ALULA: A photography competition to capture the historic and natural wonders of AlUla has been launched exclusively for budding Saudi snappers residing in the area.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in collaboration with Sony, on Wednesday made the contest announcement to coincide with World Photography Day.
The competition, which will run until Sept. 23, aims to unearth five talented local photographers from pictures taken of AlUla in the categories of nature, monumental, people, design, and adventure.
The RCU and a panel of judges, including Sony ambassadors, will select the winners from shortlisted candidates over the contest’s duration.
Each winner will be awarded a SR10,000 ($2,666) commission from the RCU to provide 50 images to be used for its marketing activities as part of the reopening of AlUla from October, along with a Sony Alpha 6600M camera.
RCU spokesperson, Saad Almatrafi, said: “Saudi photographers residing in AlUla are encouraged to submit up to 10 photos in each category during the period of submission — they can be taken from a photographer’s recent collection or be captured especially for the competition.
“Participants should submit their work on the official Experience AlUla (@experiencealula) Instagram account by using the hashtag #capturealula and #experiencealula, to be shortlisted to win.
“Judges will be looking for technique, creativity, and storytelling. The Experience AlUla channels will showcase some of the most impressive entries over the course of the four weeks.”
Phillip Jones, chief destination management and marketing officer at the RCU, said: “We love the idea of having the stories of AlUla told through the experiences and eyes of local residents. Who better to help us in our marketing efforts than the proud locals of AlUla who know the destination better than anyone?”
For details on the terms and conditions of the competition visit https://experiencealula.com/en/Discover_AlUla/Arts_Culture/Pages/Capture...
When it reopens its doors to visitors in October, AlUla’s attractions, including the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be accessible year-round.
Walks, treks, and trails will be available, guided by a local Rawi (Arabic storyteller) or self-guided, for visitors who want to delve deeper into the stories and customs of the region.
“We are developing immersive, light-touch experiences that harness the power and silence of the landscapes, experiences such as guided stargazing in a desert night sky that has inspired science, religion, philosophy, art, and literature for millennia,” Jones added.
AlUla photo contest aims to expose budding Saudi snappers
https://arab.news/92639
AlUla photo contest aims to expose budding Saudi snappers
- Winners will be awarded SR10,000 commission from RCU to provide 50 images to be used for its marketing activities as part of the reopening of AlUla from October
Saudi Arabia highlights agricultural innovation, food security at Qatar expo
- Date varieties, honey, coffee attract global investors at AgriteQ exhibition in Doha
RIYADH: The National Center for Palms and Dates highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the global date sector at the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition, AgriteQ.
The Kingdom is participating as a guest of honor at the exhibition, held at Katara Cultural Village in Doha until Feb. 16, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Several Saudi companies specializing in date production and processing are showcasing their products and competitive advantages in domestic and international markets.
With total annual date production in the Kingdom exceeding 1.9 million tonnes, the center’s pavilion demonstrated how date-processing industries contribute to food security and the agricultural sector’s share of the national economy.
The showcase featured Saudi date varieties alongside innovative value-added products, attracting strong interest from international investors and companies seeking technology partnerships.
The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, is also taking part in the event to strengthen the presence of Saudi agricultural products and showcase initiatives supporting smallholder farmers and rural families.
The Saudi Reef pavilion highlights the program’s key achievements in empowering beneficiaries and enhancing sustainable agricultural production, the SPA reported.
A range of products on display, including honey, coffee, and dates, reflects the diversity and quality of local production, while introducing the support mechanisms and services offered to beneficiaries.
Saudi Reef spokesperson Majed Al-Buraikan said the participation aims to boost the presence of national products in regional and international markets and highlight the quality of goods produced by smallholder farmers and rural families.
He said the program’s support for initiatives that develop agricultural value chains, open new markets, foster cooperation and knowledge exchange in sustainable agriculture, and expand partnerships across GCC states to grow the sector locally and regionally.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli also attended the opening day on Feb. 12, touring several pavilions with Qatar’s Minister of Municipality Abdullah Al-Attiya and other officials and ambassadors.
The Saudi delegation highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector and promote private-sector engagement in sustainable agriculture. They also emphasized the role of food-processing industries in enhancing food security locally and regionally.
The Kingdom has achieved notable progress in self-sufficiency: 118 percent for dates, 101 percent for eggs, 78 percent for vegetables, 69 percent for poultry, and 61.5 percent for fish — demonstrating growth in domestic production and reduced reliance on imports, the SPA said.
Saudi Arabia also presented incentives to encourage investment in modern agricultural technologies and innovation, including allocation of investment land, financing through the Agricultural Development Fund, streamlined licensing procedures, and technical and advisory support for investors.
To enhance the quality and safety of national products, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has launched four quality labels for Saudi food products: Organic, SAMAQ, Saudi Dates Mark, and Saudi G.A.P.
The labels aim to increase product market value, support farmers and investors in marketing and exporting, expand access to local and global markets, and provide a trusted standard for quality, safety, and classification.
