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Closing Festival of 'Year of the Camel' Kicks Off in Riyadh

The festival offers a memorable conclusion to the Year of the Camel
The festival offers a memorable conclusion to the Year of the Camel
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Closing Festival of 'Year of the Camel' Kicks Off in Riyadh

The festival offers a memorable conclusion to the Year of the Camel
The festival offers a memorable conclusion to the Year of the Camel

The closing festival for the “Year of the Camel 2024,” organized by the Ministry of Culture, began on Thursday at Laysen Valley in Riyadh. Spanning three days, the event celebrates camels as cultural icons and integral elements of Saudi Arabia’s heritage.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, the festival will highlight initiatives, milestones, and events that have amplified the cultural significance of camels and their legacy throughout 2024. It is designed to engage children, families, and tourists with an array of activities and experiences.
On the opening day, notable attractions include the “Camel Trails Parade,” a grand spectacle showcasing the authenticity of Saudi heritage and the historical and cultural importance of camels. Another highlight is “Al-Wajna,” a visually captivating 3D exhibit depicting the beauty of camels in their natural environments.
Visitors can also explore “Camp Hump,” a unique area offering camel-back journeys, or experience the “Light Projection” show, which features a stunning visual display celebrating the enduring bond between camels and humans.
The festival features a dedicated pavilion for the “Year of the Camel,” offering an immersive cultural journey through the year’s most notable initiatives. The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language will host an interactive pavilion that emphasizes the cultural and historical significance of camels in Arab heritage and their central role in Saudi culture.
Families will enjoy the “Mazyouna Initiative,” where children can engage in creative activities such as painting, photography, and interactive games. Additionally, live performances by skilled artisans will showcase traditional camel-related crafts, reflecting their exceptional expertise.
Food enthusiasts can savor diverse culinary offerings at the festival’s food court, which features restaurants, cafes, and vibrant vendors selling camel-related products.
The three-day celebration at Laysen Valley is more than just a festival—it is a cultural milestone. With immersive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and a vibrant atmosphere, the event ensures every visitor departs with a deeper connection to Saudi Arabia’s heritage and identity. Serving as a tribute to camels as timeless symbols of unity, strength, and tradition, the festival offers a memorable conclusion to the “Year of the Camel.”

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Culture

Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)

Sumo will stage a tournament in Paris for the first time in over three decades next year in a push to expand the ancient sport beyond Japan, organizers said Sunday.

Accor Arena, which hosted basketball and gymnastics events at last year's Paris Olympics, will stage a two-day competition featuring top wrestlers in the French capital in June 2026.

Japan Sumo Association (JSA) officials announced last month that they will also stage a tournament later this year at London's Royal Albert Hall -- the first overseas sumo competition in 20 years.

"It's important for us to show our sport to the world," JSA chairman Hakkaku told reporters at Tokyo's Kokugikan, where the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament is currently taking place.

"And for the wrestlers, they're the best in the world, they should be proud of that and see that they're admired all over the world."

Paris hosted sumo tournaments in 1986 and 1995 at the invitation of former French president Jacques Chirac, who was known to be a huge fan of the centuries-old sport.

Hakkaku, who competed at the 1986 Paris event, said he was "grateful for the long and deep relations between sumo and France".

"We feel renewed joy and great responsibility as we prepare for our third performance in Paris in 2026," he said.

"We are committed to fully sharing the charm of sumo... with the French people."

French organizers said they would pull out all the stops to recreate the atmosphere of a sumo tournament in Japan.

David Rothschild, promoter and executive producer for events organizers AEG, said the Paris tournament would be part of a "festival" celebrating Japanese culture.

"When you say the word sumo, everyone in France knows it represents traditional Japanese culture," he said.

"There was a time when it was shown on TV and there are people in France who are very knowledgeable about it," Rothschild added.

"But time flies and we want to introduce the beauty of sumo to a new generation."

Sumo has staged events in several countries around the world, including the Soviet Union, Mexico and the United States.

The last overseas tournament organized by the JSA was in Las Vegas in 2005.

Hakkaku, the JSA chairman, said the association's efforts to bring sumo to audiences abroad were meant to "introduce people to the traditional culture of Japan".

"We thought a lot about how to develop our sport after Covid and I think this was the best idea, but it was already in our plans before that," he said.