Ithra Announces 36 Experiences to Celebrate Saudi National Day

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, will once again be lit up in green and white for Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day celebrations, running from September 22 to 26 with a five-day program exploring the Kingdom’s origins and its ambitions for the future. Entry to the Ithra building remains free, though some activities require tickets that can be booked on-site.

Tariq Al-Khawaji, a cultural consultant at Ithra, told Arab News this year’s celebrations form part of a rich and multifaceted program, one designed to honor national identity, present local culture through a contemporary lens, and breathe new life into the artistic and heritage elements that define Saudi Arabia, blending art, heritage and music into a single experience. He described Ithra, an Aramco initiative, as playing a central role in advancing the Kingdom’s cultural landscape, using culture as a tool for building knowledge, shaping identity, encouraging creative expression, and broadening opportunities for global cultural exchange.

This year’s theme, “Glory Through Our People,” centers on the evolution of culture and the merging of heritage with modernity. The celebrations open with a grand military parade before moving into a full program of 36 curated experiences. Among them, the “Inspired by Our Roots” workshop examines the distinct architectural styles found across the Kingdom’s regions, while “Saudi Calligraphy Art” sessions invite guests to engage directly with Arabic script. Technology plays a role too, with “Pride Salute,” a motion-sensing installation that turns military ceremonial movements into digital art, and “Who Leads the Rhythm,” a sonic experiment blending traditional Saudi instruments with contemporary electronic sound.

The festival also includes a curated lineup of Saudi films, among them “The Destination,” a documentary charting the Kingdom’s progress under Saudi Vision 2030, alongside new experimental films “Marjouj” and “Irtizaz.” At the Ithra museum, visitors can explore the ongoing exhibition “Bedayat: The Beginning of the Saudi Art Movement,” which traces the development of the national art scene from the 1960s through the 1980s, featuring work from prominent early Saudi artists alongside archival materials documenting how the country’s art has evolved over the decades.

Taking advantage of the cooler weather, the celebration also includes an open-air concert in Ithra’s Lush Garden, featuring live musical performances and traditional folk ensembles. The outdoor program spans a range of regional folk dances, including the Majrour of Taif, the Khabiti, the Khatwa of the South and the Rayeh of Bisha, along with the traditional Arda sword dance and the poetic, melodic Samri performance.

Al-Khawaji said Ithra views this cultural momentum as a platform for redefining local culture and extending its reach across the region and the world, through programming that weaves Saudi culture together with global cultural experiences, adding that the center remains committed to nurturing creative talent and deepening cultural partnerships with institutions across the Kingdom and beyond.

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