A Sweet Slice of History: Florida Keys Celebrate 200th Birthday With Giant Key Lime Piehttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/4414411-sweet-slice-history-florida-keys-celebrate-200th-birthday-giant-key-lime-pie
A Sweet Slice of History: Florida Keys Celebrate 200th Birthday With Giant Key Lime Pie
In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, a measuring stick confirms the diameter of a gargantuan Key lime pie created for a 200th Florida Keys birthday celebration Monday, July 3, 2023, on Big Pine Key, Fla. (AP)
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A Sweet Slice of History: Florida Keys Celebrate 200th Birthday With Giant Key Lime Pie
In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, a measuring stick confirms the diameter of a gargantuan Key lime pie created for a 200th Florida Keys birthday celebration Monday, July 3, 2023, on Big Pine Key, Fla. (AP)
Partying never gets old in the Florida Keys — especially for a milestone birthday like No. 200.
The Florida Keys celebrated its bicentennial Monday along the Gulf of Mexico with a Key lime pie more than 13 feet (4 meters) in diameter — which organizers intend to certify as a world record.
The festivities marked the anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature’s establishment of Monroe County on July 3, 1823 and celebrated its history. The county contains all of the Keys and a portion of Everglades National Park.
During the Civil War, Key West remained in Union hands as a base for a naval blockade of Confederate shipping. In the early 1900s, Standard Oil millionaire Henry Flagler spearheaded the construction of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad that became widely known as the eighth wonder of the world.
And for nearly six months of his 1945-1953 presidency, Harry Truman governed the US from his Key West “Little White House” that is now Florida’s only presidential museum.
Key lime pie, originating in late 1800s Key West, is a large part of the continental United States' southernmost island chain's heritage. In 2006, Key lime pie was designated Florida’s official pie by the state Legislature.
Monday’s bicentennial version of the creamy dessert, prepared by local chefs, featured a traditional graham-cracker crust and whipped cream topping as well as the juice from several thousand Key limes.
‘Year of The Camel’ Saudi Initiative Celebrates Arabian Peninsula’s Cultural Heritagehttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/5046080-%E2%80%98year-camel%E2%80%99-saudi-initiative-celebrates-arabian-peninsula%E2%80%99s-cultural-heritage
‘Year of The Camel’ Saudi Initiative Celebrates Arabian Peninsula’s Cultural Heritage
Saudi Arabia is celebrating 2024 as the “Year of The Camel” to honor the special cultural role of the camel, known as the “ship of the desert.”
The year-long initiative will showcase the camel’s importance through various cultural, literary, recreational, and sports events organized by the Ministry of Culture and its partners.
The camel has been a key part of life in the Arabian Peninsula for centuries, influencing its culture, society, and economy. Despite modern advancements, the camel continues to symbolize the region’s traditions and values.
The ministry has kicked off the “Year of The Camel” with a series of events across the Kingdom. This initiative celebrates the camel’s long-standing role in Saudi life and explores its cultural and historical significance.
At the ministry’s pavilion in City Walk, part of Jeddah Season, visitors can enjoy a unique exhibit with seven sections. The display highlights the camel's cultural importance, traditional practices, historical legacy, and economic value, while promoting international cultural exchange.
Visitors at the “Year of the Camel” exhibition at the Madinah Book Fair. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Fahad Shaheen, a guide at the ministry’s pavilion in City Walk, Jeddah, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the exhibit is attracting more visitors daily from diverse backgrounds.
People are eager to experience camel sounds, view rock carvings, and learn about camel names and decorations.
In Madinah, the “Year of The Camel” pavilion at the Book Fair, which opened on Tuesday, offers a 3D display of camel features, names, and historical significance. It invites visitors to explore the importance of camels in Arabian culture and showcases different camel breeds and their unique traits.
Visitors are seen at the “Year of the Camel” exhibition at the Madinah Book Fair. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is actively working to develop its camel industry by raising awareness of camels' role in providing food and livelihood.
Efforts include increasing production, fighting diseases with regular vaccinations, and improving marketing of camel products to raise breeders’ income. The country is also partnering with international organizations to update regulations and systems related to camel activities.
A parade by the Saudi Camel Club during the Kingdom’s 93rd National Day. (SPA)
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has joined the United Nations FAO in launching the “International Year of the Camelids - 2024.”
This initiative underscores the Kingdom’s focus on camels for food security and economic growth. To highlight the camel’s role in culture and society, Saudi Arabia introduced the “Camel Studies Grant,” covering six key areas related to camels.
The Kingdom takes pride in its rich and diverse cultural history, which is a key part of its national identity. Saudi Arabia blends tradition with modernity, offering a unique cultural experience and a deep historical legacy to the world.
