The celebration of Saudi Founding Day at Qasr Al-Hukm Palace in Riyadh set a historical world record for the largest group performance of the Saudi Ardah.A whopping 925 participants performed Ardah, the traditional Saudi sword dance, in a national artistic performance that embodied a spellbinding fusion of art and folk. The event took place on February 15, 2026, for Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day memorial, where the Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar, the Deputy Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and more than a hundred other princes were in attendance.The celebration was held under the patronage of Emir Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Bandar and Deputy Emir Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and was organised by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Riyadh Region Governorate.The event underlined Saudi Ardah’s position as one of the most significant expressions of the kingdom’s cultural identity. It also reflected the ongoing efforts to showcase national heritage in a highly organised manner that fits international standards and recognition, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s global presence. In 2025, the same feat had been achieved with 633 performers, certified by Guinness World Records.February 22 was designated a national celebration in 2022 by a royal decree from King Salman, who sought to highlight the historic leadership of Imam Mohammed bin Saud, credited with establishing the Saudi state in Diriyah in 1139 AH (1727 CE).
