Al-Jawf Olive Festival 19: 65,000 visitors and international events in Sakaka
The 19th edition of the Al-Jouf International Olive Festival set 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 and a vibrant tourism scene.
Variety of events and attractions
This year's festival boasts an unprecedented diversity of zones and events, catering to a wide range of tastes. Highlights include the Expo, the Olive Kitchen offering innovative recipes, and entertainment zones such as Gardens, The World, Lavender, and Tour Al-Jawf. The festival also features the International Theatre and the Olive Theatre, along with six dedicated game areas and three music zones, providing a comprehensive entertainment experience for families and individuals.
Al-Jawf: The olive capital and the Kingdom's food basket
This festival is more than just a fleeting entertainment event; it's an annual celebration of the agricultural identity of the Al-Jawf region. Historically known as the "olive capital" of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Al-Jawf boasts millions of olive trees and produces some of the world's finest olive oil. The festival further enhances this status, highlighting the significant advancements in modern agricultural techniques in the region, which in previous years earned it a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest modern olive grove in the world.
Economic and tourism dimensions that keep pace with the vision
The festival holds significant economic importance, serving as the primary marketing platform for local farmers to showcase their olive oil, olive products, and related processed goods. The olive exhibition and participating brands attract a large number of visitors from both within and outside the region, contributing to increased commercial activity and supporting small farmers and entrepreneurs. This momentum aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aims to promote agricultural and rural tourism, diversify income sources, and support local content.
A global cultural 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 the international and cultural dimensions. The events include musical and theatrical performances, as well as international folkloric displays from participating countries, such as Anatolian, Nashama, and Dabke dances. These performances are complemented by carnival parades, electronic games, and visual arts, creating a vibrant artistic and cultural tapestry that makes a visit to the Al-Jawf Olive Festival an unforgettable experience and reinforces its position as a leading winter tourist destination in northern Saudi Arabia.
