Ardha Al-Janoub festival opens

Baha Gov. Prince Mishari bin Saud inaugurated the first Ardha Al-Janoub cultural festival in the province on Saturday evening with the participation of folk troupes from Baha and Namas.
The national program, which is being held in the city of Qura, is one of the activities of the 40-day Baha Tourism Festival.
While opening the festivities, the governor said: “We are keen to protect the Kingdom’s heritage.”
He highlighted the government’s efforts to boost the country’s progress and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The Baha tourism festival comprises 26 programs including cultural and sports events, an exhibition of products made by cottage industries and a health show.
The Education Ministry will organize a painting exercise for children in Raghdan while the Youth Welfare Presidency will organize a sports-for-all event at King Saud Sports City.
In Qura, 13 activities will be conducted, including a number of sports activities.
The literary club in Baha will organize a cultural evening in Maashouka while a cultural caravan will be held in Mandak.
Meanwhile, an international honey festival was held in Baljurashi recently with the participation of 50 exhibitors from within the Kingdom and abroad.
The Beekeepers Cooperative Society organized the festival in cooperation with the Abdullah Bughshan Chair for Bee Research at King Saud University.
The festival aimed to enhance the level of knowledge among beekeepers about the industry and help them market their products by making them aware of various marketing and packaging techniques.
Participants included beekeepers from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Sudan and Ethiopia.
The Turkish Beekeepers Federation was the guest of honor for this year’s festival.
Different kinds of honey including Sidr, Samra, Saif and Talha were on display.