Riyadh Season welcomes 3 million visitors during first month since launch

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Winter Wonderland, one of Riyadh Season’s 14 zones, is a hit among visitors. Guests have also been entertained in different zones around the capital. (Supplied)
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Riyadh Safari, one of Riyadh Season's 14 zones. (Supplied)
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Updated 22 November 2021
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Riyadh Season welcomes 3 million visitors during first month since launch

  • Riyadh Front has already hosted three festivals, including RUSH Festival for video game lovers, the Jewelry Salon, featuring the most expensive mask globally, and the Riyadh Toy festival, where children met their favorite TV characters

RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2021 has attracted 3 million visitors in the month since its launch on Oct. 20.

Local, regional and global guests have been entertained in different zones around the capital Riyadh. Since the season’s launch nine of 14 zones have been opened: Boulevard Riyadh City, Combat Field, Riyadh Season Winter Wonderland, Riyadh Front, Al-Murabaa, Riyadh Safari, The Groves, Qariat Zaman and the most recent zone Al-Salam Tree, which opened to the public yesterday.

Over a period of five months, Riyadh Front will host nine international shows for different groups: Children, specialists, entrepreneurs and investors, arts, culture, electronic games, shopping and technology.

Riyadh Front has already hosted three festivals, including RUSH Festival for video game lovers, the Jewelry Salon, featuring the most expensive mask globally, and the Riyadh Toy festival, where children met their favorite TV characters.

Rasha Dababneh, an expat from Jordan, told Arab News during her visit with her son to the Riyadh Toy Festival that she was excited about the season this year.




Boulevard Riyadh City, one of Riyadh Season's 14 zones. (Supplied)

“This is our first zone to visit since the launch of Riyadh Season,” she said. “We wanted our kids to enjoy Riyadh Toy Festival first.”

“We still want to go to Boulevard Riyadh City, and we might later attend the MDL Beast concert.”

The Riyadh Season program — held under the slogan “Imagine more!” — will add up to a total of 7,500 event days. These events include 70 Arabic concerts, six international concerts, ten international exhibitions, 350 theatrical performances, 18 Arabic plays, and six international plays. The season has already hosted one WWE Championship, and will host two international matches, 100 interactive experiences, in addition to 200 restaurants and 70 cafes, which cater to all age groups.  




Al-Murabaa,  one of Riyadh Season's 14 zones. (Supplied)

According to Riyadh Season’s website, it has created huge job opportunities, qualitative economic returns, great foreign investment, and Guinness World Records certificates this year.

One of the most important events this week, which will continue until Nov. 28, is the Riyadh Car Show. The event is all about visitors and enthusiasts who enjoy watching some of the 600 rarest, most luxurious and fastest cars globally, ranging between classic and modern.

The car show’s sales reached SR15 million during the second day of its opening. The show holds global public auctions managed by the British “Silverstone” auction company, and organizes the Ferrari Scuderia World Festival, held on Nov. 26-27. The show will also feature Ferrari Formula 1 team drivers hosting daily live shows for visitors.


Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

Updated 05 May 2024
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Metal bands battle it out in Jeddah

  • Saudi band Wasted Land emerged as champions of the 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Middle East

JEDDAH: Wacken Metal Battle Middle East arrived in Jeddah’s Makan Music Center on Friday night, providing a platform for local metal bands to showcase their musical prowess.

The battle of the bands event featured Jaheem, Volfram, Kaizer, and Wasted Land aiming for top spot, creating a memorable experience for regional metal fans.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Wacken Metal Battle Middle East — supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi, and a competition connected with Germany famous Wacken music festival — featured a jury of music experts and international guests, including judges from Germany, who evaluated the bands based on technical ability, song composition, and musical interpretation. They also took into account the band’s uniqueness, stage presence, audience interaction, execution of sound checks, communication, punctuality, and overall attitude.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wacken Metal Battle Middle East was supported by the German Consulate in Jeddah and European Weeks in Saudi Arabia, and a competition connected with Germany’s famous Wacken music festival.

• Saudi band Volfram described the night as a ‘unique and unforgettable experience.’

The jury selected Wasted Land as the champions of the competition, meaning they now have the chance to perform at the Wacken festival, which takes place annually in Hamburg. Adding to the excitement, the winners of the 2023 event, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind also took to the stage as guest performers.

The battle of the bands event featured Wasted Land, Jaheem, Volfram, and Kaizer aiming for top spot, while 2023 winner, Egyptian band Erasing Mankind, took to the stage as guest performers. (AN photos/Supplied)

Promoter Monika Bremer said, “Since its inception 10 years ago, Metal Battle Middle East has provided numerous emerging bands with the opportunity to showcase their talent and advance their careers. This anniversary edition is an important milestone for the regional metal scene.

“Thanks to the support of our partners, emerging metal bands have the opportunity to participate in this competition and gain valuable experience,” she added.

Emad Ashor, guitarist and vocalist of Jeddah-based death metal outfit Immortal Pain and one of the judges at the event, said, “Talent, passion, and professionalism are key. This platform allows all bands to explore new experiences and pursue their dream of victory.”

Karim Mounir, composer and bassist of Erasing Mankind, who was also a judge at the event, said: “Wacken is all about embracing the present moment and fostering camaraderie between bands and the audience. Live performances truly distinguish bands, and the Saudi metal scene’s exceptional talent and musicianship have demonstrated their worthiness for such a significant event.

“The band that can most effectively captivate Wacken’s lively and inclusive crowd would be a perfect representative from the Middle East.”

Saudi band Volfram described the night as a “unique and unforgettable experience.”

Reflecting on the band’s journey to the final of the Wacken Metal Battle, a member of Kaizer said, “Being part of this competition is an honor in itself, and sharing the stage with incredible bands is an experience we will always treasure.

“Kaizer is just beginning and has so much more to offer. Our goal is to represent the Saudi metal scene in the most intense and impactful way possible. Earning the title of Jeddah’s Heaviest Music from the crowd is a recognition we deeply appreciate.”

 


Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

Since her arrival, Margo Marsden has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. (Supplied)
Updated 04 May 2024
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Meet the Russian stylist living ‘blissfully’ in Saudi Arabia

  • “True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News

RIYADH: Margo Marsden relocated to Saudi Arabia two years ago when her husband — a British oil and gas engineer — accepted a job in the Kingdom. Since her arrival, she has been documenting her experience of life in Saudi Arabia on social media. Her TikTok profile states she is a “Russian mother married to British father … living blissfully in Saudi Arabia.”

“True to our expectations, we’ve found immense satisfaction living in Saudi Arabia. We consider it the best decision we’ve made for our family, and have no regrets.” Marsden, a professional stylist, told Arab News. “Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan. In my view, Saudi Arabia stands as the premier destination for living in 2024.”

Marsden was born and raised in Kazakhstan before moving to Russia with her parents when she was 14 years old. She lived in several countries before relocating to Saudi Arabia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Turkiye, Lebanon, Thailand, the UK, and Norway.

Living here is incredibly invigorating; one can palpably sense the positive transformations taking place in the country, aligned with the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

Margo Marsden, Russian stylist in KSA

Marsden had worked in Riyadh for a month in 2019 with fashion retailer Zara during Ramadan, and when her husband told her about his job offer, she was thrilled at the prospect of visiting the Kingdom again.

“I love it here, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with local and expat women, to elevate their confidence and refine their fashion identity,” she said.

Marsden now has more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry. It’s a passion that began in her childhood, when she would meticulously craft outfits for her Barbie dolls with her mother’s guidance.

Marsden said she worked as a model — treading catwalks in Russia, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, and Thailand — before moving into the business side of the industry, studying fashion design at Accademia Italiana in Bangkok and personal styling at the London College of Style. She has worked as a buyer, content creator and stylist.

“My artistic pursuits also extend behind the camera; I coordinated photoshoots for both personal and corporate clients,” she added.

As a stylist, she said, her main objective is “to enhance my client’s natural beauty and instill confidence in each customer I work with.” While Marsden doesn’t currently have any clients in the Kingdom, she is hoping to establish her own business eventually.

“I’m eager to offer my expertise to individuals keen on enhancing their appearance. Helping others look and feel their best is immensely fulfilling to me,” she added.

To follow Marsden’s journey in Saudi Arabia, visit her Instagram @margo.marsden.

 


Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

Updated 04 May 2024
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Riyadh forum to explore role of translation in promoting Saudi identity

  • The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures

RIYADH: The College of Languages at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a conference titled “Translating the Saudi identity through other languages and cultures” on May 15.

The event, carrying the slogan “We translate our identity,” will take place at the Department of Conferences and Seminars, and is sponsored by Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan.

It will focus on sharing the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, literary and intellectual heritage with a global audience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

HIGHLIGHT

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

The role of translation in promoting a positive image of the Kingdom will also be discussed, as well as fostering international recognition and underscoring the Kingdom’s cultural impact.

The conference aims to contribute to a key objective of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in promoting Islamic values and national identity, by encouraging Saudis to translate these concepts into other languages and cultures.

A competitive environment will be established among university students to introduce them to their identity through other languages and cultures.

The conference will attract researchers and enthusiasts interested in Saudi identity and its translation for foreign cultures. Students specializing in national identity and translation will take part, alongside representatives from sectors focused on translating Saudi identity, including ministries, agencies and companies.

Six scientific sessions and workshops will be hosted at the conference, as well as topic-related exhibitions and cultural events. Sessions will cover themes including “Saudi family identity,” “National identity,” “Linguistic communication,” “The role of translation and publishing in sharing the Saudi identity with the world,” “Translating national heritage into global languages” and “National identity in film translation.”

The conference’s workshops will focus on topics including translating the Saudi identity within the tourism sector.

The College of Languages organized the event as part of its commitment to the 2025 strategic goals of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

 


King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

Updated 04 May 2024
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King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution

RIYADH: King Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday to appoint 261 investigative lieutenants at the Ministry of Justice’s Public Prosecution, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib thanked the king for the royal decree and said it reflected the support provided by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the ministry and its departments, SPA added.

Al-Mujib praised the commitment to advancing the development and prosperity of the justice ministry in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan discuss enhancing defense cooperation

Updated 05 May 2024
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Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan discuss enhancing defense cooperation

  • The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s tripartite committee held its third meeting recently in Istanbul to discuss ways to enhance defense cooperation.

Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Durdali, and Lt. Gen Mohammed Owais from Pakistan were among the officials present at the meeting, the Defense Ministry said in a report on Saturday.

The meeting focused on joint cooperation in defense, the transfer and localization of technology, and the development of scientific research in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry stated.

The Saudi-Turkish bilateral defense cooperation committee also met in Istanbul recently.