The World," "Al-Khuzama," and "Tour Al-Jawf." The International Theatre and the Olive Theatre are also equipped to host artistic performances, along with six dedicated game areas and three music zones, making it a comprehensive destination for families and individuals.
Al-Jawf: The Kingdom's food basket and the capital of olives
This festival derives its strategic importance from the status of the Al-Jawf agricultural region, known as the "breadbasket of the Kingdom" and the olive capital of the Middle East. The region is renowned for its millions of olive trees and boasts the world's largest modern olive grove, a Guinness World Record holder. The festival serves as a major marketing platform for local farmers and companies to showcase the finest olive oil and its derivatives, contributing to the region's economic growth and supporting the gross domestic product, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of diversifying income sources and bolstering the agricultural sector.
A global cultural and entertainment experience
In an effort to enrich the visitor experience, the festival's CEO, Omar bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamwan, explained that this year's edition focuses on integrating local heritage with global cultures. The events include musical and theatrical performances, international folk dances such as Anatolian, Nashama, and Dabke, as well as dazzling carnival parades.
The festival is not limited to agriculture alone, but extends to include visual arts and electronic games, making it a truly exceptional cultural and tourist event. This initiative contributes to placing Al-Jawf region on the map of winter tourism in the Kingdom, attracting visitors from various regions and neighboring countries to enjoy both natural products and entertainment activities.
