Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh recently met with Egyptian Minister of Culture Jehan Zaki in Cairo.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and Egypt, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Alalshikh said several initiatives would be announced soon, reflecting the depth of coordination between the two sides.

Zaki expressed appreciation for the spirit of productive cooperation and emphasized that culture remains a cornerstone of the strategic relationship between the countries.

Both highlighted the deep historical ties and stressed the importance of expanding cultural and artistic partnerships to support joint creative initiatives in line with their strategic vision.

The meeting was part of Alalshikh’s Egypt visit, aimed at advancing cultural and artistic cooperation and creating new opportunities for collaboration between Saudi and Egyptian institutions.

“The minister and I have agreed on a shared motto: ‘Planting hope and joy.’ We are aligned in vision and direction — and there are surprises ahead,” Alalshikh told reporters.

He revealed that a major program is being developed to bring Egyptian Opera House artists to the Kingdom monthly, while teasing “a very significant surprise” for the North Coast and a separate initiative covering cinema and culture across all of Egypt’s governorates. “This summer,” he promised, “will be different.”