2nd Islamic Arts Biennale to be held in Jeddah next year

(Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
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Updated 01 February 2024
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2nd Islamic Arts Biennale to be held in Jeddah next year

RIYADH: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s second Islamic Arts Biennale will be held next year in the Western Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, from January to May.

Rakan Al-Touq, vice chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, highlighted the success of the first edition of the event.

He said: “(The biennale) continues its mission in terms of shedding light on the treasures of the Islamic culture and its history and celebrating the institutions dedicated to it as a way to appreciate the role they are undertaking to preserve Islamic heritage.

“The second edition of the biennale will see the return of an expanded version of Al-Madar exhibition and forum, which includes some of the largest local and international institutions that are concerned with Islamic arts and will showcase their valuable collections.

“The exhibition also features two separate pavilions for Makkah and Madinah, which will highlight the ancient history of the two holy sites.

“This stresses the biennale’s ongoing commitment to enriching dialogue and building bridges between the past and present, under the supervision of local and international experts who will present the people visiting the biennale from inside and outside the Kingdom with an impactful and beautiful exhibition of which we are proud,” Al-Touq added.

Foundation CEO, Aya Al-Bakree, said: “The foundation was keen to choose a team of creative art curators. This stems from its commitment to organizing and managing international art and cultural exhibitions and constitutes a continuation of the successful journey started by the biennale’s first edition.

“The diverse expertise found within the artistic team will contribute to putting forward a renewed artistic vision, along with encouraging constructive dialogue in the fields of Islamic arts between the different bodies and visitors at the local and international levels.”

The event will be supervised by several international art curators, including artistic director Dr. Amin Jaffer, the director of Al-Thani Collection, whose academic and artistic work focuses on the intersections between European and Asian cultures.

Jaffer will be supported by artistic director Dr. Julian Raby, former lecturer in Islamic arts and architecture, former director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art, and a member of the art curatorial team of the Islamic Arts Biennale’s first edition; writer and historian Dr. Abdulrahman Azzam, adviser of Al-Madar (The Orbit) exhibition and forum during the first biennale; and contemporary art curator Muhannad Shono, who also participated in the first event.

The second edition of the exhibition will feature for the first time the Al-Musalla Award, an international architectural design competition. Participants will be invited to submit a new design for a temporary mosque, with the winning entry being built on the biennale grounds.

The priority in the competition will be given to designs showing the best environmental sustainability standards. More details regarding the competition, including the names of the jury members, will be announced over the coming weeks.

The first edition of the biennale was held last year under the slogan “Awwal Bait,” meaning “First House.”


Envoys share sweet memories as they bid farewell to Saudi Arabia

Dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, hosts reception for outgoing ambassadors.
Updated 16 June 2025
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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

A project to restore the structural integrity of Al-Dagal Fortress in Abha has been completed. (SPA)
Updated 16 June 2025
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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

Updated 16 June 2025
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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

Updated 16 June 2025
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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

More than 31 million trees have been planted in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as part of a nationwide afforestation project.
Updated 16 June 2025
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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.