JEDDAH: The Phoenix Fire Dancers turned up the heat in more ways than one during their show Illuminaire, one of the world’s largest fire and light shows.
The troupe took to the stage at the Bay La Sun hotel and Marina in King Abdullah Economic City on February 28, having performed in a host of cities worldwide, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and New York.
Their show is a unique fusion of fire, lasers, pyrotechnics, projection, music, dance, ancrobatics and special effects. The influences behind its creation include mythology, ancient culture and visions of an enlightened future.
The show kicked off with four majestic drummers, who hyped up the crowd with a stirring rhythm. When the audience warmed up, a singer appeared on stage to sing some beautiful melodies.
Then the main acrobatic act began. Some performers juggled LED sticks, creating patterns in the air, all the while dancing with grace and class. Then fire jugglers and acrobats performed dangerous stunts that made the audience gasp and applaud.
Some acrobats gyrated in a Cyr wheel — a large metal hoop in which the performer stands and precisely rolls around the stage — while others dropped from the rafters on ribbons of fabric. Some performed elaborate breakdancing routines on the floor, or spun around on a hanging cube with their hands and feet aloft.
Props that enhanced the experience included bicycles with glowing wheels and drumsticks set on fire. The beautifully designed, vibrantly colored costumes, and the incredible stage set, were the cherries on top of this feast for the senses.
The show ended with all the acts together, the visual acts combining wonderfully with the brilliant choice of music and the singer’s voice to leave the audience delighted as the show ended with a bang.
The experience was captivating and magical. The audience loved it and left the theater with broad smiles.
“The reaction of the public was amazing,” said Obada Awad, the CEO of Timesentertainment. “We announced the show five days ago and it was sold out very quickly, in a city that is an hour away from Jeddah — so that says a lot about the people’s hunger for entertainment.
“We are getting a lot of support from the General Entertainment Authority in organizing many events. Everything we work on is the first [of its kind here], so it feels great making history in the entertainment sector and its amazing.
“It was very exciting and it was something new,” said Rania, who is Jordanian-American. “As a resident here I feel great about the change that I can see happening and I can’t wait to see what is next.”
Zahra, a Saudi citizen, added: “We have always seen shows on the television and couldn’t help but feel envious of the people there, but now we get to see such things brought to us by the government. It is very exciting and we are very happy about it.”
“It is a great opportunity for families, especially kids, to see new, creative things and grow up in an open environment,” said Hiba, a mother of two.
Illuminaire continues at Bay La Sun hotel and Marina in King Abdullah economic city until March 3.
Phoenix Fire Dancers enthral Saudis with scorching performance of fire and light
Phoenix Fire Dancers enthral Saudis with scorching performance of fire and light
Saudi Public Security to issue Makkah entry permit instructions on Saturday ahead of Hajj season
- General Directorate of Passports also said it had begun to issue electronic entry permits for workers in Makkah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Public Security said on Friday that it would issue instructions for residents wishing to obtain permission to enter Makkah ahead of Hajj season on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It also said any Saudi residents wishing to obtain a permit must do so from the relevant authorities and that those who fail to get the necessary permits will be prevented from entering the holy city.
Also on Friday, in an attempt to streamline entry procedures for residents during the Hajj season, the General Directorate of Passports said it had begun to issue electronic entry permits for workers in Makkah.
The digital service, facilitated through the Ministry of Interior’s online platform Absher and the Muqeem portal, will remove the need for in-person visits to passport offices and will allow those seeking entry permits to submit documents online.
Joint Saudi-US ‘Protection Shield IV’ drill begins
- The drill sought to heighten awareness of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks
DHAHRAN: In a display of strategic cooperation, the Eastern Region Command in Dhahran orchestrated the latest iteration of the joint Saudi-US exercise, “Protection Shield 4.”
Bringing together branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and a consortium of civilian and military government entities—including the Ministry of Defense’s health services, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the Ministry of Health, and the Saudi Red Crescent Authority—the drill aimed to bolster preparedness against potential threats of mass destruction.
Colonel Turki bin Salem Al-Sumairi, overseeing the participating mixed battalion, underscored the drill’s dual purpose: to enhance the operational capabilities of all involved and to foster seamless collaboration between Saudi and US forces. Furthermore, the drill sought to heighten awareness of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks.
Field exercises formed the crux of the event, testing the efficacy of national response plans in confronting scenarios involving weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, coordination and information exchange mechanisms were scrutinized to ensure swift and effective joint responses.
Simulated ammunition was employed during the drills to simulate crisis scenarios arising from the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, health services units from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, the Civil Defense, and the Saudi Red Crescent engaged in drills aimed at enhancing collaborative efforts and refining responses to chemical and biological incidents.
Asir region is first with launch of tourism identity
- Prince Turki said the slogan “Karam Al-Arouma” was inspired by the generosity and welcoming nature of the people of the region
Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has become the first in the Kingdom to create a regional tourism identity, accompanied by the slogan “Karam Al-Arouma,” or “the generosity of the people of Asir.”
Asir Gov. Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, who also heads the Asir Region Development Authority, launched the identity at an official ceremony organized by the authority and hosted by the Rijal Heritage Village in Rijal Almaa governorate.
“This identity has been in the works for quite a while. It’s a very exciting day for us to finally unveil this to the world. It’s going to help our marketing efforts both domestically and internationally,“ Hashim Al-Dabbagh, the authority’s CEO, told Arab News.
“The vision of the Asir region is to be a preeminent destination year-round, and having our own identity is a step in that direction,” he said.
Asir is seeking to become a global destination throughout the year, based on its authentic culture and wide range of natural attractions.
Prince Turki said the slogan “Karam Al-Arouma” was inspired by the generosity and welcoming nature of the people of the region.
The identity was supported by the launch of the “Discover Asir” tourism website under the umbrella of “Visit Saudi,” which will provide tourist information.
Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7.
The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.
Called “The Future of Judicial Training in the Era of Digital Transformation,” the event will delve into the prospects of training in the future. It will explore paths for enhancing training content; strategies for harnessing modern technology; artificial intelligence in judicial training; and effective methodologies for measuring the training’s impact.
Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum
TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum.
In the presence of the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy.
The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.
