The Al-Jawf region, with its rich history and culture, is hosting the “Children of Culture Festival,” a unique creative platform designed to enrich children’s imaginations and develop their skills through a diverse range of interactive experiences and specialized workshops. The festival, which includes the participation of 11 cultural organizations, offers an exceptional opportunity for younger generations to explore the worlds of arts and knowledge in a way that combines education and entertainment, thus instilling in them a love of culture and a connection to their national heritage.
Cultural background and national vision
This festival is not an isolated event, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy led by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the cultural sector. The Vision aims to make culture a way of life for society, strengthen national identity, and nurture local talent from a young age. Festivals for children are a cornerstone of this strategy, contributing to building a conscious and creative generation capable of engaging with authentic Saudi heritage while simultaneously embracing global cultures. The choice of Al-Jawf region, known for its historical sites and vast olive groves, lends a symbolic dimension to the event, connecting children to their land's rich history and inspiring them to draw inspiration for the future from the legacy of the past.
Various workshops to unleash creativity
The festival offers a rich program reflecting the diversity of the Kingdom's cultural sectors. At the Culinary Arts Commission pavilion, children can engage in a fun challenge with the "Map of Traditional Dishes" workshop, learning about the geographical distribution of traditional Saudi dishes and enhancing their understanding of the local cuisine's richness. The "Cultivation of Khawlani Coffee" workshop provides a comprehensive hands-on experience, from planting to harvesting, introducing them to one of the Kingdom's most important agricultural treasures, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In the world of visual arts, the Film Commission's pavilion opens the doors of filmmaking for children through the "Camera Angles" workshop, which reveals the secrets of scene composition, and the "Stop-Down Animation" workshop, which enables them to design and animate their own characters to produce short films, thus developing their visual storytelling skills. The Fashion Commission offers innovative workshops on designing costumes on miniature models and digitally coloring traditional Saudi clothing, introducing them to the beauty and authenticity of Saudi attire. The Visual Arts Commission complements this experience with workshops on the fundamentals of photography, lighting, and hand printing, while the Music Commission provides children with the opportunity to discover their talents in choral singing and playing traditional percussion instruments.
Importance and future impact
The significance of the Children's Culture Festival lies in its far-reaching impact. It is not merely a temporary entertainment event, but rather an investment in the Kingdom's human capital. Through these practical experiences, children gain self-confidence, learn teamwork and problem-solving skills, and develop their critical and creative thinking abilities. Locally, the festival contributes to revitalizing cultural and tourism activity in the Al-Jawf region. Nationally, this event supports efforts to build a diversified knowledge economy, as today's children may become tomorrow's artists, intellectuals, and innovators who will lead the Saudi cultural landscape to new global horizons.
