RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will attend the closing ceremony of the National Cultural Awards initiative, organized by the Ministry of Culture, on April 19 in Riyadh.
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan praised the crown prince’s “generous patronage of this cultural event,” which honors creative people in the Kingdom, including entrepreneurs and the youth, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
He said that this ceremony will crown the nation’s greatest intellectuals, and “is an indication of the appreciation, attention, and care that culture enjoys from the Saudi leadership, in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which raised the value of culture and gave it its high position as one of the components of quality of life and the main components of national identity.”
The minister extended his thanks to King Salman and the crown prince for their continuous and growing support for the culture sector and its various creative fields in all regions of the Kingdom.
During the closing ceremony — which will be held at the Culture Palace in the Al-Safarat neighborhood, Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter — the winners of the initiative’s awards will be honored. There are 14 categories of awards covering various cultural fields in the Kingdom, including film, theater, fashion, music, literature, architecture, visual arts, culinary arts, national heritage, publication, and translation.
There are also cultural awards for Personality of the Year, youth, and cultural institutions.
The awards ceremony brings to an end the journey the National Cultural Awards initiative has made since it began in June last year, during which it received about 15,000 nominations from the entire cultural community. The screening process began in October, the eliminations were held in November, and the evaluation and judging process was in December, the SPA said.
The nominations were distributed among the different branches and specializations of the initiative.
The Ministry of Culture organized the awards initiative as part of the initiatives of the Quality of Life Program, one of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs.
It aims to “provide established honorary paths for cultural achievements in the Kingdom, and to celebrate the accomplishments of Saudi creative makers, whether individuals, groups, or institutions in all cultural sectors.”
The initiative is based on the ministry’s belief in the importance of local cultural production, and raising it to higher levels of quality and mastery, to create a competitive cultural environment that enriches and diversifies cultural content.
Saudi crown prince to attend National Cultural Awards closing ceremony
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Saudi crown prince to attend National Cultural Awards closing ceremony
- The ceremony will crown the nation’s greatest intellectuals, says culture minister
- National Cultural Awards initiative began in June 2020
Diriyah Season 24/25 launches celebration of history, culture and arts
- Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition
RIYADH: The Diriyah Company has announced the launch of Diriyah Season 24/25, which begins on Friday, Dec. 20 with a display of Diriyah’s heritage, hospitality, and immersive cultural experiences through various programs.
Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Company, said: “We anticipate welcoming three million visitors to At-Turaif district, the birthplace of the Kingdom, by Founding Day on Feb. 22, 2025.
“We are breaking records in visitor numbers and forming numerous partnerships for ground and tour operations, with new flights already arriving from countries like China. The international presence in Bujairi is evident every night, making it one of the world’s premier gathering spots.”
Under the theme “Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,” Diriyah Season 24/25 will kick off with the Enduring Resilience Exhibition, honoring the legacy of Imam Turki bin Abdullah, who founded the Second Saudi State 200 years ago. The much-anticipated Layali Diriyah returns with innovative experiences, while Minzal invites visitors to appreciate the natural beauty and heritage of Diriyah in a winter wonderland.
Guests can engage with the “850” interactive experience, immersing themselves in the narratives of significant historical figures. The Diriyah Storytelling Festival will celebrate literature and promote cultural exchange. Additionally, the Tyn Festival will bring together architects, academics and enthusiasts to celebrate the region’s tradition of mud architecture.
In the historic At-Turaif district and Bujairi Terrace, visitors will embark on a journey filled with cultural and artistic expression. The Souq program combines performing arts with a heritage backdrop enriched by modern elements. Lastly, the Samri Art Activities will offer interactive performances of Samri folk music and dance at various locations in Diriyah throughout the season.
UN Internet Governance Forum concludes in Riyadh
- Event witnessed launch of Riyadh Declaration to help strengthen international partnerships in AI
- Forum featured experts from 170 countries
RIYADH: The UN Internet Governance Forum concluded its 19th edition on Thursday at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
The forum’s organizers said that the global event had focused on internet governance policies and emerging digital challenges. It had achieved the highest attendance in the history of the forum, surpassing 11,000 participants.
The forum also witnessed the launch of the Riyadh Declaration, a document which aims at strengthening international partnerships in artificial intelligence and digital technologies to serve humanity.
The event featured experts and specialists in internet technology and policy from 170 countries, with more than 1,000 international speakers contributing to over 300 sessions and workshops, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It revolved around four main topics: innovation and risk in the digital space; development and sustainability; promoting human rights and inclusiveness; and improving the digital governance of the internet, the SPA added.
King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival concludes with record-breaking prize pool
- The 17-day event featured 1,032 falconers from nine countries, 3,322 birds and a total prize pool of $9.6 million
The 2024 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which featured a prize pool of more than SR36 million ($9.6 million), the largest in the history of the event, concluded on Thursday.
The festival, which began on Dec. 3 and was organized by the The Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, featured 1,032 falconers, of whom 160 came from outside the Kingdom. They represented nine countries — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Italy and Ireland — and brought with them 3,322 birds. A youth section included 49 young falconers.
The festival culminated in two rounds of the King’s Sword, the toughest and most lucrative section of the Melwah competition, with total prize pools of SR925,000 for each round.
Barghash Al-Mansouri, who won the first round in the Shaheen and Hur categories, said his falcon SH13 had performed exceptionally well to clinch first place. He said the bird has great strength but can be affected by adverse wind conditions. On the day, however, conditions were favorable and it was able to maintain stability and perform at its best.
He added that he had expected Shama, a falcon owned by Fahd Al-Mansouri, to take the top spot but instead it finished second. He thanked the club for its exceptional efforts in organizing the festival and congratulated all the winners, noting that the competition grows stronger each year.
Talal Al-Shumaisi, CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, thanked the Kingdom’s leaders for their support of falconry and its heritage, in particular Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the club’s general supervisor. He also thanked Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, the chairman of the board of directors of the club, for his support.
Princess Nourah University launches ‘Itar’ exhibition to highlight student filmmaking projects
- The exhibition features seven short films, each with distinct themes drawn from the cultural identity of the Kingdom
RIYADH: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, represented by the College of Design and Arts, has launched the “Itar Exhibition 2024” to feature the graduation projects of 26 students from the film production and animation program.
The exhibition, which is part of the Department of Film and Theater Arts’ graduation project course, features seven short films, each with distinct themes drawn from the cultural identity of the Kingdom.
The exhibition highlights the cognitive, technical, and creative skills developed by the graduates through their film projects, demonstrating their proficiency in applying creative and critical thinking methodologies.
The exhibition provides a platform for interaction and collaboration among graduates, university students, employers, industry professionals, researchers, partners, the business sector, and the broader community. It also prepares graduates to compete in the job market and venture into entrepreneurship.
Haya Al-Rashoud, head of the Department of Film and Theater Arts at PNU, said that the exhibition is part of the College of Design and Arts’ commitment to developing national talent. It aims to foster a supportive and inspiring environment for creativity, expertise, and specialized scientific skills, while aligning with the evolving demands of the labor market, particularly in the film industry.
The “Itar Exhibition 2024” at the College of Design and Arts reflects the objectives of PNU’s 2025 strategic plan, aiming to cultivate competitive talent and empower female students. It creates an educational environment that inspires creativity, enriches cultural and artistic expression, and promotes learning, research, and innovation.
Additionally, it underscores the university’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership in driving development and progress.
Telling stories of Al-Ahsa through art
- Fatima Al-Hammadi uses fronds to showcase the history and heritage of her region through a natural element
MAKKAH: In a small house shaded by palm trees in the heart of Al-Ahsa’s palm oasis, artist Fatima Al-Hammadi transforms fronds – often considered mere remnants of palm trees – into works of art.
Her creations tell the story of Al-Ahsa’s ancient heritage. Since childhood, Al-Hammadi viewed the surrounding palm trees from a unique perspective.
They were not just a source of livelihood; they symbolized civilization itself. Motivated by this, she decided to breathe new life into the fronds, using her art to highlight the beauty of Saudi heritage both locally and internationally.
A graphic artist accredited by the Saudi Ministry of Education, Al-Hammadi told Arab News, “I have always been passionate about graphic art. It is a dream I have aspired to achieve on the global stage.
“I have always wanted to become an internationally recognized graphic artist. Today, I am working hard to make that dream a reality, armed with my skills and my deep connection to the heritage of my homeland, Al-Ahsa.”
“Al-Ahsa, the famous palm oasis in the Eastern Province, inspired me to transform the land’s natural bounty into art. Palm fronds are the primary material I use in my work. I take them – once considered waste, destined to be burned – and transform them into art that reflects the story of Al-Ahsa’s civilization and heritage. My goal has always been to showcase the history and heritage of my region through this natural element. My work has been highly appreciated in Al-Ahsa and across the Kingdom,” she explained.
“During the various exhibitions and events I have participated in, I noticed the public’s interest and fascination with artwork that blends nature and creativity.” She attributes her choice of palm fronds to her inspiration from nature itself, which has earned her recognition among both art lovers and heritage enthusiasts.
Reflecting on the evolution of graphic art in the Kingdom, Al-Hammadi noted its remarkable growth and prosperity.
“The fact that young men and women are showing increased interest in graphic arts signals the maturing taste of the Kingdom’s art scene. However, this sector requires greater support from art institutions,” she said, emphasizing the importance of artists’ awareness of their local culture and national heritage in fostering the growth of graphic art.
Underlining the need for more local and international art exhibitions and opportunities for artists to participate in local, Arab and international art fair, she said: “This kind of support is crucial for raising the profile of Saudi graphic art and enabling it to compete on the world stage.”
With her ambitious vision and the support of her community, Al-Hammadi looks forward to a bright future for graphic arts in the Kingdom, where creativity serves as a bridge between the ancient past and the present.
