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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Diriyah hosted the military parade on September 23 as part of Saudi National Day celebrations organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. Soldiers on horseback led the procession in orderly ranks along a single route toward Wadi Hanifah via Imam Abdulaziz bin Saud Road, where security personnel joined to create a display evoking solidarity. The event brought together symbols of horsemanship with modern security forces in a tribute to the values that shaped the Kingdom’s unification under King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.
This procession followed a path rich in historical associations, with the road named for Imam Abdulaziz bin Saud, an imam of the First Saudi State, and the destination at Wadi Hanifah closely linked to Diriyah’s settlement and growth. The Saudi Press Agency noted that the route converged landmarks from the area’s memory with the presence of security personnel on a day dedicated to the nation. Such elements served to connect the celebration directly to Diriyah’s foundational role in Saudi history.
In addition, a cycling parade took place in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, expanding the scope of national participation in the program. The festivities extended to a number of events held in the historic At-Turaif District and around Diriyah, according to the agency. These activities integrated history, location and public involvement into a unified commemoration.
The Diriyah Gate Development Authority organized the National Day program to feature activities across the historic area. Earlier Saudi Press Agency dispatches on comparable events described military marches involving more than 500 participants from armed forces branches, camel riders, horsemen and classic vehicles during the 95th National Day. The authority’s approach continues a pattern seen in prior years of blending traditional and contemporary elements in the celebrations.
At-Turaif District, the heart of Diriyah, functions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its testimony to the early Saudi state’s development, a designation granted in 2010. Cultural sessions in the district have focused on the unification journey of the Kingdom and the legacy of King Abdulaziz, who forged unity under a single banner. Performances of the Saudi Ardah with over 150 performers have featured in these observances, reciting patriotic poems.
The parade and associated events highlight Diriyah’s position as the birthplace of the Saudi state, where the foundations of what became the modern Kingdom were laid in the 18th century. Saudi Press Agency coverage of National Day events has illustrated how these commemorations reaffirm pride in deep-rooted foundations while aligning with the nation’s ongoing progress. Multiple regions across the Kingdom held parallel military and security parades, illustrating the nationwide scale of the commemorations.
