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RIYADH: The fourth Otaiqah Dates Season has been launched to promote ��������’s date industry, which contributes around 12 percent to the country’s agricultural gross domestic product and exports to more than 113 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Held in Riyadh’s Otaiqah Central Market, the event is organized by Riyadh Development Company in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the National Center for Palms and Dates, and supported by Riyadh Municipality.

The Culinary Arts Commission and the Saudi Tourism Authority, through the Visit Saudi platform, are also participating.

Running for four months during the date harvest, it is the Kingdom’s longest seasonal date market, bringing together traders, farmers, and consumers from across Saudi regions.

A dedicated children’s area offers educational and recreational activities such as palm planting, workshops, and interactive plays.

Additional features include cultural performances and food trucks offering traditional dishes in a community setting.

MADINAH: Dr. Wafaa Al-Tajal, a researcher and consultant in early childhood education, has said that culture is a key factor in building children’s personalities, highlighting its pivotal role in developing their intellectual and social skills.

During her participation in a dialogue seminar on the role of culture in shaping a child’s personality, which was held at the Madinah Book Fair, she emphasized the importance of cultural activities such as reading, theater, and visual arts in honing children’s talents and building self-confidence.

She also noted the role of these activities in instilling human values and tolerance, as well as in preserving cultural heritage and traditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Enhancing children’s language skills, she added, is a significant step toward developing their intellectual and creative personalities by focusing on useful vocabulary and communication skills, as well as helping their ability to express themselves and interact with their surroundings.

Al-Tajal said that these developmental opportunities can be maximized through a supportive environment and the active roles of both the family and school in fostering a sense of belonging.

The Little Craftsman pavilion at the fair has become a major attraction for both young visitors and their parents.

As part of the fair’s cultural program, the interactive pavilion offers workshops designed to teach children simple handicrafts while cultivating essential life skills.

Led by a team of expert trainers, the workshops provide easy-to-follow instructions that enable children to apply their newly acquired skills in a creative and supportive environment.

The initiative aims to enhance manual dexterity and artistic expression while promoting values such as self-reliance and patience, and giving the satisfaction of creating something by hand.

Parents and visitors have praised the pavilion, noting its unique educational and emotional impact on children, according to the SPA.

The fair’s children’s theater is also a major attraction, offering daily entertainment and educational experiences designed to foster cultural and emotional values.

Activities include storytellers narrating tales with profound meanings, followed by discussions to deepen understanding and encourage participation.

Another space features a grandmother figure who shares popular proverbs, instilling lessons of wisdom and respect for cultural roots.

A puppet theater takes children on a journey to a treasure chest where they discover that knowledge itself is the true treasure.

Through this diverse program the fair transforms the children’s experience into an emotional and educational journey, building a new relationship between the younger generation and their cultural heritage.

The fair runs until Aug. 4 at the King Salman International Convention Center, and boasts the participation of more than 300 local, regional, and international publishing houses and agencies.