RIYADH: The future for the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is bright as the Kingdom witnesses rapid transformations. The major cities — Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam — have recently seen big crowds turn up for events organized by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), which partners with various national and international organizations.
The GEA has organized events such as the Spirit of the Dance global band’s show at the King Fahd Cultural Center last week; the first ever Groovz Jazz Festival at the Golf Club, InterContinental Hotel; an opera show at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University; and a talk session with Hollywood superstar John Travolta at the iconic APEX Convention Center in the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center.
These events will help to develop the entertainment industry in the Kingdom to provide quality entertainment as proposed under Vision 2030.
A feature-length animated children’s film was screened at a makeshift cinema in a cultural hall in Jeddah in January and full-scale movie theaters could open soon as authorities finalize regulations.
Speaking to Arab News on Tuesday, Raif Al-Bukhari, manager of Mizan, a Saudi band from Alkhobar that only started last October and performed at the Kingdom’s first-ever jazz festival, described these initiatives as “very encouraging” for the entertainment industry as well as for budding artists.
“I am extremely grateful for this rapid transformation allowing us to perform before our people,” he said. “Our band has all the opportunities to grow and carve a niche for ourselves. The doors are finally open, and it is really exciting to foresee a rising star in us, and a bright future for the entertainment sector in the Kingdom.
“Thanks to the GEA-supported events last month, we have been performing almost every week now,” said the Mizan manager.
“Hopefully this momentum will continue in the long term and offer more opportunities for all artists to practice their passion for music,” he said. “The creative community in Saudi Arabia has so much to offer to the world. I do hope to perform outside the Kingdom sooner rather than later.”
Saudi artist Kamal Almualem told Arab News: “I am very happy to see these changes in the Kingdom to help promote art and culture. There is a lot more coming, a number of activities and exhibitions are planned for this year.” Almualem is a painter and sculptor who has participated in various international art exhibitions including the Changcheng and Chongqing International Sculpture exhibition in China.
The GEA last month announced that it will host an unprecedented number of events throughout the Kingdom this year — the most diverse lineup of entertainment ever seen in Saudi Arabia with more than 5,000 live shows, festivals and concerts planned across 56 cities.
Ahmed Al-Khatib, GEA chairman, said: “Our objective is to provide quality entertainment at a world level.”
The 2018 entertainment calendar is the most diverse line-up of live entertainment ever seen in the Kingdom, ranging from musicals and shows for all the family to stand-up comedy and live performances from some of the biggest names in the world, he said. “We very successfully organized various entertainment events in Riyadh and Jeddah in 2017 and will continue to do so in a much better way in 2018.”
Artists see bright future for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector
Artists see bright future for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector
Work to save Historic Jeddah District buildings completed with SR50m donation from crown prince
RIYADH: Historic buildings in Jeddah on the verge of collapse have been saved by a Ministry of Culture project, funded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The ministry, through its Historic Jeddah Program, announced the completion of the work on the “architecturally important” buildings
The project was completed with the support of SR50 million riyals at the private expense of the crown prince, SPA reported.
The Historic Jeddah District contains more than 600 buildings, including 36 historical mosques and five old market sites, as well as ancient squares and sites with important historical connotations, such as the Waterfront, which were main routes for Muslim pilgrims.
They are being rebuilt and redeveloped to tell visitors of the story of the Hajj since the dawn of Islam.
As per directives from the crown prince, the work was carried out by five specialist companies based in Saudi Arabia, under the supervision of technicians with experience in preserving historical buildings.
The project was carried out according to the unique design and distinctive urban structure of the Historic Jeddah District and required expert technicals as some buildings, which belong to established Jeddah families, contain archaeological features dating back 500 years.
Saudi Arabia to be guest of honor at Beijing Book Fair
BEIJING: The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the China National Publications Import and Export Group Corporation have signed a contract to host Saudi Arabia as the guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair, to be held this year between June 19 and 23 in the Chinese capital.
The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission CEO Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, and officials from the Chinese side.
Saudi participation in the fair is astep toward strengthening cultural exchange, boosting cooperation in literature, culture, and the arts, and promoting dialogue and boosting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Several other Saudi entities will participate in the fair to highlight the heritage, knowledge, and cultural diversity of the Kingdom through a diverse cultural program, including seminars, dialogue sessions, workshops, and artistic performances.
The Kingdom was the guest of honor at the New Delhi International Book Fair, held between Feb. 10 and 18; and will be the guest of honor, after Beijing, at the Seoul International Book Fair, from June 26 to 30, 2024.
Saudi Green Initiative in Makkah aims to promote sustainable development, afforestation
RIYADH: The State Properties General Authority has provided the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Alahyaa Centers Association with seedlings produced at its agricultural nursery in Makkah.
The contribution is part of the authority’s efforts to support sustainable development and afforestation while upgrading the vegetation cover, and took place on Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27.
Schemes include building and operating an agricultural nursery and equipping it with the newest systems to enhance production capacity and create an enabling environment for plant growth.
The project has led to the creation of 110,000 square meters of green spaces within the authority’s government compounds in Makkah, in addition to the distribution of plants, large trees and shrubs to more than 40 government entities.
The authority said that the nursery’s annual production includes 1.2 million plants that bloom in winter and in summer; 200,000 perennials and vines; 20,000 outdoor trees; 30,000 shrubs; and 5,000 indoor plants.
Saudi, Azerbaijani ministers discussed climate action cooperation
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met in Jeddah Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of ecology and natural resources, and also president of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The COP29 Conference takes place in November in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The two ministers discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of climate action. They also spoke about working together to achieve the goals and principles of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement.
The parties also looked at the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives to address the effects of climate change.
Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China
- The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced on Thursday the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, at the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch in Beijing, Saudi Press Agency reported.
This award aims to acknowledge the efforts of researchers, artists and translators from both countries, offering grants to support their continuing work. It is designed to spur enhanced collaboration and shared creative efforts.
The award includes several categories — cultural research and studies, artistic and creative works, translations, and a cultural personality of the year from each country, recognizing significant contributions to culture.
Additional categories target young researchers, creators and translators, encouraging youth engagement in cross-cultural communication. An annual ceremony will highlight the cultural achievements and award winners.
The award will promote creative cooperation and cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and China by highlighting the two countries’ achievements in the academic, cultural, media, literary and artistic communities.
It will culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent and announcing the winners in each category.
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah said that the award was a critical component in bridging cultural divides and strengthening ties between China and Saudi Arabia through the arts, literature and academic research.
Individuals from Saudi Arabia and China, as well as government, private and non-profit institutions, may submit nominations. They can be submitted by filling out the nomination form, which will be posted on the award website.
On the same day, the Saudi Film Commission, a government body under the culture ministry, signed a framework memorandum of understanding with China’s Bona Film Group to explore collaborative opportunities in movie distribution, exhibition and talent development.
Bona Film Group, founded in 1999, has emerged as one of China’s leading movie distribution and production companies.
The signing ceremony in Beijing was attended by Prince Badr, Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Eyaf, and Bona Film Group CFO Qi Zhi.
The MoU outlines key areas of cooperation, such as investment in the film industry, the possibility of establishing a joint film fund dedicated to cinematic endeavors, and collaboration on Saudi film distribution in China. It also looks into talent development opportunities for Saudi filmmakers through Bona Film Group productions and Chinese film education institutions.
In accordance with this agreement, the Film Commission intends to develop the movie industry, improve local production and showcase Saudi productions. The commission also promotes investment, content production, talent development and regulatory frameworks.
The historic agreement reflects the commission’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and leveraging cultural exchanges as a key component of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.