Top 15 things to do at the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix

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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
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A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. (General Sports Authority)
Updated 13 December 2018
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Top 15 things to do at the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix

  • A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival
  • The event plays host to a range of events for all ages

RIYADH: A ticket to the race is your key to unlocking a host of exhilarating, inspiring and unique activities across the three-day festival. Here’s 15 reasons to buy yours from SAR395 here.

Racing action…
At the heart of the event is the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix race on December 15. You’ll get to watch 22 drivers from around the world battle it out on the track from your seat in the multi-tiered grandstand, giving you the best views. Live commentary and dedicated video screens will complete your race experience.

‘Live in Ad Diriyah’ it’s six of the biggest names in music
Three nights of amazing acts, with two global superstars on stage each night. Chose from Enrique Iglesias and Jason Derulo on Thursday, December 13, The Black Eyed Peas and Amr Diab on December 14, or be part of the epic after-race concert on December 15 with the world’s favorite DJ David Guetta and US smash act OneRepublic performing for crowds in a family-friendly unsegregated concert zone. Buy a ticket for a single night, or for all three and witness music history in the Kingdom.


Relax and leave the car at home
For single day and three-day Grandstand ticket holders a ‘Park & Ride’ service will operate from King Saud University. Also shuttle buses from a number of locations across Riyadh with pick up points at Al Faysalaih, Narcissus Hotel, the Hyatt Regency, Four Seasons, Holiday Inn Al Maydan, Holiday Inn Olaya, Aloft hotel, Movenpick Riyadh Hotel, Mariott King Saud Rd Hotel, Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Panorama Mall and Riyadh Park Mall. Important — there is restricted access to Ad Diriyah for single day and three-day Grandstand ticket holders with parking passes required. Check ticket details for further information.

A totally unique retail experience…
A first of its kind in Saudi, renowned shopping destination Harvey Nicholls is creating five unique ‘pop up’ stores at Ad Diriyah for race-goers. One store will feature the work of local designers and evening wear, another contemporary clothes and designer collections, a third for children’s wear, another for men’s wear and lastly a popup cosmetics store.

Take a trip back in time…
Appropriately for the UNESCO heritage site that was Saudi Arabia’s first capital, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK) is creating a time capsule tunnel that showcases the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


Enjoy the future of entertainment in the Allianz eVillage…
Formula E’s fan zone features everything from the spectacular podium ceremony to the crowd-pleasing autograph session with drivers. With giant screens offering action from the race, the eVillage also hosts augmented and virtual reality attractions

Get your culture on…
Experience Saudi Arabia’s Intangible cultural heritage, music and contemporary art in the cultural zone. Learn about the Kingdom’s traditional dress, be enchanted by Arabic storytelling, learn how Arabic coffee is made, indulge in hand Henna and be transported by musicians, artists, sculpture and galleries. It’s your chance to discover Saudi Arabia’s hidden cultural jewels.


Entertainment for all the family…
Let your children be delighted by walking trees and hummingbirds and butterflies on stilts in the entertainment zone, while Oud, Qanoun and Rababa players set the tone with tradition Saudi Arabian music.

Visit the Souq
Ad Diriyah will host a traditional Souk, where merchants will do business and craftsmen perform their skills before the visitors. From jewelry making to traditional embroidery, silverwork, carpentry and stone grinding to the chance to ride a camel. Actors will make the past come alive in the Souk.

A Jeddah dining institution comes to Ad Diriyah…
Anyone from Jeddah can tell you about Shababik, a Lebanese restaurant which has become a mainstay on the social dining scene. For the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix they are re-creating the entire restaurant for race goers.

Renowned Japanese cuisine, via London, to Ad Diriyah…
The award-winning Nozomi brings an exciting and unique dining experience from Knightsbridge, London to the heart of the racing action. Is flagship Riyadh restaurant will ‘popping up’ to serve contemporary Japanese cuisine.


Classic Italian dining amid an ancient site and a futuristic sport…
Cipriani Riyadh, known its signature Italian cuisine will welcome guests to its innovative new restaurant, created especially for the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix.

Eat and be entertained by lasers…
For all guests dining in any of the bespoke pop up restaurants (open from 1pm to 12am) there will be a laser show in the Turaif district opposite to add visual spice to the experience.


Stay refreshed, keep shopping…
Food and beverage offerings throughout the 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix site will keep you refreshed and as you explore keep an out for more boutique stall

Long opening hours
Your ticket buys you acres of time to make sure you access each, and every, activity. On Thursday the site opens on Thursday, December 13, from 4pm; on Friday, December 14, from 2pm; and on race day, Saturday December 15, from 10am.

For more information about 2018 ‘Saudia’ Ad Diriyah E-Prix including schedule and tickets, please click here.Tickets can also be purchased at point of sale units in Riyadh Park Mall, Oud Square and Doos Carting (only Grandstand tickets from Doos) and Seven Car Lounge.


Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

Updated 05 May 2024
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Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

  • Saudi band Wasted Land emerged as champions of the 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Middle East

JEDDAH: Wacken Metal Battle Middle East arrived in Jeddah’s Makan Music Center on Friday night, providing a platform for local metal bands to showcase their musical prowess.

The battle of the bands event featured Jaheem, Volfram, Kaizer, and Wasted Land aiming for top spot, creating a memorable experience for regional metal fans.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Wacken Metal Battle Middle East — supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi, and a competition connected with Germany famous Wacken music festival — featured a jury of music experts and international guests, including judges from Germany, who evaluated the bands based on technical ability, song composition, and musical interpretation. They also took into account the band’s uniqueness, stage presence, audience interaction, execution of sound checks, communication, punctuality, and overall attitude.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wacken Metal Battle Middle East was supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi Arabia, and a competition connected with Germany’s famous Wacken music festival.

• Saudi band Volfram described the night as a ‘unique and unforgettable experience.’

The jury selected Wasted Land as the champions of the competition, meaning they now have the chance to perform at the Wacken festival, which takes place annually in Hamburg. Adding to the excitement, the winners of the 2023 event, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind also took to the stage as guest performers.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Promoter Monika Bremer said, “Since its inception 10 years ago, Metal Battle Middle East has provided numerous emerging bands with the opportunity to showcase their talent and advance their careers. This anniversary edition is an important milestone for the regional metal scene.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, emerging metal bands have the opportunity to participate in this competition and gain valuable experience,” she added.

Emad Ashor, guitarist and vocalist of Jeddah-based death metal outfit Immortal Pain and one of the judges at the event, said, “Talent, passion, and professionalism are key. This platform allows all bands to explore new experiences and pursue their dream of victory.”

Karim Mounir, composer and bassist of Erasing Mankind, who was also a judge at the event, said: “Wacken is all about embracing the present moment and fostering camaraderie between bands and the audience. Live performances truly distinguish bands, and the Saudi metal scene’s exceptional talent and musicianship have demonstrated their worthiness for such a significant event.

“The band that can most effectively captivate Wacken’s lively and inclusive crowd would be a perfect representative from the Middle East.”

Saudi band Volfram described the night as a “unique and unforgettable experience.”

Reflecting on the band’s journey to the final of the Wacken Metal Battle, a member of Kaizer said, “Being part of this competition is an honor in itself, and sharing the stage with incredible bands is an experience we will always treasure.

“Kaizer is just beginning and has so much more to offer. Our goal is to represent the Saudi metal scene in the most intense and impactful way possible. Earning the title of Jeddah’s Heaviest Music from the crowd is a recognition we deeply appreciate.”

 


Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

Since her arrival, Margo Marsden has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. (Supplied)
Updated 04 May 2024
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Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

  • “True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News

RIYADH: Margo Marsden relocated to Saudi Arabia two years ago when her husband — a British oil and gas engineer — accepted a job in the Kingdom. Since her arrival, she has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. Her TikTok profile states she is a “Russian mother married to British father … living blissfully in Saudi Arabia.”

“True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News. “Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan. In my view, Saudi Arabia stands as the premier destination for living in 2024.”

Marsden was born and raised in Kazakhstan before moving to Russia with her parents when she was 14 years old. She lived in several countries before relocating to Saudi Arabia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Turkiye, Lebanon, Thailand, the UK, and Norway.

Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

Margo Marsden, Russian stylist in KSA

Marsden had worked in Riyadh for a month in 2019 with fashion retailer Zara during Ramadan, and when her husband told her about his job offer, she was thrilled at the prospect of visiting the Kingdom again.

“I love it here, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with local and expat women, to elevate their confidence and refine their fashion identity,” she said.

Marsden now has more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry. It’s a passion that began in her childhood, when she would meticulously craft outfits for her Barbie dolls with her mother’s guidance.

Marsden said she worked as a model — treading catwalks in Russia, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand — before moving into the business side of the industry, studying fashion design at Accademia Italiana in Bangkok and personal styling at the London College of Style. She has worked as a buyer, content creator and stylist.

“My artistic pursuits also extend behind the camera; I coordinated photoshoots for both personal and corporate clients,” she added.

As a stylist, she said, her main objective is “to enhance my client’s natural beauty and instill confidence in each customer I work with.” While Marsden doesn’t currently have any clients in the Kingdom, she is hoping to establish her own business eventually.

“I’m eager to offer my expertise to individuals keen on enhancing their appearance. Helping others look and feel their best is immensely fulfilling to me,” she added.

To follow Marsden’s journey in Saudi Arabia, visit her Instagram @margo.marsden.

 


Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

Updated 04 May 2024
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Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

  • The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures

RIYADH: The College of Languages at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a conference titled “Translating the Saudi identity through other languages and cultures” on May 15.

The event, carrying the slogan “We translate our identity,” will take place at the Department of Conferences and Seminars, and is sponsored by Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.

It will focus on sharing the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, literary and intellectual heritage with a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

HIGHLIGHT

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

The role of translation in promoting a positive image of the Kingdom will also be discussed, as well as fostering international recognition and underscoring the Kingdom’s cultural impact.

The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures.

A competitive environment will be established among university students to introduce them to their identity through other languages and cultures.

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

Six scientific sessions and workshops will be hosted at the conference, as well as topic-related exhibitions and cultural events. Sessions will cover themes including “Saudi family identity,” “National identity,” “Linguistic communication,” “The role of translation and publishing in sharing the Saudi identity with the world,” “Translating national heritage into global languages” and “National identity in film translation.”

The conference’s workshops will focus on topics including translating the Saudi identity within the tourism sector.

The College of Languages organized the event as part of its commitment to the 2025 strategic goals of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

 


King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

Updated 04 May 2024
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King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

RIYADH: King Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday to appoint 261 investigative lieutenants at the Ministry of Justice’s Public Prosecution, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib thanked the king for the royal decree and said it reflected the support provided by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the ministry and its departments, SPA added.

Al-Mujib praised the commitment to advancing the development and prosperity of the justice ministry in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan discuss enhancing defense cooperation

Updated 05 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan discuss enhancing defense cooperation

  • The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s tripartite committee held its third meeting recently in Istanbul to discuss ways to enhance defense cooperation.

Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Durdali, and Lt. Gen Mohammed Owais from Pakistan were among the officials present at the meeting, the Defense Ministry said in a report on Saturday.

The meeting focused on joint cooperation in defense, the transfer and localization of technology, and the development of scientific research in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry stated.

The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul recently.