Riyadh Season comes to a close with ‘Leila, the Land of Imagination’ show

1 / 3
The Riyadh Season came to a conclusion on Thursday night with Balich Worldwide Shows’ one-night production of “Leila, the Land of Imagination.” (AN Photo/Hala Tashkandi)
2 / 3
The Riyadh Season came to a conclusion on Thursday night with Balich Worldwide Shows’ one-night production of “Leila, the Land of Imagination.” (AN Photo/Hala Tashkandi)
3 / 3
The Riyadh Season came to a conclusion on Thursday night with Balich Worldwide Shows’ one-night production of “Leila, the Land of Imagination.” (AN Photo/Hala Tashkandi)
Short Url
Updated 16 January 2020
Follow

Riyadh Season comes to a close with ‘Leila, the Land of Imagination’ show

  • The hour-and-a-half long show featured an impressive number of technical, musical, and physical feats
  • 488 performers, 293 crew members, and even two horses gave the performance of a lifetime

RIYADH: The Riyadh Season came to a conclusion on Thursday night with Balich Worldwide Shows’ one-night production of “Leila, the Land of Imagination.”

The hour-and-a-half long show featured an impressive number of technical, musical, and physical feats, wowing the Riyadh crowds.

488 performers, 293 crew members, and even two horses gave the performance of a lifetime at the King Fahd International Stadium.

“Your journey is about to begin, Leila. Close your eyes and dream,” said the narrator, and the show began. The show detailed a night of protagonist Leila’s dreams, played with great skill and passion by fresh Saudi face Noura Al-Abeed.

Leila, who represents a “new Saudi generation who live a changing reality,” spent a night traversing Saudi Arabia in a dream, taking viewers on a magical journey across the beautiful landscape of the country.

“No one can believe what I’m seeing. My land, stunning, elegant, magical,” Leila cried in a monologue, earning cheers and applause from the audience.

A scene representing the famous battle of Al Masmak Fort, with a projection of the late King AbdulAziz featured on the giant inflatable castle, garnered huge cheers from the audience, as a traditional war song played along with a Ardah, or war dance.

The show was also punctuated with incredible special effects, with firecrackers going off at intervals to represent thunder during the rain scene, or, an aerial dancer who twirled in the heart of a waterfall, and even a giant, illuminated moon, that trailed across the stage, even serving as a hot air balloon that carried Leila across the desert.

The costumes, props, and stage design were all created to reflect Saudi culture. Over the course of the show, the harsh desert transformed beautifully into a stunning oasis, with palm trees sprouting and lakes forming.

Hundreds of costumes were created for the performance, which ranged from representations of desert animals like oryx and camels, to traditional Saudi men and women’s garb depending on the scene.

The music was a mixture of traditional Saudi beats and more modern music, with each region in Saudi Arabia getting to showcase a traditional dance and traditional costume toward the end of the show.

The show had many on social media calling for an extension, saying that the performance was wasted on a single night.

“I wish more people could get the opportunity to see it, it was so beautiful,” tweeted one showgoer.

“I wanted to go so badly but I was busy tonight. Now that I’ve seen the posts on social media I wish I had gone. It looks stunning,” lamented another Twitter user.

The show ended with a simple, but strong message: anything is possible if you can just imagine it. As Leila’s final monologue says, “I never thought the Land of Imagination would be my own home country.”


Amazon deal delivers Diriyah tech boost

DGDA signed an agreement with Amazon to enhance cooperation in cultural and technical fields.
Updated 6 sec ago
Follow

Amazon deal delivers Diriyah tech boost

  • Collaboration will enrich visitor experience at historical sites in Diriyah, and expand cultural content through Amazon Alexa, a virtual assistant technology

RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has signed an agreement with tech giant Amazon to enhance cooperation in cultural and technical fields.

This collaboration will enrich the visitor experience at historical sites in Diriyah, and expand cultural and historical content through Amazon Alexa, a virtual assistant technology.

The deal was signed by Group CEO of DGDA, Jerry Inzerillo, and Amazon Saudi Arabia Country Manager, Abdo Chlala.

Inzerillo said: “This day represents the beginning of an ongoing collaboration that will help make Diriyah a global destination for culture and heritage as we connect the past to the future by investing in modern technologies, highlighting the rich heritage of Diriyah and the authentic culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Eric King, Amazon’s managing director of Alexa International for EMEA & APAC, said: “We are excited to team up with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to celebrate the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia.

“This collaboration will showcase the Kingdom’s rich traditions and history through our innovative technology that continues to delight our customers and enhance their experiences.”


Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly speaker visits Muslim World League

Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani, is received by MWL secretary-general Mohammed Al-Issa
Updated 57 min 40 sec ago
Follow

Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly speaker visits Muslim World League

  • Muzani expressed appreciation for the MWL’s global efforts to promote Islam’s message of peace and tolerance

RIYADH: The speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani, led a delegation to the headquarters of the Muslim World League in Makkah.

Muzani was received by Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, the league’s secretary-general and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars.

Muzani delivered greetings from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and expressed appreciation for the MWL’s global efforts to promote Islam’s message of peace and tolerance.

He said that the league, through its extensive outreach and dialogue initiatives across diverse cultures and religions, effectively conveys the true essence of Islam.


King Salman receives written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin

Updated 26 December 2024
Follow

King Salman receives written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a written message on Thursday from Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, about relations between Moscow and Riyadh.

Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Saudi deputy minister of foreign affairs, accepted the message on the king’s behalf during a meeting with Sergey Kozlov, the Russian ambassador to Saudi Arabia. They discussed relations between their countries and ways in which they might be enhanced, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Updated 26 December 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia denounces Israeli far-right minister’s incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque

  • Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit and prayer at Al-Aqsa provoked ‘the feelings of Muslims worldwide’
  • The Kingdom also condemns the advance by Israeli occupation forces in southern Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visit by the Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministry said that the national security minister’s visit and prayer at the Al-Aqsa compound on Thursday morning was a clear violation and provocation of the feelings of Muslims worldwide.

Ben-Gvir has repeatedly contested the Israeli government’s longstanding ban on Jewish prayer at the Al-Aqsa compound, which has been a focal point of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem is Islam’s holiest site after the mosques in Makkah and Madinah and is a symbol of Palestinian national identity.

The Saudi ministry on Thursday also condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ advance in southern Syria after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in early December.

“The continuation of (Israeli) military operations in Syria is an attempt to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability,” the ministry said in a statement.


Saudi foreign minister takes part in GCC extraordinary meeting in Kuwait

Updated 26 December 2024
Follow

Saudi foreign minister takes part in GCC extraordinary meeting in Kuwait

  • GCC officials reject foreign interference in Syrian affairs, call for lifting of Western sanctions
  • Meeting affirms GCC’s support for Palestinian people and demands ceasefire in Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part in the 46th extraordinary meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s ministerial council in Kuwait on Thursday.

Ministers and officials from GCC countries discussed the latest developments in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza.

They stressed the need to uphold Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in early December.

The ministerial council rejected foreign interference in Syrian affairs and called for Western sanctions that have weakened the country’s economy to be lifted, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive transitional process that ensures civilian safety, achieves national reconciliation, and preserves state institutions.

The council condemned Israeli attacks on Syria and the plan to expand illegal settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. It also condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

Officials stressed that Lebanon needs political and economic reforms to prevent it from becoming a hub for terrorism and drug smuggling, highlighting the critical role of the Lebanese security forces in addressing these issues, the SPA added.

The meeting affirmed the GCC’s support for the Palestinian people, and called for a permanent ceasefire, an end to the siege in Gaza, and the supply of humanitarian aid.

Prince Sultan bin Saad, Saudi ambassador to Kuwait, and other senior Saudi foreign officials attended the meeting.