The closing ceremony of the Founding Day events at the Palace of Justice, in the presence of the Prince of Riyadh
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Region, the distinguished celebratory events marking the Kingdom's Founding Day concluded at Al-Adl Square in the Qasr Al-Hukm district in the heart of the capital. This event was organized through fruitful cooperation between the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Riyadh Region Governorate, culminating two days filled with heritage and cultural activities that attracted thousands of visitors.
In a statement issued on this national occasion, His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh expressed his appreciation for the unwavering support provided by the wise leadership – may God protect them – for commemorating this glorious anniversary. He emphasized that celebrating the Founding Day is not merely a passing occasion, but a renewal of loyalty and allegiance, a living remembrance of the three-century history of the Saudi state, and a tribute to the imams and kings who established this magnificent entity. He noted that drawing inspiration from the sacrifices of our forefathers is a national duty that strengthens the values of belonging among the rising generations, pointing out that the Kingdom's current renaissance and prosperity are the fruits of those blessed seeds.
A journey into the depths of history and the Saudi Ardah dance
His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh and His Royal Highness the Deputy Prince toured the event site, where they viewed the dazzling visual displays adorning the mural of Al-Masmak Palace, Riyadh's most prominent historical landmark. They also visited the "Makhyal Ahl Al-Awja" exhibition, which presented a detailed visual and documentary account of the founding of the Saudi state, highlighting the Kingdom's cultural and civilizational heritage through pivotal historical moments.
The events included artistic performances and patriotic poems, including the poems "Salman bin Abdulaziz" and "Riyadh Al-Amjad," which celebrated love of country and loyalty to its leaders. In a scene embodying the unity between the leadership and the people, His Royal Highness the Prince of the region and His Royal Highness the Deputy Prince participated in the traditional Saudi Ardah dance with the Diriyah troupe. This dance, a symbol of victory and pride, is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Symbolism of place and connotations of time
Holding these events in the Qasr al-Hukm area carries profound historical and political significance. This area represents the beating heart of Riyadh and the center of administrative and political governance throughout the various phases of the Saudi state. Qasr al-Hukm stands as a testament to the epics of unification and state-building, lending the celebrations in its courtyards an emotional dimension that connects the past with the present and enhances the area's status as a tourist and cultural destination reflecting the authentic Najdi architectural identity.
The celebration of Founding Day, which falls on February 22nd each year, commemorates the establishment of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727 AD. This occasion aims to strengthen national identity, reinforce the values upon which the state was founded—security, stability, and justice—and introduce new generations to the deep-rooted history of their nation, amidst the major developmental transformations the Kingdom is witnessing within the framework of Vision 2030, which builds its future upon a solid historical legacy.
The events witnessed a wide public turnout from citizens, residents and tourists, who flocked to enjoy the heritage atmosphere, view the historical artifacts and participate in the interactive corners that blended the charm of the past with modern display technologies.
