Riyadh’s light festival starts this week

As part of light festival, there will be 10 installations at the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh. (Photo/Supplied)
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Updated 18 March 2021
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Riyadh’s light festival starts this week

  • One of the presentations is called “Light Upon Light” and showcases art from the 1960s to the present day

RIYADH: More than 30 light installations will be showcased this weekend across the capital in the new annual Light of Riyadh festival.
The festival will be a platform to display the city’s creativity and talent through intricate installations.
More than 60 international and Saudi artists have created installations for the 17-day event, which also brings together contemporary and modern art.
It starts on March 18 and runs until April 3 in different venues across the city. It features an interactive show with outdoor sculptures, workshops, volunteering opportunities, cinematic shows, and educational talks.
There will also be a music show hosted by MDL Beast Freqways, a streaming platform, with performances from Hats & Klaps, Kayan, and DesertF!sh.
The festival is the first to be organized by the Riyadh Art program as part of Vision 2030 initiatives to promote culture and art.
Its theme is “Under the Sky” and expresses hope for a brighter future as the world recovers from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Many of the installations will be sculptures that shed light on their surroundings, both indoors and out.

HIGHLIGHTS

• More than 60 international and Saudi artists have created installations for the 17-day event.

• It starts on March 18 and runs until April 3 in different venues across the city.

The festival seeks to take visitors on an emotional experience that evokes joy, contemplation, and appreciation for culture.
One of the presentations is called “Light Upon Light” and showcases art from the 1960s to the present day. It was put together by Dr. Eiman Elgibreen, a curator of the Saudi National Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, Pam Toonen, from Light Art Collection, and Vincenzo de Bellis, an international curatorial consultant.
More information about the installations and event locations can be found on the Riyadh Art Program website: https://noorriyadh.sa/en/.

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Al-Eishan Palace jewel in Jouf’s cultural crown

Located in the heart of Sakaka, Al-Eishan Palace dates back to 1852 and is surrounded by lush palm groves. (SPA)
Updated 9 sec ago
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Al-Eishan Palace jewel in Jouf’s cultural crown

RIYADH: Visitors to the Jouf region can explore a host of historical landmarks and unique architectural heritage, with mud brick palaces offering immersive cultural experiences that combine traditional cuisine and local hospitality.

The highlight is Al-Eishan Palace, where guests are greeted with coffee and freshly baked Maqshush, a thin flatbread with a distinctive flavor, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Located in the heart of Sakaka, the building dates back to 1852 and is surrounded by lush palm groves. Built from mud, stone, tamarisk wood and palm fronds, it has five-meter high walls and spans more than 1,000 sq. meters. To the east, it borders orchards of peaches, pomegranates and grapes.

Parts of the palace were redeveloped in 2017-18, though the original foundations were maintained and traditional building materials were used for the renovations to ensure the building retained its character, including the majlis, inner courtyard and living quarters.

Al-Eishan Palace is open to visitors daily.