Photo credit: Saudi Press Agency
The Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia is currently celebrating the Flowerman Festival in Rijal Almaa Village in Asir region—the very first in the world—in line with the kingdom’s vision to promote its culture and tourism.
The festival, which started on August 12 and will run until August 31, is organized by Saudi’s Ministry of Culture. It commemorates the traditional wear of the Qahtani tribe—one of the world’s oldest social groups—from the mountainous remote town Habala in Southern Saudi.
The Flowerman Festival, according to the Ministry of Culture, sheds light on the kingdom’s heritage that dates back to the 50s—when everyone was deeply in touch with nature. The locals used to harvest the flora and herbs to create beautiful and colourful flower crowns, which they believe provide good health to wearers.
Today, the locals uphold and share with the world this heritage by wearing the garlands—whatever profession they may be in.
The Ministry of Culture aims to provide an immersive experience through a live open-air museum in the festival to capture the imagination and stimulate the senses of all visitors. The festival will also include live folk performances, art and poetry nights, video-mapping performances, light shows, interactive displays, and a heritage markets.
The Flowerman Festival is just one of the initiatives of the kingdom to rehabilitate and promote its cultural villages, and in turn, transform them into international tourism destinations. In a report by The National, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities recently spearheaded a rehabilitation project for Rijal Almaa Village in Asir—with the goal of pushing it to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The kingdom’s Saudi Vision 2030 plans to further boost tourism in the kingdom and uphold its rich cultural diversity, by supporting the efforts of regions and non-profit and private sectors to organize such cultural events.
“We will seek to offer a variety of cultural venues—such as libraries, arts and museums—as well as entertainment possibilities to suit tastes and preferences. These projects will also contribute to our economy and will result in the creation of many job opportunities,” it said in its website.
