Expats rue lack of non-Arabic entertainment

JEDDAH: Thousands of expatriates living in Jeddah, who are non-Arabic speakers, were excited about the monthlong 36th Jeddah Festival.
The Jeddah and summer festivals this year had a number of theatrical events, entertainment programs, fireworks, artistic performances, competitions, games, two international circuses and folklore shows. However, all events were in Arabic. There was none for non-Arabic speakers.
Even the Madagascar Live theatrical show, based on the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation film, from Aug. 5 to 10 at Al-Harithy Exhibition Center, is only for families and will be presented in Arabic.
Sheela Mujahid, a mother of three, said that the family found it very difficult to find anything interesting for them as all the programs and activities were in Arabic.
“We know that Saudi Arabia is an Arabic-speaking country, but a number of expatriates who are non-Arabic speaking live in Jeddah and there should be a few programs for those who don’t understand Arabic,” she said. “It makes us feel like outsiders, which we are.”
Another visitor, Michael Reinfeld, said he and his family came to see the Jeddah laser show and theatrical programs. “But all of it was in Arabic.”
“I came here with my family to enjoy the theater performances but there was nothing we could enjoy. The SR35 entrance ticket per person was very reasonable but was of no use because all the shows were in Arabic. All dialogues were in Arabic. I wish they had something in English,” said Reinfeld.