Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the National Day Season Turki Al-Sheikh on Monday congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Saudi citizens on the country’s 89th National Day.

Citizens and residents will be enjoying entertainment activities planned across the 13 regions of the Kingdom as part of the 89th National Day Season which is being supervised by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) from Sept. 19 to 23.

Many events like fireworks, concerts, festivals and international performances have been designed specifically for this occasion. Activities also include Al Himma Youth celebrations and Saudi Arabia experiences.

The details of the season activities were announced at a press conference by GEA Chief Executive Officer Amr Banaja.

“The General Entertainment Authority is proud to oversee the Saudi National Day Season activities by launching a unified identity that brings together the society under ‘Himma Hatta El-Qimmah’,” said Banaja.

He said it was inspired by the words of the Crown Prince (“The strength of the Saudis is like that of the Tuwaiq mountain”).

Banaja said that the National Day Season is one of the Saudi seasons which the General Entertainment Authority is proud to oversee.

“This year fireworks celebrations will continue for several days where more than 700,000 shots will be fired at an altitude of up to 300 meters. It will be accompanied by music,” he said.

“The celebrations of ‘El Himma’ will be held in all 13 regions of the Kingdom during the season, which is derived from the season’s slogan ‘Himma Hatta El-Qimmah’. Visitors will enjoy a unique and diverse range of activities that reflect the unity of the nation and the cohesion of the people and leadership,” Banaja said.

“Distinctive international shows designed especially for the National Day will be held in Riyadh from Sept. 21-23” he said.

The “Tariq El-Himmah” show will take the audience through a story on a unique and beautiful journey presenting many artistic moments.

Dazzling fireworks will light up the Jeddah over Al-Hamra Corniche during “Star Island” event creating beautiful patterns accompanied by sound and light effects and laser shows.

At the five-day Dhahran Exhibition in Dammam starting on Sept. 19, the world’s largest theatrical production company “Cirque du Soleil” will present a specially designed show for the Saudi National Day.

Forty artists will present 14 shows of acrobatics, sports, music, and dance.

Eight concerts will be held in a number of regions of the Kingdom where — besides international stars — Saudi and Gulf artists will present beautiful patriotic songs.

The concerts will begin on the first day of the season on Sept. 19 at Al-Jouf University Stadium in Sakaka with performances by Khaled Abdulrahman and Nabil Shuail. The next day, a concert will be held at King Khalid Sport City in Tabuk by artists Abdullah Al-Rowaished and Aseel Abu Bakr.

On Sept. 21, Majid Al-Mohandes and Dalia Mubarak will perform at Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaed Stadium in Hail. On Sept. 22, two concerts will be held at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah by artists Rashid Al-Majid and Balqees Fathi, and the second at Prince Sultan Cultural Center in Jazan by the Artist of Arabs Mohammad Abdu and Turki.

On the National Day (Sept. 23), three concerts will be held in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Thousands will gather at King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh to watch singers Hussein Al-Jasmi and Abadi Al-Jawhar.

In Jeddah, Rabeh Saqr and Waad will perform at King Abdullah Sports City, while in Dammam, and in the Green Halls in Riyadh, Kuwaiti singer Nawal and the artist Ayed will regale the audience.

Banaja said, “To inspire and motivate, five forums will take place in five cities with one forum in each city where a number of speakers will present inspirational events to share knowledge.”

Himma Forum will be held in Madinah and Tabuk on Sept. 19 while in Abha and Buraidah the forum will be held on Sept. 21 and in Hail on Sept. 23.

Adventure lovers and those interested in exploration will enjoy specially designed activities during the season to suit different tastes. Everyone can choose the programs they want through the platform “Enjoy.”

Banaja thanked the security authorities for their efforts to make the season a success, and all governmental, private and non-profit sectors for their efforts in contributing to the success of the season.