Diriyah Celebrates Winners of Folk Dance Initiative
Diriyah Celebrates Winners of Folk Dance Initiative.
RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority recently concluded the third edition of its folk dance initiative, the Diriyah House of Ardah, as part of its efforts to promote the ancient art form.
The ceremony was held at the At-Turaif World Heritage Site to honor 10 finalists out of 80 participants.
Ardah is registered in the UNESCO List of World Intangible Cultural Heritage.
It is a traditional Saudi dance that features a chant used to rouse warriors.
Performers, dressed in traditional costumes, dance with swords to the beat of drums.
The Ardah represents Saudi loyalty and pride.
In cooperation with the National Center for Saudi Ardah, the initiative trains young people with the help of skilled performers in the art of Ardah to enhance their role in reviving the cultural heritage of the Kingdom.
The training program is the first of two phases of the initiative, followed by an evaluation stage and a closing ceremony.
Participants are aged between 12 and 17.
The ceremony began with a welcoming of guests at the gate of At-Turaif, followed by an anthem and a royal greeting before the beginning of the Ardah performance.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, delivered a speech after the opening performance.
He highlighted the commitment of the commission in preserving and fostering the cultural and historical identity of the Kingdom.
Inzerillo hailed the success of the initiative as well as the performers who took part in its third edition.
Dr. Badran Al-Honaihen, cultural and historical validation director at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, discussed the history of the initiative before the closing Ardah dance and honoring of the winning performers.
The event also included a welcoming of guests at the gate of At-Turaif, followed by an anthem and a royal greeting before the beginning of the Ardah performance.
Saudi Arabian Cultural Attaché to the United Kingdom, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Al-Sharif, also attended the event as a special guest.