RIYADH: Saudi archaeological masterpieces through the ages, popularly known as the “Roads of Arabia” exhibition, which is to be staged this year in Beijing, will play crucial role in cultural cooperation benefiting the Kingdom from Chinese experience with sunken antiquities, rock arts and archaeological training.
“The Roads of Arabia exhibition, which will be organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) at the Chinese National Museum in Beijing later this year, will be one of the most important cooperation programs between the Kingdom and China in the field of antiquities,” Ali Al-Ghabban, vice president of SCTNH and supervisor of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Project for Caring for the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage, said here recently.
“This will cover a number of areas including benefiting from Chinese experience with sunken antiquities and rock arts, in addition to exchanging exhibitions and training under the cultural cooperation agreement signed by the two parties,” he said.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh by the two countries during the Chinese president’s visit.
Al-Ghabban noted that China pays great attention to its cultural heritage as it has thousands of important sites and a deep-rooted civilization dating back 5,000 years.
“The Kingdom seeks to benefit from international experiences in the areas of antiquities and cultural heritage, and we look forward to benefitting from the distinguished experience of China, especially in the areas of rock arts and sunken antiquities, handicrafts, and in training areas and rehabilitation of historic sites,” Al-Ghabban said.
The “Roads of Arabia” exhibition will showcase a number of Chinese products that were imported from China before the Islamic era, during early Islamic times and Abbasid and Omayyad eras.
“Roads of Arabia” was launched in 2010. Since then it has been hosted by 10 international museums in Europe and the US.
The exhibition was first shown at the Louvre Museum in Paris (July 13, 2010). It then moved to La Caixa Foundation in Spain, the Hermitage Museum in Russia, Pergamon Museum in Berlin and then to the US.
In the US, the “Roads of Arabia” journey started with the Arthur M. Sackler Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., followed by the Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, and finally to the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.
Roads of Arabia to benefit from Chinese experience
Roads of Arabia to benefit from Chinese experience
Saudi Armed Forces participate in military exercise in Turkiye
- The field exercise phase of EFES 2024, which begins on Friday and continues until May 30, follows a command center phase that began on April 25 and ended on Wednesday
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are taking part in a multinational military exercise in the Turkish city of Izmir, the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Upon arrival in Turkiye ahead of the field-exercise phase of EFES 2024, the Saudi units were greeted by the military attache at the Saudi embassy in Ankara, Commodore Adel Al-Kalthami, the director of the exercise from the Kingdom, Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Suhaimi, and officers from branches of the Armed Forces.
The exercise involves two main phases, the first of which was a command-center exercise at the Multinational War Center in Istanbul and the Joint Command Training Center in Izmir, which began on April 25 and concluded on Wednesday. The second phase, involving live-firing field exercises at Izmir’s Doganbey Firing and Exercise Area, begins on Friday and continues until May 30.
The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, said participation of the nation’s forces in the exercise reflects the care and support of the Saudi leadership for the development of their capabilities and the enhancement their organizational, training and armaments skills.
The exercise provides an opportunity for forces from participating nations to exchange skills, train together in the planning and coordination of joint operations in various environments, raise their combat efficiency, and enhance military cooperation, he added.
During the exercise the Saudi units and their counterparts from other countries will carry out many field maneuvers on land and sea, including sea-landing operations, search and rescue missions, and responses to threats posed by drones, using light arms loaded with live ammunition and other weaponry, Al-Balawi said.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Brazilian president over flood victims
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a message of condolences and sympathy to Brazilain President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following the floods that swept the state of Rio Grande do Sul that killed and injured several people and left a number missing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
“We learned of the news of the floods that swept through the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of the Federal Republic of Brazil, and the resulting deaths, injuries, and missing persons,” the king said.
He added: “We share Your Excellency’s pain of this tragedy, and we send to you, to the families of the deceased, and to your friendly people, our warmest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing that the missing will return safely and the injured a speedy recovery.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Brazilian president.
Heavy rains and flooding in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul since last week also have left 128 people missing, authorities said. More than 230,000 have been displaced, and much of the region has been isolated by the floodwaters.
(With AP)
Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict during call
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday received a phone call from Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed several issues of common interest.
They also discussed developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts to resolve the conflict.
Ithra Film Production announces new projects at film festival
- The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center, or Ithra, announced 15 new film projects this week at the 10th Saudi Film Festival, which concludes on May 9.
The Saudi film funding program selected four features and 11 short films from 170 submissions over the past year.
The entries were submitted by emerging Saudi filmmakers vying to take their concepts from the drawing board to silver screens across the globe.
Since its inception six years ago, the IFP has played a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing film industry, by nurturing home-grown talent and fostering cinematic content through commissioning and co-funding opportunities.
The IFP seeks to highlight Saudi stories and discover new voices and creative storytellers with the ultimate goal of having their films showcased on national and international platforms.
After reviewing an unprecedented number of high-quality submissions, the jury ultimately settled on the 15 films that together comprise an array of unique untold stories presented by talented storytellers who tapped into Saudi Arabia’s rich culture for ideas.
IFP also introduced a range of initiatives aimed at providing platforms for film producers, advancing standards of excellence in filmmaking and empowering new talent in the region.
Additionally, they host numerous workshops and seminars in the field of representation and production, writing and directing, among others.
Since its first film in 2018, IFP has funded 20 titles and produced four which have been showcased at 95 film festivals across the globe, winning 34 awards.
This includes “Hajjan” which most recently won three awards at the Gulf Film Festival including best feature, best actor and best cinematography.
Saudi deputy minister, Swiss envoy review bilateral relations
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Dr. Saud Al-Sati received the Swiss envoy to the Kingdom, Yasmine Chatila, on Wednesday in Riyadh.
During the meeting, the two reviewed Saudi-Swiss bilateral relations, in addition to discussing regional and international developments of common concern.
Meanwhile, Hassan Al-Attas, assistant general supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, met with Charles Harper, development director and deputy ambassador of the UK to Yemen, at the SDRPY headquarters in Riyadh.
They reviewed development efforts through the Saudi program in various Yemeni governorates, and ways to enhance cooperation and partnerships to serve development goals in Yemen.
