Hail – The third edition of the Bait Hail Festival, themed “Your Home, Yaba’ad Hayi,” held at Aja Park, has attracted numerous visitors and tourists from both within and outside the region, thanks to its diverse array of traditional Saudi dishes. These culinary offerings represent a significant aspect of Saudi heritage and enjoy a large following.
Yousef Al-Sebaie, a vendor specializing in traditional foods, has been practicing his craft for nearly 13 years, preparing dishes live in front of festival-goers. Al-Sebaie noted that what sets traditional dishes apart is the unique blend of spices, which require significant expertise to balance perfectly for each dish, resulting in delightful flavors and aromas. He highlighted that traditional foods have gained immense popularity, with older generations favoring dishes like marqooq, matazeez, harees, and hanini, while younger people and women prefer qursan, various types of jareesh, and Hail-style rice.
Al-Sebaie emphasized the importance of preserving and protecting Saudi heritage and traditions. He believes in instilling the rich and valuable concept of Saudi heritage in the youth. He pointed out that traditional foods in Saudi Arabia are highly distinctive and have become a dietary staple for the community, regardless of their social or economic backgrounds.
