Founding Day celebrations sets Guinness World Record for Saudi Ardah performance

Six hundred thirty three people performed the traditional dance, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance in Riyadh during the Founding Day celebrations.

This accomplishment highlights the Ardah's longstanding importance as a national custom, demonstrating pride in Saudi identity and a dedication to conserving and advancing cultural heritage around the world, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The Founding Day celebration, which was hosted by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Principality of Riyadh Region from February 20 to 23, drew hundreds of thousands of people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The performance highlights the Kingdom's heritage and is given on major occasions. A poem is read aloud at the start, and then drummers set the dancers' rhythm.

The leader of the gang then takes the stage, brandishing a blade and making precise motions that resemble those of combatants.