Joss Stones says Saudi women are ‘strong’ after performing in the country
The singer performed on June 23
She said Saudi men are helping the women with the change in the country
Updated 03 July 2019
Arab News
DUBAI: English singer and songwriter Joss Stone said she loved Saudi Arabia and that she hopes to visit again, through her personal social media accounts.
According to her Twitter account, the singer performed on June 23 with the help of a Saudi-based travel and event company.
Stone said she had the “sweetest gig” in Saudi Arabia.
Ok so that was the sweetest gig in the world #SaudiArabia
She praised Saudi women, saying they are strong and exercise their own will. She spoke to a number of women from different professions in Saudi Arabia before coming to that conclusion.
“The women here are strong and exercising their choice to be free, wear what they want and do what they want, their want may be different to what we experience at home but there ain’t nothing wrong in that,” the singer said.
Stone also praised Saudi men, saying, “it seems to me that they are all walking forward together trying to make [their] world a better place.”
The concert was part of the singer’s ‘Total World Tour,’ where she tries to perform in every country.
She has already visited Jordan, Oman, Syria and North Korea, among numerous other destinations.
Saudi creators bring a modern twist to ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ for TikTok
Updated 26 March 2025
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: The “Fawazeer Ramadan” franchise, originally made famous in Egypt by iconic performers Nelly and Sherihan, has been reimagined for the TikTok generation.
The classic TV show, known for its musical riddles and whimsical performances, has been a staple of Ramadan entertainment for decades.
This year, Saudi creators Lama Najjar and Mohammed Subaie returned for their second year adapting the format, bringing a fresh and modern twist to the beloved show for a new audience.
“Honestly, it was such a fun and beautiful experience! When we first started, we never expected people to engage with it so much,” Najjar told Arab News.
“‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ is part of so many people’s memories, and it felt great to bring it back in a new way that fits today’s generation,” added Subaie. “TikTok gave us the space to connect directly with people and see their instant reactions to each episode.”
Lama Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. (Supplied)
As Ramadan comes to a close, the creators reflected on the evolution of the show, which featured challenges and riddles.
“This year, we wanted to bring new ideas and challenges that people might not expect,” said Subaie. “We’ve improved a lot in terms of filming and editing, and even the riddles themselves are a bit smarter and harder!”
Najjar, deeply involved in shaping the content, emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience. “Honestly, I like to be part of everything! From writing the riddles to choosing the ideas and how we present them. I love adding my personal touch and making sure the content feels close to the audience and reflects my style. And of course, interacting with the audience is a huge part of what I do — they’re the reason for our success, so I always want to make sure they feel connected,” she shared.
The show has resonated with younger audiences, many of whom are experiencing “Fawazeer Ramadan” for the first time, according to Subaie.
“Even those who never watched the original ‘Fawazeer’ are now loving the idea. People are waiting for each episode, and that’s the best proof that it connects with them,” said Subaie.
Your guide to Art Week Riyadh: From flagship shows to studio tours in JAX District
Updated 26 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Art Week Riyadh’s inaugural edition is set to take place from April 6-13 under the theme “At The Edge.” The event will feature works from more than 45 galleries, private and institutional collections, and a public program of talks — here is your guide to getting the best out of Art Week Riyadh.
First up, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the event’s flagship exhibition which is curated around three thematic threads — “Everyday Life,” “Landscapes,” and “Motifs.”
Bashaer Hawsawi’s ‘Warm Space 1,’ 2018, Red Broom with African Cloth. (Courtesy of Hafez Gallery and the artist)
The exhibition features contributions from prominent galleries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, including A. Gorgi Gallery (Tunisia), Ahlam Gallery (Saudi Arabia), Albareh Art Gallery (Bahrain), Al Markhiya Gallery (Qatar), L’Art Pur Gallery (Saudi Arabia), AV Gallery (Saudi Arabia), Ayyam Gallery (UAE, UK), Carbon 12 (UAE), Efie Gallery (UAE), Experimenter (India), Galerie Krinzinger (Austria), Gallery Misr (Egypt), Galerie La La Lande (France), Galleria Continua (Brazil, China, Cuba, France, Italy, UAE), Green Art Gallery (UAE), Hewar Art Gallery (Saudi Arabia), Hunna Art (Kuwait), Lawrie Shabibi (UAE), Layan Culture (Saudi Arabia), Le LAB (Egypt), Leila Heller Gallery (UAE, USA), Lisson Gallery (China, UK, USA), Mennour (France, UK), Nature Morte (India), Perrotin (China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, USA), Sabrina Amrani (Spain), Selma Feriani (Tunisia), The Pill® (France, Turkey), The Third Line (UAE), Tabari Artspace (UAE) and Wadi Finan Art Gallery (Jordan).
Al Mousa Center in central Riyadh
Up next, visitors should head over to the Al Mousa Center in central Riyadh where more than 15 galleries will present both solo and group exhibitions specially conceived for Art Week Riyadh.
Once a bustling commercial complex, the center is now a cultural destination that houses around 20 art galleries. Galleries participating in Art Week Riyadh include Abdullah Hammas Studio, Abstract Art Gallery, Ahlam Gallery, Alajilan Gallery, Alestudio, AMA Art Venue, Art Arif Gallery, Art Connection, AV Gallery, China Saudi Cultural Art Association, ERRM Art Gallery, Frame Art Gallery, Kadi Art Gallery, Kenz Gallery, Mahd Alfnon Gallery, Marsami Art Gallery, Ola Art Gallery, Takeib For Arts, Tequin Art Gallery, WHJ ALLON and Wrd Art Gallery.
Invited exhibitions
JAX District will also host three exhibitions by invited collections, offering a rare insight into Saudi Arabia’s evolving cultural identity. Presented under the title “Collections in Dialogue,” these exhibitions emphasize the role of patronage and collecting in shaping and preserving visual culture.
The section includes a curated presentation of artworks from the collection of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). Featuring works by artists such as Do Ho Suh, Maha Malluh, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Mohammad Alfaraj, Hazem Harb, Gregory Mahoney, Moath Alofi, and Sultan bin Fahad, the exhibition highlights the interplay between material memory, transformation, and the landscapes that shape identity.
Neïl Beloufa’s ‘Double Standard,’ canyon, 2024, MDF and rubbio varnish. Neil Beloufa, Adagp, Paris, 2025, Photo. Archives Mennour. (Courtesy the artist and Mennour, Paris)
Meanwhile, Art Jameel will present a selection of eight single-channel artworks from its collection that highlight the diverse and evolving landscape of experimental film and video art practices in the region. This presentation brings together video works by artists from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, largely made in the 2010s, that reflect on a decade marked by profound transformations. Many of the featured works are early and foundational works by major artists such as Ahaad Alamoudi, Hiwa K, Bouchra Khalili, Basim Magdy, Ahmed Mater, and others.
Also, “Abstract Horizons: Three Generations of Saudi Art” by the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) will go on show. Borrowing its title from a work by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Saleem, the exhibition draws from SRMG’s collection to explore the progression of Saudi abstraction through the practices of key figures such as Al-Saleem, Abdulhalim Radwi and Taha Al-Sabban, who merged global influences with local traditions. Their legacy is reinterpreted by a new generation of creatives, including Raeda Ashour, Rashed AlShashai and Zaman Jassim.
Talks, workshops and studio tours
A series of talks and workshops will reflect on themes and questions facing the visual arts in Riyadh, more widely in Saudi Arabia, and around the world. Curated by Shumon Basar and titled “How to Art World? Lessons in Value,” the program will run at JAX District.
A “Moving Image” program will highlight the medium’s capacity to explore complex personal, cultural and social narratives, and feature the work of Theaster Gates, Zineb Sedira, Hicham Berrada, Bani Abidi, Laurent Grasso, Afra Al Dhaheri, Mohamed Bourouissa, Sarah Brahim, Farideh Lashai, and Hashel Al-Lamki.
At JAX District, some of Saudi Arabia’s leading artists — including Ahmed Mater, Ayman Zedani, Marwah AlMugait, and Muhannad Shono — will open the doors to their studios, while resident galleries Athr, Hafez and Lift will present a lineup of exhibitions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) will present the exhibitions titled “Art of the Kingdom” and “Adaptability Ceramics,” alongside a series of workshops and pop-ups.
Brazilian actress Sabrina Petraglia bridges cultures through film in the UAE
Updated 26 March 2025
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: Brazilian actress Sabrina Petraglia, known for her roles in TV and cinema, has found a new home and purpose in the Middle East.
Since moving to Dubai in January 2023 with her husband and three children, Petraglia has embraced the region’s culture and is making inroads in her attempt to forge cross cultural understanding.
“I never imagined loving the Middle East this much. Whatever I had imagined about the Middle East was totally wrong. The life here is incredible, safe, so beautiful. I like the mentality here. I feel that here your dreams are possible if you work hard,” she told Arab News.
Petraglia is keen to foster collaboration between Brazilian and Arab artists. (Supplied)
Petraglia created her latest project, “Ocean of Mothers,” in Dubai in January, in a move that she says was the first time a Brazilian production hit the silver screen in the UAE.
The film follows three friends — Thais, Erika and Zilda — who connect through motherhood in Santos, Brazil. Despite their busy lives, their friendship becomes a source of strength and support. The film touches on themes like losing one’s identity as a mother, feeling overwhelmed, mental health struggles, and the importance of having a support network.
“We started by booking a room for 60 people,” she said, then the number of guests kept increasing until it reached around 400 guests. “When I saw the cinema full of people and a lot of women from different nationalities, I cried. I could not believe it,” she said.
“I saw a lot of support from women here, because the film is about women. It was so precious for me,” she added.
Petraglia is keen to foster collaboration between Brazilian and Arab artists.
“This is one big dream of mine to work with Saudi filmmakers and show Brazilian culture here and sharing Middle Eastern stories with Brazilians also,” she explained.
“Here, I can see big opportunities, and I’d like to show not just to Brazilians, but to the world, what it’s like here. The cinema is the best way to do this,” she said.
Petraglia said she is working on new projects that challenge stereotypes about motherhood and female empowerment. (Supplied)
Inspired by her interactions with women in the UAE, Petraglia said she is working on new projects that challenge stereotypes about motherhood and female empowerment.
“For now, it is all only on paper, but I am looking for good partners in Brazil. I am speaking to big channels in Brazil,” she said.
Ahmed Helmy to be honored at US, Swedish film festivals
Updated 26 March 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy is set to be honored at the 4th edition of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival in California and the Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden in April.
The actor, who started his TV career in 1993 before he landed a role in 1998 film “Aboud Ala El Hedoud,” will make an appearance at both events.
The Hollywood Arab Film Festival will take place in Glendale, California, from April 9-13, while the 15th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival will run from April 29-May 5.
Helmy, 55, is a comedic actor known for his roles in “Excuse My French” (2014) and “Sorry To Disturb” (2008). He also made a guest appearance in 2024’s Egyptian-Saudi co-production “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” by filmmaker Karim El-Shenawy.
Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince Hussein attend iftar with orphaned children in Amman
Updated 26 March 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah visited Children’s Museum Jordan this week to attend an iftar event with orphans.
The royal couple spent time with the children and were photographed playing games, sharing a meal and engaging in conversation with the young attendees. They also took time to pose for pictures with the children.
“Rajwa and I were overjoyed to share today’s iftar with children from orphan care homes,” the crown prince shared on Instagram. “Today’s iftar was filled with love and positive energy with our wonderful children. May God bless them.”
For the occasion, Saudi-born Princess Rajwa wore the Isabella brown flora kaftan by Egyptian-helmed fashion label Bambah. The ensemble was styled with a Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU Petite beige padded leather bag.
Crown Prince Hussein kept it casual, opting for a black polo shirt and cargo pants.
Last week, the crown prince took to Instagram to share a heartwarming post for Mother’s Day, dedicated to both his wife, Princess Rajwa, who is the mother of their 7-month-old daughter Iman, and his mother, Queen Rania.
“To my beloved mother and my loving wife, your presence fills our lives with joy, and your love is the true meaning of giving. Happy Mother’s Day,” he wrote.
The post featured two touching photos — one of the crown prince with his mother and baby Iman, and another of Princess Rajwa playing with their daughter.
At her birth, King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media. Translated from Arabic, the post reads: “I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.
“We ask God to raise her well and protect her for her parents. You have lit up our family.”
Queen Rania also took to social media to write” “Praise be to God for His greatest gifts … You have brightened our lives with our beloved granddaughter Iman. May God keep her with us. Congratulations to Hussein and Rajwa, and may God fill your lives with blessings and contentment.”
