RIYADH: The European Music Week in Riyadh is bringing audiences classical, pop, folk and jazz sounds to celebrate the “dynamism and richness of relations” between Saudi Arabia and the EU.
The EU delegation, in partnership with the embassies of EU member states and the Saudi Music Commission, inaugurated the event on Nov. 11.
Running until Nov. 20 at the Saudi Music Hub, the festival is hosting a rich selection of artists from Portugal, Denmark, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Estonia, Greece and the Netherlands.
Christophe Fernand, ambassador of the EU, told Arab News: “Tonight is the launch of the European Music Week. It is a unique occasion; it is an event that did not exist before. This is a very important moment for Saudi Arabia and the EU. It reflects the dynamism and richness of the relations. The economic partnership must be strengthened by a cultural partnership.”
The ambassador added: “We live in a world where trade is increasingly important. It is fundamental that people learn to know each other, to better understand each other and this goes through culture in the general sense of the term. Tonight, it is the turn of music to bring together two cultures as rich and diverse as each other.
“Music today is an opportunity to have a good time together and also to know each other.”
Faisal Al-Gain, director general of the Saudi Music Hub, told Arab News: “This is an important event because our goal is to celebrate culture. It is, therefore, an incredible opportunity that allows us to celebrate musical art, and to promote new co-creation and new content.
“So, we could really embrace this art and look at best practices and how we can work together, whether it’s in the form of performances or from an educational perspective, to see how we can improve the quality of music.”
Since Nov. 11, the Saudi public and music enthusiasts at the festival have explored European music, including contemporary Portuguese sound, courtesy of the group Almanata, a collective made up of Portuguese friends living in Riyadh.
Louise Tuxen, a Danish singer and composer, showed her rich and emotive repertoire at the festival. Whether singing in Danish or English, her melodies explore themes of life, family, friendship, happiness, sadness and death.
Tuxen captivated the audience with her warm voice, offering a delightful musical journey through a small corner of Denmark.
The Arcis Saxophone Quartet brought German sounds to the event through its four talented members: Claus Hierluksch, Ricarda Fuss, Anna-Marie Schafer and Jure Knez.
French-Maltese singer Cynthia Queenton blends charm and talent, and is widely recognized for her vocals through advertising jingles aired on French television.
Queenton blends “swing poppy jazz” with a “French touch.” Raised on the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter and Michel Legrand, she honed her craft at the Academie de musique et de danse Classique de Paris.
Audiences will also have the opportunity to attend concerts featuring artists from Italy, Estonia, Greece and the Netherlands.
From jazz to classical: European Music Week takes center stage in Riyadh
https://arab.news/ckmpn
From jazz to classical: European Music Week takes center stage in Riyadh
- The EU delegation, in partnership with the embassies of EU member states and the Saudi Music Commission, inaugurated the event on Nov. 11
- Envoy says festival is ‘very important moment’ for Saudi Arabia and the EU
Envoys share sweet memories as they bid farewell to Saudi Arabia
- Event was hosted by the dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, who commended the envoys’ service, commitment
RIYADH: A farewell ceremony for the outgoing ambassadors of Australia, Cyprus, Hungry and Mexico took place at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter on Monday.
The event was hosted by the dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, who commended the envoys’ service, commitment and contribution to diplomacy at both bilateral and multilateral level.
“During their tenure they did a good job, serving to expand bilateral relations between their countries and Saudi Arabia to new horizons of success and prosperity. I would like to extend them all the best in their life and future endeavors," said Bamakhrama, who is also the Djibouti ambassador.
He mentioned his involvement with them at occasions such as meeting the Riyadh governor during the holy month of Ramadan, adding: “It was good sharing memories with you, we will miss you.”
Mexican ambassador Anibal Gomez Toledo thanked the dean and the Saudi government for their support during his time in the Kingdom.
“You have been very supportive, and a good friend. It has been an honor for me to be here with you all,” he said, praising the warm Saudi hospitality he had enjoyed.
“I think the Middle East has been a very humanitarian experience for me,” he said, adding the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030 was an inspiration to many other countries.
Australian ambassador Mark Donovan said he had enjoyed his time in Riyadh and the good relationships he had experienced.
“It was always very professional and very polite. I consider myself lucky to be here,” he said.
“So my whole experience was pleasant. I will miss the Saudi hospitality, the warmth of working here with you all. Technology today allows us to keep in touch much easier than it did 30 years ago — I’m on Facebook, anybody can find me. I wish you all the best.”
Cypriot ambassador Alexis Phedonos-Vadet said: “I am very grateful to be with you all (in) such a wonderful place with wonderful people. Me and my wife thank you all for the support, friendship and cooperation. It has been an incredible journey.”
Hungary’s ambassador, Balazs Selmeci, said he appreciated the opportunity to get together with everyone before saying goodbye to the Kingdom.
“It really has been a privilege to be a part of what has happened here, the ongoing transformation. There are going to be some good times.”
He also thanked Saudi Arabia for supporting and helping countries evacuating citizens from Sudan. Both Saudi citizens and the nationals of other friendly countries were evacuated in mid-2023, with Royal Saudi Navy vessels and Royal Saudi Air Force planes playing a key part.
Also attending the farewell ceremony were the heads of various missions, ambassadors and other Saudi officials.
Structural restoration of Abha’s Al-Dagal Fortress completed
- Century-old landmark in northwest Abha gets major face-lift
JEDDAH: A project to restore the structural integrity of Al-Dagal Fortress in Abha, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, has been completed.
The project, undertaken by the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission, involved rebuilding collapsed sections of the walls and renovating internal areas.
The team used erosion-resistant granite and juniper wood for the roof and applied a layer of gypsum to the external walls to protect against water infiltration and improve its aesthetic appeal.
Located in the northwest of Abha, Asir Province, Al-Dagal Fortress dates back to the early 20th century. Built on a rugged peak more than 2,300 meters above sea level it measures 43.6 meters in length and 16 meters in width, with a semi-circular northern facade.
The natural slopes and rock formations on the northern and western sides were incorporated into its design to enhance its strength.
The fortress has three main areas: a command and control unit, the soldiers’ quarters and a service unit. A long central corridor runs through the structure, dividing it into eastern and western wings.
It also has a large stone oven for baking bread, a granary and a designated area for preparing haneeth — a traditional Asir dish of rice and lamb — which highlights the site’s cultural and social significance.
Renovation works are ongoing at the site but once completed the fortress is expected to be opened to the public.
Saudi FM discusses Iran-Israel tensions with Italian and EU counterparts
- Calls focused on the latest regional developments and their broader international implications.
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate phone calls on Monday with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani and EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas, amid growing regional concern over the escalation between Israel and Iran.
According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the calls focused on the latest regional developments and their broader international implications.
Both sides reviewed ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the fallout from Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran's retaliation, which have prompted fears of a wider confrontation in the Middle East.
Saudi minister holds talks with UK, China envoys in Riyadh
- Discussed recent regional and international developments, and related efforts
RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance them. Both officials also discussed recent regional and international developments, and related efforts.
In a separate meeting, Elkhereiji held talks with Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua in Riyadh. They reviewed bilateral relations as well as recent regional and international developments.
Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Omani Ambassador Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi. They discussed fraternal relations between the two countries and topics of mutual interest.
Greening initiative sees 31m trees planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
- The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land
RIYADH: More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as part of a nationwide afforestation project, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The trees were planted by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, working with 51 other entities, under a program launched in November.
The authorities aim to plant 1.5 billion trees in the province by 2100, rehabilitating more than 7.9 million hectares of land.
The scheme is part of the nationwide Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees — 600 million by 2030 — and rehabilitate more than 40 million hectares of land.
As well as planting trees, the center has been engaged in a program of environmental monitoring, combating illegal logging and raising public awareness across the Eastern Province.
It also works to prevent sand encroachment in farming areas that are at risk of soil degradation and uses native plant species to populate its afforestation areas in order to maintain the ecological balance of local habitats.
The center also organizes the National Afforestation Season in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
