Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Buraydah will join 70 other creative cities worldwide at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2024, held in Thailand from May 9th to 12th. Through its participation, Buraydah aims to strengthen its global presence and programs as a creative city within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

Secretary General of Qassim Chamber Mohammad Al-Hanaya stated that Buraydah's participation in the conference is part of the file plan of Buraydah Creative City, supported and organized by the chamber.

The Qassim Chamber, in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, is responsible for managing and implementing the technical aspects of this file. Buraydah Creative City is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in gastronomy, SPA reporte.
Al-Hanaya highlighted the commitment of the Saudi leadership to ensuring the Kingdom's active and influential presence in international events across various fields, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Executive Liaison Officer for Buraydah Creative City at UNESCO Sulaiman Al-Geffari stated that the city's participation in the conference in Phuket, Thailand, aims to achieve the objectives of joining the Creative Cities Network.

Buraydah will be among more than 70 creative cities in the field of gastronomy from different countries at the conference, with the presence of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, Al-Geffari added.
The city seeks to enhance cooperation among member cities, exchange experiences and initiatives, showcase best practices, and explore avenues for developing enhanced elements of creativity and innovation for sustainable urban development, Al-Geffari stated.

Furthermore, Buraydah aims to foster partnerships between gastronomy cities within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network during the conference.

In 2021, Buraydah became a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, making it the first Gulf city and the second Arab city to join the network.



Cultural Activities of King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Conclude with Over 320 Competitive Rounds

The ninth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival - SPA/File Photo
The ninth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival - SPA/File Photo
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Cultural Activities of King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Conclude with Over 320 Competitive Rounds

The ninth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival - SPA/File Photo
The ninth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival - SPA/File Photo

The ninth edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival concluded on Thursday with the Al-Fahl Al-Muntij competitions for the “Shaal,” “Safar,” and “Wadah” categories, marking the end of an exceptional event held under the theme “Pride of Its People.”

The festival aimed to elevate camels as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and as a source of both local and global pride and interest.
Spanning more than 30 days, the festival featured over 320 competitive rounds, including Mazayen, Hajij, Tabaa, and camel races.

The event showcased a variety of camel types, such as Majahim, Wadah, Shaqah, Hamr, Safar, Shaal, Asayel, Sawahel, and hybrid camels, according to SPA.
Dedicated categories were organized for both individual and group competitions, drawing extensive participation from camel owners across the Gulf region, the Arab world, and beyond. Notably, the festival featured the Princess Nourah’s Round, exclusively for women, highlighting their contributions to camel heritage.
The final day was a cultural celebration, with diverse activities for attendees. The cultural tent hosted various programs, including Hanna Lahaa performances, camel owners’ celebrations, and vibrant camel processions entering the Rimat gates to be showcased before judging panels. Presentations on algorithm-based judging stages captivated audiences, culminating in the announcement of results, which drew enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.