Saudi festival seasons for Taif and Al-Soudah launched at the double

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SCTH officials say that events being lined up for the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons are part of coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors. (SPA)
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SCTH officials say that events being lined up for the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons are part of coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors. (SPA)
Updated 07 July 2019
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Saudi festival seasons for Taif and Al-Soudah launched at the double

  • The project aims to highlight the diverse cultural, historical, artistic and natural attractions of the Kingdom

RIYADH: Organizers of a major Saudi initiative aimed at boosting tourism through a nationwide program of festivals are to launch two simultaneous seasons of events for August.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) announced it would run the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons in the Asir region in tandem next month.

The ambitious 2019 Saudi Seasons initiative, the first of its kind in the region, was launched in February and includes 11 tourist seasons covering most of the Kingdom.

Linked to the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan, the project is aimed at highlighting the diverse cultural, historical, artistic and natural attractions of the Kingdom in a bid to further promote the country as a domestic and international tourist destination.

Not only are the Saudi Seasons designed to increase tourist spending in the Kingdom, they also aim to provide thousands of temporary and permanent jobs in the sector while encouraging investment opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The SCTH announces it would run the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons in the Asir region in tandem next month.

• The project will further promote the country as a domestic and international tourist destination.

• The aim of Taif Season is to consolidate its stature as a top Arab destination by putting the area’s rich history and culture under the spotlight with a range of family entertainment and tourist events, organizers say.

• Other attractions will include the famous Souk Okaz Festival, with its literary, cultural, and artistic events, and popular poetry competition, as well as the Arab market which will be hosting several Middle Eastern countries for the first time.

SCTH officials said events being lined up for the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons were part of coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors.

The aim of Taif Season was to consolidate its stature as a top Arab destination by putting the area’s rich history and culture under the spotlight with a range of family entertainment and tourist events, organizers said. Taif’s mild climate during summer would also be an added bonus.

Other attractions will include the famous Souk Okaz Festival, with its literary, cultural, and artistic events, and popular poetry competition, as well as the Arab market which will be hosting several Middle Eastern countries for the first time.

The “Crown of the Camels” festival, celebrating traditional Arab civilization, will also form part of Taif Season, along with activities and events such as hiking, a rose and fruit festival, street art and theater plays.

Meanwhile, the area of Al-Soudah boasts natural beauty, ranging from forests to highlands, and unique heritage and cultural treasures.




SCTH officials say that events being lined up for the Taif and Al-Soudah seasons are part of coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors. (SPA)

Adventure activities

Various aeronautical and adventure sports activities, such as parachute jumping, will be taking place, in addition to artistic, lyrical and entertainment events.

Director of Taif Season, Noura Al-Akil, said: “We aim to grant Taif its natural title as an Arab resort, through these activities, by highlighting the historical heritage and remarkable cultural and artistic diversity, while also providing diverse activities that meet the aspirations of Saudi families, residents, guests and tourists.

“The concerted action among the public and private sectors and the community has been remarkable. The participation of Arab countries is providing an exceptional experience for visitors this year, to help re-establish Taif as the first tourist destination in the Kingdom,” she added.

Al-Soudah Season’s director, Hossam Al-Din bin Saleh Al-Madani, said: “The Al-Soudah Season comes within the framework and interest of the Kingdom’s wise leadership, by supporting the domestic tourism sector, entertainment and culture, raising the quality of life for citizens, and building a vibrant society, because of the important touristic components that characterize the Kingdom.”

He pointed out that the events calendar would be based on the area’s key features of nature, scenery, heritage, culture, adventure, sports and climate.

Al-Madani said the program would include a series of cultural, sporting and entertainment events, concerts, musical evenings, artistic and heritage shows, as well as quality new services in Al-Soudah parks, international luxury restaurants, and tours of the city and Abha.

The season’s events would put to the test improved infrastructure and services in Al-Soudah, added Al-Madani.

Taif and Al-Soudah seasons have their own dedicated social media accounts, in addition to the Saudi Seasons website. Details about upcoming events during the two festival periods will be revealed on the website over the coming days.


US and UK embassies host women’s health majlis in Riyadh

Updated 8 sec ago
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US and UK embassies host women’s health majlis in Riyadh

  • Topics discussed include breast cancer awareness and the health challenges women face at every stage of their lives, from adolescence to menopause
  • Event is latest monthly gathering organized by the US embassy to celebrate the experiences and accomplishments of women and encourage them to share expertise

RIYADH: The British and US embassies hosted a women’s majlis at the residence of the UK ambassador in Riyadh featuring a panel discussion and advice from doctors and other medical specialists.

“When we gather together as professionals in the industry, we share best practices,” Alison Dilworth, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy, told Arab News.

“To be able to have that connection with other countries is invaluable, and the expertise on this panel was incredible. To see what is happening in Saudi Arabia in the field of women’s health was just extraordinary.”

The event was the latest in a series of monthly gatherings organized by the US embassy in partnership with other embassies in Saudi Arabia to celebrate the experiences and accomplishments of women, and encourage them to share their expertise in a private and relaxed setting. Previous gatherings explored topics such as literature, poetry, science and art.

The latest majlis focused on the mental and physical health of women and included a panel discussion featuring expert speakers Dr. Wafa Alkhayal, a breast and endocrine surgeon; Dr. Norah Alissa, a clinical psychologist; and Kathleen Stroia, senior vice president of performance health with the Women’s Tennis Association. It was chaired by Alice Burt, the UK’s deputy ambassador to the Kingdom.

“It is always so inspiring to get women together who are absolutely on top of their game,” Burt said. This is particularly important when considering women’s health, she continued, because “it helps us to identify the solutions and not just dwell on the problems.”

She added: “We are all very firm friends and I think it is in conversation with friends that you tend to come up with the best outcomes and have the most honest conversations, too.

“I was really struck by the openness and the honesty, and through that, in the spirit of friendship, how you can discuss the tough issues but get to the good outcomes, too.”

Specific topics that were discussed include breast cancer awareness and the importance of mammograms, and the health challenges women face at every stage of their lives, from adolescence to menopause.

Alissa, the clinical psychologist, offered some insights into the important need for people to make time for tranquility in their daily lives, and to perform a wellness checks through techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.

“Find your moment of stillness in your busy day, even if it is just five minutes, any moment of stillness that can make you feel grounded in your busy day,” she told Arab News.

“We are overly stimulated by everything and we have to be on it all the time. Having that moment of stillness keeps you in check with your body and with your emotions and mind; you know that you are doing okay, and if you are not doing okay, what do I need to do to make myself get okay?”

The panel members also discussed the importance of looking after one’s health through good nutrition and detoxing, as well as building physical health and endurance through activities such as cardio exercises, tennis and pilates.

They highlighted the need to “invest in your future self by taking care of your needs,” and create a support network that helps to make you feel connected. It is also important that people know professional help is available and when to seek it.

“Therapy is not intervention-based it’s prevention-based as well,” Alissa said. “Therapy is for anyone at any time; it isn’t just when crises hit.”


Global AI competition aims to revolutionize Arabic language technology

Updated 25 min 37 sec ago
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Global AI competition aims to revolutionize Arabic language technology

  • 3-day event in Riyadh ends on Saturday

RIYADH: The finals of the Allam Challenge are taking place in Riyadh, bringing together tech talent from 17 nations in an initiative to advance Arabic language technology, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

The three-day event, which finishes on Saturday, is being hosted at Digital City’s Crowne Plaza and is a collaboration between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, with technical support from IBM and the National Technology Development Program.

The challenge aims to develop AI models capable of composing and analyzing Arabic poetry; performing complex grammatical analysis; and creating engaging Arabic language learning tools for children, with a prize pool of SR1 million ($260,000).

Participants will be showcasing their capabilities in developing innovative solutions through the enhancement of large language models. They will benefit from training opportunities and workshops led by more than 50 mentors and 40 judges, and comprising AI experts and Arabic language specialists.

These experts will support participating teams and evaluate their projects according to criteria, ensuring the sustainability of solutions and their potential transformation into real-world AI projects serving the Arabic language across various sectors, the SPA added.


Saudi Quality of Life Program’s CEO stresses ‘people first’ approach

CEO of Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr speaking at the World Urban Forum in Cairo. (SPA)
Updated 07 November 2024
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Saudi Quality of Life Program’s CEO stresses ‘people first’ approach

CAIRO: CEO of the Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr has reaffirmed that the initiative places people at its heart.

This human-centered approach drives a range of projects across the Kingdom, aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030 to transform urban landscapes, elevate the quality of city services, and foster innovation through the adoption of modern technologies.

The statement was delivered during a dialogue session called “Putting People First in a Digital Era,” which was organized by the UN as part of the 12th World Urban Forum. The session featured the participation of experts and specialists from across the world.


Falcons club, NEOM in preservation drive

Updated 07 November 2024
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Falcons club, NEOM in preservation drive

  • The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry
  • The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve

NEOM: The Saudi Falcons Club’s Hadad program has announced a strategic partnership with NEOM to improve falcons’ habitat in the NEOM Nature Reserve.
The partnership, which was signed during Hadad’s annual meeting hosted by NEOM on Thursday, is part of the second phase of the program, which focuses on protecting endangered species and reviving habitats by employing the latest international standards in wildlife conservation.
The partnership is a major step in promoting the concept of sustainable falconry by preserving cultural and environmental heritage while integrating ancient traditions with modern practices.
The Hadad program works to revitalize the habitat of peregrine falcons at the NEOM reserve and implement effective environmental measures to ensure the sustainability of the species.
The partnership reflects NEOM’s efforts to preserve 95 percent of its land for nature, set new international standards to preserve the environment, and rehabilitate wildlife through its reserve.
It also illustrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its global leadership position in sustainable development and environmental protection, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.


AlUla Royal Commission signs agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The exhibition at AlUla will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome. (
Updated 07 November 2024
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AlUla Royal Commission signs agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

  • Exhibition will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments

AlUla: The Royal Commission for AlUla signed a new strategic partnership agreement with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to showcase a collection of antiques in the Kingdom and in AlUla for the first time.

The museum is an addition to the commission’s network of cultural partners, joining leading heritage and education institutions from the United Kingdom, France, China and Italy, to cooperate in preserving, studying and celebrating AlUla’s shared history of 20,000 years.

Built in 1777, the museum is also a landmark in an Italian heritage capital, embracing some of Europe’s richest cultural treasures, including Roman and Greek statues preserved in excellent condition, as well as bronze pieces, mosaics, and other works of art.

The agreement between the royal commission and the museum of Naples allows the transfer of a selection of artifacts from Naples in southern Italy to AlUla, northwest the Arabian Peninsula, to showcase the masterpieces of the museum.

The exhibition will showcase 15 masterpieces of historic cities and monuments, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome, and will be one of the main cultural events of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2024, which will take place in AlUla from Nov. 7 to 30.

During the exhibition, visitors will also have the opportunity to attend the AlUla World Archaeology Symposium.