Saudi Ardah Dance Breaks New Guinness Record during Founding Day Celebrations
On Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day, festivities kicked off all around the Kingdom to observe this significant national occasion. Saudis mark this day with a showcase of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and culture, donning their traditional costumes, sharing delicious traditional dishes, drinking Saudi coffee, and enjoying folk music and dance shows, including the famous Ardah dance.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) and the Emirate of Riyadh Province organized Founding Day celebrations over four days, from February 20-23, 2025, drawing in large crowds exceeding 50,000 visitors, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The celebrations set a new Guinness World Record, with the largest Ardah performance, featuring 633 performers taking part in this captivating dance show.
This new achievement underscores the cultural significance of Ardah as one of the Kingdom’s deeply-rooted national traditions, demonstrating Saudis’ pride in their national identity and their commitment to preserving and promoting their popular heritage globally.
The Founding Day celebrations featured heritage zones and an exhibition which attracted a large number of visitors to explore the history of Saudi Arabia through visual displays and historical documents that highlight the journey of the Kingdom since its establishment.
The Saudi Founding Day, which falls on February 22 of each year, commemorates the establishment of the First Saudi State on the hands of Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727. Imam Muhammad bin Saud established a political entity to achieve unity, stability and prosperity in the Arabian Peninsula. He took Diriyah as the capital of this state, and the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) as its constitution.
