Diriyah – Asdaf News:
In collaboration with the National Centre for the Saudi Arda, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has completed the third iteration of the Diriyah Bayt Al Ardah Initiative. Ten finalists who excelled during the program’s training courses were honoured at the closing event, which was held close to the Prince Meshari bin Saud Palace at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.
The Diriyah Bayt Al Ardah Initiative seeks to inspire, educate, and empower young Saudis to actively contribute to the preservation and revival of Saudi Arabia’s cultural legacy.
The third iteration of the Diriyah Bayt Al Ardah project, which was split into two phases: a pre-qualification and training programme, followed by a final evaluation and closing ceremony, attracted 80 young Saudis between the ages of 12 and 17 years.
Ten contestants learned and honed their talents, including training and knowledge on the five essential components of Al Ardah performances: the Saudi flag, traditional costume, the sword dance, the drums, and the march. They then qualified for the final evaluation in this year’s competition. Based on DGDA’s mission to preserve Diriyah’s unique cultural legacy and local modes of expression, the programme is a component of a wider initiative to record the oral history of Diriyah.
The purpose of the closing event was to thank the participants for their efforts in learning about and preserving the ancient arts of the Kingdom.
The 10 finalists were honoured for their outstanding performance during the training sessions, commemorating their commitment to the Al Ardah art form and their study and embodiment of this significant component of culture, history, and traditional heritage.
