By Saida Mohamed
Falconry is one of humanity’s oldest practices, closely tied to the environment, identity and inherited knowledge. As a cultural tradition, it has endured in societies shaped by adaptation to nature and its resources. In Saudi Arabia, falconry has remained a living tradition, uninterrupted over generations, while evolving within a modern framework that has reorganized and elevated it to a disciplined global practice.
The transformation of falconry in the Kingdom reflects a shift from a purely inherited tradition to an integrated institutional model. Under this approach, a single entity oversees regulation, support and protection. The Saudi Falcons Club has played a central role in bringing falconry under one roof, establishing clear rules to govern competitions, protect the rights of falconers and safeguard the falcon environment, while preserving the deep cultural roots of the practice.
One of the clearest expressions of this transformation is the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025, which has developed into an international platform attracting falconers from Europe, Asia and beyond. The event has moved beyond a local scope to become a global gathering that brings together expertise and experience within a well-organized competitive setting, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position on the international falconry stage.
The festival’s structured approach to competition, including dedicated rounds for different falcon categories, has ensured fairness in judging and respect for the technical and aesthetic characteristics of each class. This organization has raised competitive standards and helped position falconry as a regulated activity governed by clear criteria, rather than individual interpretation or unstructured practice.
Economically, prize awards exceeding SR38 million ($10 million) underscore the scale of investment in the sector. They also highlight falconry’s evolution from a personal pastime into a comprehensive cultural and economic ecosystem, attracting high-caliber international participation and strengthening the festival’s global profile.
Overall, the Saudi experience stands out as a distinctive model that balances heritage preservation with professional competition management and international engagement. By uniting these elements within a single institutional framework that supports falconry, protects the falcon environment and regulates practice, the Kingdom has secured an advanced position globally in this field.
Through this model, Saudi Arabia presents falconry as a contemporary cultural practice that honors its historical roots while adapting to modern realities, demonstrating that heritage, when guided by clear vision, can play a meaningful role on the international stage without losing its value or symbolism.
