The 17th annual Kleija Festival kicked off yesterday, Thursday, in Buraidah, amidst a large audience and a pleasant winter atmosphere. Organized by the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, the event is being held at the King Khalid Cultural Center and will run for 10 days, packed with activities. A record number of over 750 productive families are participating, along with numerous artisans and sponsors supporting this annual gathering.
An economic window for productive families
The Kleija Festival is more than just an entertainment event; it's a vital economic platform in the Qassim region and the Kingdom as a whole, supporting local producers. The festival's primary goal is to empower families by transforming their livelihoods from dependency to self-sufficiency, providing them with a massive marketing opportunity to showcase and sell their products to thousands of visitors. The participation of over 750 families this year underscores the festival's success in previous editions in creating sustainable employment opportunities and boosting the income of these families, thus contributing to the growth of the local economy.
Kleija: The heritage and identity of Al-Qassim
The festival highlights "Kleija," the golden disc filled with dates, date syrup, and spices, considered an icon of the Qassim region's cultural heritage. The events include specialized pavilions showcasing the history of this handicraft, along with live demonstrations of its preparation and baking, offering visitors a sensory experience that transports them back to the past. Preserving this traditional craft and passing it on to new generations is one of the festival's key objectives, ensuring the continuation of this cultural heritage that is so closely associated with the region both locally and regionally.
Extensive tourism and cultural activity
This year's festival features a diverse range of accompanying programs targeting all segments of society. The events include folk performances, a children's theater, and daily competitions and prizes for visitors. The festival contributes to boosting tourism in the Qassim region during the winter break, attracting visitors from across the Kingdom and the Gulf countries. This positively impacts the accommodation, transportation, and support services sectors, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to promote domestic tourism and celebrate authentic national heritage.
