JEDDAH: Tajik Culture Minister Shamsiddin Orumbekzoda and Ahmad Al-Mazid, chief executive of the Saudi General Council of Culture, on Saturday inaugurated the Saudi Cultural Days event in the Tajik Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet in the capital Dushanbe.
The inauguration, which began with a recital of Qur’anic verses, was also attended by Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Muhammed Al-Badi, and officials and intellectuals from both sides.
Orumbekzoda cut the ribbon and toured the stands, including ones for Arabic calligraphy, traditional costumes, fine arts, dates, Saudi Arabia and the Kaaba cloth (kiswah).
In a speech, he expressed his happiness about the Saudi initiative to organize the event in Tajikistan, stressing the depth of the historical relationship between the two countries.
Al-Mazid gave a speech in which he expressed his appreciation to King Salman and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for the cultural exchange between the two countries.
Al-Mazid referred to the organization of more than 11 stands by the General Council of Culture, and expressed his pride at the Kingdom being the first Arab country to organize cultural events in Tajikistan.
An exchange of souvenirs was followed by musical and folklore shows. The inauguration concluded with the Saudi folk dance. Saudi Cultural Days will continue until Tuesday.