Buraidah: The Klija Festival in Buraidah represents a vibrant economic event embraced by local residents and families working in the cottage industry. It highlights the region's cultural heritage while transforming creative ideas into entrepreneurial opportunities that support product marketing and open pathways to regional and global markets. According to Saudi Press Agency, the festival has also become a platform for investment and economic attraction, as well as a hub for creativity and tourism excellence. Supervisor of the festival Mohammed Al-Hanaya said the initiative launched by the region's governor 17 years ago to establish the festival as an annual event was the primary catalyst behind Buraidah's recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. He noted that the festival played a key role in establishing Klija as Buraidah's signature baked product within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network's gastronomy framework, which aims to showcase the rich culinary heritage and traditional food culture.
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