The Community College in Dammam which is affiliated with the University of Dammam evoked the essence of our past in an event which was inspired by the National Festival for Heritage and Culture in Al Janadria in Al Riyadh. 1200 students from various schools in the Eastern Province attended the event as well as Al Rayyan Campus colleges’ students, a number of deans, and the Vice Dean of Training, Development & Sustainable Education Dr. Mona Al Ghamdi. In the event a number of antique pieces were displayed to introduce and explain to its visitors the some aspects of the Kingdom’s national heritage.
Dr. Horia Al Otaibi, the Vice Dean of Program Affairs stated that “this event is very fascinating due to its connotations that remind us of our past. It is a profound reminder to that we should give great care to our heritage and culture. This 3 day event aims at affirming the relationship between our present and our past and to discover the differences between the two. In this event, the College displayed different cultural items such as; its foods, folk games, traditional cooking techniques, industry, blacksmithing, the techniques of producing textile and carpets with the help of craftswomen who brief the visitors on the traditional ways of industry.
Dr. Fawziah Al Shimmary, the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Community College in Dammam and the Coordinator of the event mentioned that “Al Janadria festival is considered one of the national heritage festivals that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen on holding every year during the spring, this festival is a historical and cultural occasion. This shows the deep interest of our wise leaders in our Arab heritage, culture, traditions, and values. One of the main goals of this event is to confirm our Arabian Islamic identity and to seek to preserve our culture and heritage for generations to come. This event was held for the first time in the College and it was accompanied by a bazaar which is consisted of various cultural shops that sell traditional products, an exhibition which displays different sections of the Kingdom and what distinguishes them and Ayam Zaman exhibition which displays a number of folk games presented by children.
