Madinah Dates Season: A Vibrant Celebration of Saudi Culture
The scenic date palms of Madinah set the stage for a thrilling 10-kilometer race that drew nearly 2,000 participants over the weekend.
Organized as part of the Madinah Dates Season, the race kicked off at the Madinah National Park and meandered through the lush Khalil farms.
Competitors tackled three challenging routes, including one tailored for athletes with disabilities, with stages named after iconic local date varieties like anbarah, ajwa, berni, saqai, and majdool.
The event saw the enthusiastic participation of various volunteer groups and government entities, with a total of SR30,000 ($8,000) in prizes awarded to the top performers in each category.
The Madinah Dates Season exhibition, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the National Center for Palms and Dates, and the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, kicked off in early October.
As part of the exhibition, Camp Wrth for Handicrafts, organized by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), aims to educate and promote awareness of traditional Saudi arts.
The camp brings together 49 talented young individuals from various regions across the Kingdom, offering them a platform to learn traditional skills, engage in handicrafts, and create products inspired by local heritage.
Abdullah Alnazawi, a member of the Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Chamber, highlighted the region’s significant role in date production and export, showcasing the richness of Saudi culture to a global audience.
With over 28 date varieties exported, including ajwa, sukkari, safawi, anbara, sagai, majdool, barhi, barni, and mabroom, Madinah’s 27,000 farms play a crucial role in the industry’s success.
Alnazawi emphasized the government’s support under Vision 2030, with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture ensuring high-quality standards in every aspect of date production for global markets.
The exhibition showcases the harvest from over 29,000 regional farms, underscoring their vital contribution to food security strategies in the Kingdom.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the farming experience through a virtual reality area, gaining a deeper understanding of agricultural practices and environmental awareness.
Beyond the harvest displays, the exhibition features over 50 sales outlets, a tasting and cooking area, traditional handicrafts, and initiatives in the agricultural sector to support regional investors.
Lulu Walid, director of the Madinah Dates Season, described the event as a vibrant celebration of Saudi culture, with a unique visual identity reflecting the essence of Madinah’s date sector.
The season kicked off with auctions of premium dates and an AI hackathon with lucrative prizes, showcasing the rich heritage of Madinah’s date industry.
With 46 pavilions offering a variety of date products from local businesses and families, the exhibition fosters community support and promotes small industries, adding to the cultural tapestry of Saudi Arabia.