JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan on Friday inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale’s 17th International Architecture Exhibition.
The exhibition is called “How will we live together?” and will be held at the Giardini, the Arsenale and the Forte Marghera in Venice. Organizers said the exhibition will be open to the public from Friday through Nov. 21.
There will be 110 participants from 46 countries involved as the exhibition program includes pavilions from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey and the UAE.
The Kingdom’s pavilion will be in the Arsenale and is called “Accommodations.” Its curators are Uzma Rizvi and Murtaza Vali.
Friday’s inauguration ceremony was organized by the Architecture and Design Commission, and was attended by Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Italy; Roberto Cicutto, president of the Venice Biennale; Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission; along with a number of cultural officials from the Kingdom and around the world.
In his speech, Prince Badr said the Saudi pavilion “includes inspiring works that reflect the convergence between our ancient heritage and our vision for the future of the art of architecture, evidently present with its unique diversity and beauty in the details of our cultural heritage.”
He also noted the pivotal role of art in “creating better opportunities for dialogue, broadening perceptions, and opening new realms for communication, especially during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Prince Badr took the opportunity to praise the distinguished cultural relations between the Kingdom and Italy.
“Last year, the two countries together, with the support of the G20, succeeded in placing culture on the G20 agenda for the first time,” he said.
“This year, we provided and continue to give our full support to Italy in the cultural path of the G20 during its presidency year. We also welcome new opportunities for cultural cooperation with our friends in Italy.”
