In a patriotic atmosphere brimming with pride and honor, the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Washington, D.C., organized a special celebration to mark the Kingdom's National Day, which falls on February 22nd each year. The event was attended by a large number of staff from the Saudi Embassy, the Attaché's office, and its affiliated technical offices, as well as many Saudi citizens and scholarship students, who gathered to celebrate the deep historical roots of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Historical background of the founding day
Saudis celebrate National Day to commemorate the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727, with its capital in Diriyah. This day represents a national occasion to reflect on the state's three-century journey, built on the principles of unity, security, and stability. A royal decree issued in January 2022 declared this day an official holiday, affirming pride in the state's deep-rooted history and the strong bond between citizens and their leaders since the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud.
Rich cultural and heritage events
The celebration, held at the cultural attaché's office, featured a rich program of events showcasing the richness of Saudi cultural heritage. The hall was adorned with numerous displays featuring historical artifacts, traditional crafts, and authentic handicrafts. A special section was dedicated to showcasing various types of traditional Saudi clothing, allowing attendees to explore the diverse styles of traditional dress from different regions of the Kingdom. To add an interactive element, the attaché's office launched the "Founding Parade," a unique competition inviting scholarship students to participate by decorating their vehicles with national symbols and emblems that reflect the occasion. The main facade of the attaché's building was also illuminated with visual displays depicting the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its stages of development.
The importance of the celebration and its role in strengthening identity
Dr. Tahani Al-Baiz, the Saudi Cultural Attaché to the United States and Canada and supervisor of South American countries, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that this celebration comes “in pride in the deep-rooted history of the Saudi state and in commemoration of what the founding day represents in terms of a long journey built on the principles of unity, stability, and development.” She added that holding this event at the attaché’s office aims to showcase authentic Saudi cultural heritage to visitors of various nationalities, thus contributing to strengthening cultural diplomacy and building bridges of civilizational communication.
For their part, several student club presidents and scholarship recipients, including Ahmed Al-Obaidan, Abdullah Al-Rajhi, Amal Al-Khudair, and Jawad Al-Obaidan, expressed their delight at participating. In their remarks to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), they emphasized that scholarship recipients represent the Kingdom as ambassadors of love and peace in their academic and social environments. They feel a responsibility to represent their country honorably through academic excellence and diligence, presenting a positive image of the ambitious Saudi citizen who contributes to building bridges of communication with diverse cultures.
