RIYADH: Saudi performance artists are being given the chance to play the first Riyadh Theater Festival later this year.
The festival will be held at the Conference Center of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh from Dec. 14 to 23, with the support of the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission.
The festival will first hold auditions. The commission’s CEO, Sultan Al-Bazei, said judges will look for “quality, creative presentation” and acts “that attract the audience.” Participants must be from the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Sinani, the head of the festival, said that he hopes it will discover and develop young talent and advance the Saudi theater scene in line with Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Culture.
Three seminars will also be held featuring local and international playwrights. The first will focus on the world stage, the second will tackle Arab theater and the third will explore Saudi theater.
Al-Sinani said he hoped that the seminars “will significantly contribute to advancing the theater movement in Saudi Arabia.”
Riyadh Theater Festival sets stage for Saudi performing artists
https://arab.news/mk6rm
Riyadh Theater Festival sets stage for Saudi performing artists
- The festival will first hold auditions
- The commission’s CEO, Sultan Al-Bazei, said judges will look for “quality, creative presentation” and acts “that attract the audience.” Participants must be from the Kingdom.
Ramadan begins with celestial spectacle in Saudi Arabia's north
- Venus-crescent moon alignment visible over Northern Borders Region skies
- Meteorology Center completes operational plan for the holy month
ARAR/JEDDAH: The holy month of Ramadan has commenced in Saudi Arabia with a striking astronomical display in the Northern Borders Region, setting a serene tone for the month as meteorological authorities confirmed full readiness to support pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
On Tuesday evening, the skies over Arar witnessed a rare alignment as the planet Venus paired with the slender crescent moon marking the first day of Ramadan. Appearing shortly after sunset, the crescent shimmered low on the western horizon above Venus — one of the brightest celestial bodies — in a display enhanced by clear skies.
While the conjunction is a recurring astronomical phenomenon caused by the apparent proximity of the two bodies as viewed from Earth, its coincidence with the start of the holy month added a special aesthetic and spiritual dimension to the atmosphere in the north, SPA said.
Meteorological readiness
As the faithful began their fasting, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) announced the completion of its operational and technical preparations for Ramadan 1447 AH.
NCM Chief Executive Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam confirmed that the center has finalized a comprehensive plan to ensure round-the-clock weather monitoring for Makkah, Madinah, and the roads leading to the Two Holy Mosques. The initiative aims to provide accurate forecasting to enhance the safety and comfort of the influx of visitors and Umrah pilgrims.
The plan includes heightened performance levels at observatories in the Kingdom’s airports to manage increased flight traffic and aviation safety.
To ensure pilgrims have real-time access to information, the NCM has integrated its data with the "Nusuk" and "Tawakkalna" smart applications. Ten-day extended forecasts and real-time alerts will also be available via the "Anwaa" app and displayed on guidance boards along highways.
The center has mobilized 14 media platforms to deliver swift weather alerts, ensuring high standards of security and logistical support throughout the season.
