Saudi Aramco Eid special draws thousands

DHAHRAN: The 12-day cultural extravaganza organized by Saudi Aramco to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr at its headquarters here comes to an end on Thursday, Aug. 30.
The special event, open to all nationalities, has so far attracted 130,000 visitors. Some elements of the highly popular summer program were retained for the Eid festivities. The summer program was a rage attracting half-a-million visitors.
There is an array of entertaining and educational activities for just about everyone at Aramco Cultural Park opposite the Industrial Training Center (ITC).
“A specially made air-conditioned tent is dedicated for the arts and it included workshops and activities in drawing, carving, cartooning and 3D photography,” Mohammed Al-Kulaib, media coordinator for the Eid program, told Arab News yesterday.
The programs featured plays and contests for children as well as educational videos. “The 1001 Inventions Exhibition continued shedding light on the scientific heritage of the Islamic civilization,” he said.
In the Oasis Generation Tent, a wonderful exhibition continued to stimulate the minds and imaginations of children. “They picked up driving safety basics from Traffic Safety Signature Program Park and competed in the Robolympics,” said Al-Kulaib.
The highlight of the Eid program is the performance by 2012 Arabs Got Talent winners Khawater fi Zalam (Thoughts of Darkness).
“This is the celebrated Saudi illusionist group’s first performance after winning the coveted title in June in Beirut,” said Al-Kulaib. “Naturally, the 13-member group’s light show is a huge hit with the visitors.”
The Saudi Aramco Eid program coordinators are expecting a huge turnout today and tomorrow for the last two shows by Khawater fi Zalam. “They will be performing to a packed audience,” said Al-Kulaib.
Saudi Aramco has always taken the lead in enriching the lives of Saudi citizenry and the expatriate communities.
“As always, they have done an excellent job with these Eid festivities,” said Salah Al-Onaizy, a father of three young daughters. “My children insisted that we come here daily and I was more than happy to bring them here, and while they enjoyed the programs, I reveled in their happiness.”
His eldest daughter, Arwa, couldn’t hide her excitement. “Thank you, Baba, and thank you, Aramco,” she said and punctuated it with the upbeat thumbs-up gesture.
For program and location details, please log on to www.saudiaramco-cp.com.