Ronaldo celebrates Saudi heritage on the country's founding day
In a unique gesture embodying the depth of cultural integration, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, star of Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr FC, captivated the world during the Kingdom's National Day celebrations. Ronaldo's celebration wasn't limited to leading his team to a resounding victory; it also included wearing a luxurious "Bisht Al-Ahsa" (a traditional men's cloak), designed to resemble a rare historical piece worn by King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in his youth, transforming the event from a mere sporting celebration into a global cultural message.
Ronaldo's appearance in this traditional attire coincided with his leading his team, Al-Nassr, to a resounding 4-0 victory over Al-Hazm, where he scored two goals. This added a dual dimension to the celebration, combining sporting excellence with pride in authentic Saudi identity. The player expressed his immense pride in being an active part of the Saudi sporting and cultural scene, affirming that the Kingdom will always remain a welcoming destination for everyone.
Historical background: The story of King Faisal's bisht
The story of this exceptional bisht dates back more than a century, when it was specially made for Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz at the request of the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud. It was crafted by the renowned Al-Ahsa artisan, Ali Al-Ghawas, famous for his exceptional skill in weaving royal bishts. This masterpiece is distinguished by its intricate hand-weaving, entirely from pure camel hair, meticulously preserving its natural color, known as "al-Wadha.".
King Faisal first wore this historic bisht at the age of thirteen during a momentous international event: his address to the Peace Conference in Britain following the end of World War I. This early appearance reflected the strong diplomatic presence of the nascent kingdom, and the bisht became a symbol of wisdom and national pride.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Wearing this outfit by a global figure of Cristiano Ronaldo's stature is not just a celebratory gesture, but carries deeper dimensions on both the local and international levels.
- At the local level, this event fosters pride in national identity and cultural heritage among younger generations, connecting global sporting icons with Saudi Arabia's rich history. It also highlights the importance of traditional crafts, such as the making of the Al-Ahsa bisht (a traditional men's cloak).
- On an international level, Ronaldo, with his hundreds of millions of followers, acts as a cultural ambassador for the Kingdom. This presence presents a positive and rich image of Saudi culture and contributes to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the Kingdom's soft power and establish it as a global tourist and cultural destination. He is a bridge connecting the cultures of East and West.
An initiative to preserve heritage
Coinciding with this event, and to emphasize the sustainability of this artistic heritage, an unprecedented national initiative was launched to include 50 schools in Al-Ahsa Governorate in a comprehensive educational program dedicated to preserving the Al-Ahsa bisht industry. This foundational step seeks to raise awareness among thousands of students and ensure the transmission of the secrets of this intricate craft to future generations, thus safeguarding the Kingdom's historical and cultural identity.
