JEDDAH: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), a recently established entity on the local Saudi scene, is trying its best to accommodate local venues with international stars at reasonable prices for the audiences.
The GEA sponsored a concert with the Greek performer Yanni last Thursday and Friday in Jeddah, and it was a blast, merging Saudis and expats, young and old; all came together to enjoy the world-class music.
Both of Yanni’s Jeddah shows were sold out, with tickets ranging from SR200 ($53), SR350 and SR600, while VIP tickets cost SR900.
Duaa Badr, a 26-year-old Syrian who has lived in Saudi most her life, told Arab News that she was really excited about what’s now happening in Saudi Arabia. “All these concerts and events, we’re doing things we used to travel to do,” said Badr, who occupied a Zone C seat and thought her ticket was reasonably priced.
“I expected a successful show; people attending are music lovers and it’s great to take part in it.”
On a different note, Mostafa Al-Shaqi, a 57-year-old consultant doctor, spoke to Arab News as he waited for his wife in the VIP lounge. “This is only the start of something great and we can expect even more at the great King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).”
“This exceeded my expectations,” added Anmar Khurais, a 36-year-old freelancer who went along to say: “A Yanni concert is so far-sighted and something I’d assumed to be way out of reach. VIP tickets prices were reasonable when compared to other countries.”
Nisreen Hamdan from Jordan commended the GEA’s choice for bringing Yanni to Jeddah: “It’s a transcendence,” she said. “Such a successful concert, organizers did an amazing job and I hope we see more shows of this caliber in the future.”
Ibrahim from Syria traveled all the way from Madinah to attend the concert. “I’ve been a Yanni fan since I was 15 years old,” he told Arab News. “It’s been a dream of mine to see him live. It’s my first concert ever and I’m so happy I experienced it,” he added, from a second row seat that cost him less than a nice meal at a fancy Jeddah restaurant.
Saudi entertainment body sets ‘sweet spot’ concert ticket prices
Saudi entertainment body sets ‘sweet spot’ concert ticket prices
Visa holders may not enter Makkah around Hajj season
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced visit visa holders will not be allowed to enter or remain in Makkah during the Hajj season.
Between May 23 and June 21, only pilgrims with Hajj permits may do so, with penalties imposed on anyone violating the rules.
The ministry emphasized that visit visas did not give the holder permission to perform Hajj. It also urged visitors currently in Saudi Arabia to avoid travel to Makkah during the specified period.
“Violators will be subject to penalties according to the Kingdom’s regulations,” said a statement from the ministry.
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior said it would start imposing fines amounting to $2,666 on anyone, including Saudi citizens, caught entering Makkah without a Hajj permit between June 2-20.
Saudi Arabia and Austria sign economic-cooperation pact
- The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna
- The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Ministry of Economy and Planning has signed a cooperation agreement with its Austria counterpart, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The pact was inked at the ninth session of the Saudi-Austrian Joint Committee in Vienna between the Kingdom’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Austria’s Labor and Economy Minister Martin Kocher.
The parties aim to encourage cooperation in trade, industry, research and development, tourism, and small and medium enterprises.
The countries will also organize conferences and seminars featuring experts in their fields.
The parties are committed to protecting mutual intellectual property rights, the SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia and Austria first signed economic, commercial, industrial and technology agreements in 2004.
Saudi Arabia reelected to Global Research Council leadership
- The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting
RIYADH: The Kingdom has retained its leadership position in the Global Research Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The governing board voted unanimously to reelect Vice Chairman Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki at the body’s 12th annual meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland this week.
The reelection to this position, for the second time since the body’s establishment in 2012, confirms the council’s confidence in Saudi Arabia, the SPA reported.
The council highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting research, development and innovation in the Middle East North Africa region, the report added.
The council comprises heads of research institutions that fund projects globally.
King Salman issues royal order to host 1,000 family members of Palestinian victims for Hajj
- The gesture is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah
- Since its inception 26 years ago, more than 60,000 pilgrims have been hosted under the program
RIYADH: King Salman ordered the hosting of 2,322 Hajj pilgrims on Tuesday, including 1,000 family members of Palestinians killed or wounded by Israel or held in Israeli prisons.
1,300 people from over 88 countries and 22 family members of conjoined twins who were separated in the Kingdom will also be hosted for the pilgrimage, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The gesture is part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, which is supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.
Since its inception 26 years ago, more than 60,000 pilgrims have been hosted under the program.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikhb said the order reflects the Saudi leadership’s constant care for Muslims around the world and its efforts to strengthen unity and brotherhood among Muslims by bringing them together for Hajj at the expense of the king.
The minister said preparations to host these pilgrims have begun and a strategic plan has been developed.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s continued acts of genocide in Rafah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday the Israeli forces’ continued “genocidal massacres against the Palestinian people without deterrence” by targeting the tents of defenseless Palestinian refugees in Rafah.
The Kingdom holds the Israeli authorities fully responsible for what is happening in Rafah and all the occupied Palestinian territories, a foreign ministry statement read.
Israel’s military denied striking a tent camp west of the city of Rafah on Tuesday after Gaza health authorities said Israeli tank shelling had killed at least 21 people there, in what Israel has designated a civilian evacuation zone.
Earlier, defying an appeal from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israeli tanks advanced to the heart of Rafah for the first time after a night of heavy bombardment, while Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state, a move that further deepened Israel’s international isolation.
Saudi Arabia reiterated that the Israeli forces’ blatant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms, amid the silence of the international community, exacerbates the unprecedented Palestinian humanitarian catastrophe, and puts the credibility of international legitimacy institution at stake.
“The Kingdom stresses the need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to stop the massacres against the Palestinian people and hold those responsible accountable,” the statement concluded.
- With Reuters.
