The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Hans Peter van der Woude, paid an official visit today to the headquarters of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025 , organized by the Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Mulham, north of Riyadh. This visit reflects the growing international interest in this major heritage event, the largest of its kind in the world, which will continue until January 10, 2026.
Upon his arrival, the Dutch Ambassador was received by Mr. Ahmed Al-Hababi, Vice President of the Saudi Falcons Club. Mr. Al-Hababi then accompanied the Ambassador and his delegation on a comprehensive field tour, during which they observed some of the exciting competitions in the local owners' rounds of the "Al-Malwah" competition. That day saw a large turnout of 367 falcons, reflecting the high level of participation and competitiveness of the festival.
Integrating heritage with the latest global technologies
During the tour, Ambassador Hans Peter van der Woude was briefed on the advanced mechanisms used in managing the races, receiving a detailed explanation of how the technical and refereeing committees operate. The Ambassador expressed his deep admiration for the festival's advanced technical level, noting the use of state-of-the-art global equipment for monitoring speeds and determining results with pinpoint accuracy. This ensures the highest standards of transparency and fairness in the competitions, representing a qualitative leap that seamlessly blends the rich heritage of the past with the innovations of the present.
A global festival that promotes cultural heritage
The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival holds special significance that transcends local boundaries. Through its successive editions, the festival has successfully established the Kingdom as a premier global destination for falconers and enthusiasts. It has entered the Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of falcons in the world, making it an international platform for cultural exchange and reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to preserving the Kingdom's intangible cultural heritage, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on strengthening national identity.
Ambassador's Impressions and Cultural Diplomacy
At the conclusion of his tour, which included the participating pavilions and accompanying events, the Dutch ambassador expressed his immense satisfaction with the professional organization he witnessed, which rivaled that of major international sporting events. He thanked the Saudi Falcons Club for their warm welcome, praising the efforts made to preserve falconry as a time-honored heritage sport and to develop it into a competitive sport that utilizes modern technology. He wished the Kingdom continued progress in safeguarding its human and cultural heritage.
