RIYADH: Al-Nahdah Women’s Association in Riyadh, headed by Princess Sara Al-Faisal, shall celebrate its 50th anniversary in the service of Saudi women. The event will be held in the first quarter of 2013.
Hind Al-Faris, its executive director, said in a statement that "the celebration of the golden jubilee of Al-Nahdah establishment does not only aim to recognize the association’s services during the last 50 years and its achievements in terms of providing services to women in the areas of health and social care, as well as to charity and educational works, but also to highlight its role in the development of consciousness and thought of Saudi women and to help them carry out their duties and responsibilities as a mother and as a productive citizen. This is in addition to showcasing the role of the association and its impact on the decisions and the regulations for women in terms of care, rights and duties, which include the legal, social and economic aspects of life.”
Al-Faris also referred to the importance of the association's work and its impact on the formulation of new concepts for the social and voluntary work and organize it in the local context resulting from the association’s long experience and the experiment which the members of the association gained in doing voluntary service since the establishment of the association.
She added: "Al-Nahdah Women’s Association is the first association established in Riyadh and the second to be registered officially in Saudi Arabia.” Princess Sara Al-Faisal, who has ample experience in social work, has headed the association since its launch in 1962. “She developed the association's work, its objectives and its mission according to the needs of the community in general and the Saudi woman in particular. She opened new horizons for creative projects for Al-Nahdah," the statement from Al-Faris said.
Al-Nahdah is the first association that established women's educational and training centers in the Kingdom. It was also the first to conduct a social survey research in the districts of Riyadh concerning the needs of the population.
Al-Nahdah celebrates 50th anniversary
Al-Nahdah celebrates 50th anniversary
‘Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra’ shine at Maraya in AlUla
- The concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity
- It underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level
RIYADH: The “Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra” concert opened at Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla on Thursday under the patronage of the Kingdom’s Minister of Culture and Chairman of the board of the Music Commission Prince Bader bin Abdullah.
Organized by the Music Commission, the concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity.
The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Maestro Hani Farhat, led audiences through carefully curated pieces reflecting heritage and modern creativity.
The repertoire combined traditional influences with orchestral scoring, offering listeners heritage-based compositions alongside recent arrangements.
Regional rhythms and layered musical textures were used to echo the Kingdom’s history, while pieces rooted in Saudi classical music tradition connected audiences with familiar cultural references in a fresh format.
The concert underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level.
The series seeks to honor national heritage while encouraging contemporary artistic engagement, and its growing local and international presence was highlighted throughout the evening.
The program also featured a visual dimension led by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, which staged live performances of Saudi folk arts.
Audiences saw presentations of Samri, Dahha, Rafeihi, Yanbawi, Zair and Khabeeti, synchronized with the orchestra to create one integrated artistic experience.
These folk elements were arranged to complement the orchestral sound, reinforcing the richness and variety of Saudi cultural identity. The combination of music and movement aimed to show how traditional forms can engage with large-scale concert settings while retaining their historical character and community roots.
This performance is an extension of the series of successes achieved by the Saudi Orchestra’s masterpieces both locally and internationally, and reaffirms the Music Commission’s commitment to showcasing Saudi music in its finest form.
