Riyadh to host Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’

The Saudi capital Riyadh will host Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” touring show, the General Entertainment Authority has announced. (Cirque du Soleil/File)
Short Url
Updated 08 October 2022
Follow

Riyadh to host Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’

  • Seven million people in 26 countries have seen the show, which features 52 performers and spectacular aerial displays backed by music from South America

RIYADH: The Saudi capital Riyadh will host Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” touring show, the General Entertainment Authority has announced.

The production will be staged at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University from Oct. 12 until Dec. 3.

Seven million people in 26 countries have seen the show, which features 52 performers and spectacular aerial displays backed by music from South America.

The dazzling performance revolves around a story of insects threatened by the arrival of a strange creature inside a mysterious egg. With dancers performing the role of the insects, the show offers a startling insight into the beauty of biodiversity in all its forms.

The show will be staged five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Cirque du Soleil has presented seven shows in Saudi Arabia since 2018. The most recent was “Fuzion” during the Jeddah Season 2022 festival in May.

The international circus consists of 39 artists, supported by 25 technicians, and includes acrobatics, juggling games, helium balloons and flying swings.

In November 2021, Cirque du Soleil staged “Messi 10,” based on the life of the Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, as part of Riyadh Season.


Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday led renewed regional condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, which have resulted in the killing and wounding of more than 1,000 Palestinians.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkiye said the breaches represented a dangerous escalation that risked inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to restore calm and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday condemned what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations and warned they threatened de-escalation efforts and regional stability.

The ministers said the latest developments come at a critical moment, as regional and international efforts intensify to advance the second phase of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, SPA added.

They warned that the repeated violations pose a direct threat to the political process and could derail attempts to create the conditions for a more stable phase in Gaza, both in security and humanitarian terms. They stressed the need for full adherence to the ceasefire to ensure the success of the next phase of the peace plan.

The statement called on all parties to assume their responsibilities during this sensitive period, exercise maximum restraint, sustain the ceasefire, and avoid any actions that could undermine current diplomatic efforts. It also urged steps to facilitate early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

Reaffirming their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, the ministers said this must be based on the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.