6th Crown Prince Camel Festival Opens at Taif Camel Square

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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6th Crown Prince Camel Festival Opens at Taif Camel Square

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Held under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the sixth edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival was set to kick off in Taif on Saturday.

The festival, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, will be held at the Taif Camel Square for one month, from August 10 to September 10.

Preliminary rounds will last for 12 days.

A large number of local and international camel owners are competing in the Mafarid, Haqqa, Laqaya, Jatha'a, Thanaya, Heil, Zamoul and Soudaniyat categories for prizes that topping SAR56 million.

Throughout the festival, 610 races will be held: 360 in the preliminary rounds and 250 in the final stages.

Minister of Sport and Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed for their support to the sports sector, in general, and camel racing, in particular, and for their dedication to preserving and enriching the Kingdom's cultural heritage.

Deputy President of the International Camel Federation, President of the Saudi Camel Federation and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee Prince Fahd bin Juluwi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaid also thanked the Crown Prince for patronizing the festival.



Abu Dhabi Gears Up to Host International Jazz Day 2025 Celebrations

The event will include a variety of concerts and educational and cultural initiatives. Photo: WAM
The event will include a variety of concerts and educational and cultural initiatives. Photo: WAM
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Abu Dhabi Gears Up to Host International Jazz Day 2025 Celebrations

The event will include a variety of concerts and educational and cultural initiatives. Photo: WAM
The event will include a variety of concerts and educational and cultural initiatives. Photo: WAM

Abu Dhabi is preparing to host the 2025 edition of International Jazz Day, a global event celebrated annually on April 30 in over 190 countries around the world, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Abu Dhabi has been selected as the Global Host City for this special celebration, which is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), WAM said.

The event will include a variety of concerts and educational and cultural initiatives, aimed at highlighting the impact of jazz music as a tool for artistic expression and creative freedom.

"We are delighted to celebrate International Jazz Day in Abu Dhabi, a city that has been designated a 'City of Music' by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This year’s edition will focus on Abu Dhabi’s creativity and rich heritage, while showcasing jazz’s ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

She added: "As a 'City of Music', Abu Dhabi is preparing to be a vibrant hub for this global celebration. Hosting the event will spotlight the city’s commitment to cultural exchange, education, and diversity, and it will play a central role in preserving and spreading jazz music in the region."

DCT Abu Dhabi will organize a five-week series of jazz concerts and educational programs, including the International Jazz Day 2025 “All-Star” Global Concert, which will be broadcast internationally from Etihad Arena, said WAM.

"By hosting International Jazz Day for the first time in its history, Abu Dhabi is achieving a milestone that complements its selection as a UNESCO 'City of Music'. This event reaffirms our commitment to promoting cultural unity, peace, and mutual understanding, and it is an opportunity to celebrate talented and creative musicians,” WAM quoted Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak as saying.

He added that the concert, led by legendary pianist Herbie Hancock and Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, will feature a lineup of jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists from around the world, including performers from the UAE, US, China, Morocco, India, and many other countries.

More artist names will be announced in the coming weeks.