German Pavilion at Janadriyah received more than 400,000 visitors

Germany was Guest Country at Al-Janadriyah Festival this year. “Germany was honored to have been chosen guest country for the most outstanding cultural heritage festival in Saudi Arabia,” said German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller, while speaking on the occasion of German national day.
It was a recognition of the excellent state of the bilateral relations, he added.
The German participation took place under the slogan “Germany--Land of Ideas”.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman opened the Janadariyah festival together with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir on Feb. 3, 2016.
The envoy said that Germany’s successful participation would not have been possible without the continuous support of the National Guard and their flexibility and determination to facilitate the participation at such a grand scale.
According to counts of the German Embassy, more than 15,000 visitors entered daily in the German Pavilion situated at the center of the festival site.
About the same number watched the events and performances on the outside stage of the German Pavilion. All in all 15 groups and individual artists from different genres of art, culture and tradition performed during more than 80 occasions either on the main stage or inside the pavilion.

Among them were traditional folk musicians like the women “Zwirbeldirn”, football freestylers or bands like the “Fun Horns” or “Mellow Maroc”. These performances enable the Saudi public to learn more about Germany and experience the rich diversity of German culture and traditions.
Referring to the participation of Germany as a guest country, Hall said that “Germany was seeking a dialogue with the people of Saudi Arabia…our goal was to promote mutual understanding of each other’s culture.”
One of the main attractions was an exhibition about female pioneers in science and technology from Germany as well as the Arab and Islamic world which was put together in cooperation with Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah.
Another highlight was the visit of famous traditional Saudi singers, who performed their art inside the German Pavilion. It is important to mention that the German Foreign Office initiated the project of the German pavilion together with the place branding initiative “Germany — Land of Ideas” and the Goethe-Institute. Partners from the German private sector were the Airbus Group, the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, DETASAD, Deutsche Bank, Dorsch Gruppe, Herrenknecht, GIZ, Lufthansa, Luerssen, SAP, Siemens, V-Line and Volkswagen.
Allianz Saudi Fransi took the task of the official insurer of the event and Kempinski Burj Rafal acted as the hospitality partner. The pavilion was designed as a time travel through a typical German city. The pavilion’s visit began at a medieval city gate. Visitors then experienced a historical market proceeding into modern German life and houses. Shops along the street housed various German companies and their innovative products and craftsmanship. At the end of the pavilion, visitors could take a look into the future.
Referring to the growing ties between the Kingdom and Germany, Michael Ohnmacht, deputy chief of German mission, said that “the two countries have reported progressively growing relations in different sectors.”
Germany was chosen by the Kingdom to be the guest country for Janadariyah because of strong cordial ties the two nations have been enjoying through the years.
Overall, a record 1.15 million people including expatriates visited the high-profile Janadriyah Heritage and Culture Festival early this year.
The 18-day long festival was inaugurated by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Feb. 3 with Germany as the guest country.
“The Janadriyah festival showcased the rich Saudi traditions, heritage and the exotic aura of desert life,” Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, minister of National Guard, said in a statement.
Describing it as “an enormous success and a great honor” for Germany to have been chosen as the guest country, Ohnmacht said: “It is a recognition of the excellent state of our bilateral relations to be a special guest for the most outstanding cultural festival in Saudi Arabia.”