The Saudi Ministry of Culture has announced the launch of the “Ramadan Decorations and Games Guide,” a strategic step aimed at organizing and unifying the visual identity and activities associated with the holy month. This guide is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the cultural and national presence in Ramadan-related events and initiatives, and to ensure the uniformity of visual use according to approved standards that reflect the authenticity of Saudi heritage and the spirituality of the holy month.
General context: A step towards a firmly established national identity
This initiative falls within the broader framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to solidify national identity and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. While Ramadan has long been associated in the public consciousness with traditional festive displays, such as lanterns and illuminated decorations, these have often lacked a unified visual identity. Through this guide, the Ministry of Culture seeks to move from spontaneous practices to a structured framework that blends authenticity with modernity, presenting a cohesive and sophisticated image of Ramadan celebrations across the Kingdom, both in public spaces and on digital platforms.
Approved visual identity details
The ministry affirmed that color is a key element in building the visual identity, necessitating strict adherence to the codes and color palettes specified in the guide. It emphasized that any colors not listed are considered unapproved. The identity is based on the values of clarity, authenticity, grounding, and determination, with eight secondary colors that can be used in various forms of communication, in addition to white and beige to ensure contrast and visual clarity. The guide also outlines how to apply the logo to colored backgrounds, clarifying correct usage and avoiding incorrect applications to maintain the identity's consistency and visual integrity. Furthermore, the guide specifies the approved fonts: a bold Arabic font for headings, a regular-weight "Harir" font for text, and corresponding English fonts to ensure harmony between the different linguistic components.
Importance and expected impact
Locally, this guide is expected to contribute to a harmonious visual experience for citizens and residents during Ramadan, fostering a sense of belonging and national unity. It also provides a clear reference for government entities and the private sector to organize their events professionally and consistently. Regionally, this initiative represents a pioneering model for managing the cultural identity of religious and national events and may inspire other countries to adopt similar initiatives. Internationally, this initiative presents a modern and organized image of the Kingdom, demonstrating its attention to detail and its ability to blend rich heritage with cutting-edge design and visual communication techniques, thus enhancing its soft power and cultural and tourist appeal.
Interactive games to promote culture
The guide wasn't limited to visuals; it also included a range of interactive games inspired by national identity and cultural heritage, aiming to foster community engagement in an entertaining and educational way. Among the most prominent of these games were question cards related to Founding Day, a card game inspired by the classic "Shadda" style with a design reflecting Saudi identity, and games that rely on language and cognitive skills using local vocabulary, such as a word-description game and a "People, Animals, Objects" game with a Saudi flavor. This helps connect new generations to their heritage in an innovative and engaging manner.
