JEDDAH: Japanese singer SennaRin held her debut concert on Saturday, with Saudis as her first audience.
The 20-year-old musical artist, who has yet to publicly perform in her home country, treated fans in City Walk’s Anime Village to a 16-track set as part of Jeddah Season.
She told Arab News: “I have really enjoyed the experience, especially after seeing how people interacted with me. I would never forget how sweet people were and how they tried to communicate with me and show their love.”
She said she tried not to make any mistakes because she had to sing 16 songs, something which made her nervous.
“But seeing how people were enjoying their time and singing along with me made me focus on the ‘enjoy the moment’ idea and relaxed my nerves.”
She also revealed that while she was still in Japan her team had shown her videos of other concerts in the Kingdom and said these had added to her excitement. “When I saw how the audience are interacting with the singers, I couldn’t wait to stand on the stage and perform.”
She delighted the audience with original songs “Dust,” “BEEP,” “Call Your Name,” “Into the Sky,” “Narrative,” and “Zero Eclipse.”
Sumayah Saeed, 21, said she knew about SennaRin because of the anime track “Die Neue These Clash” and that “without a doubt” she became a fan of the singer because of her “soothing, strong, and powerful” voice.
Hafsa Ranjha, 22, said: “I feel so alive, to be honest, because this is my first concert too, and I think it will be my last concert as well because this was the best concert.”
SennaRin made her debut with an EP album under Sony Music Labels after she was recognized for her distinctive and low-toned voice. The first four tracks in the EP were produced by lyricist and composer Hiroyuki Sawano, who is known for producing theme songs for globally loved anime like “Attack on Titan.”
“I’m looking forward to holding my second performance here in the Kingdom. I will do my best to improve and come back again for Saudi fans,” SennaRin added. “Despite the long distance between us, you can listen to me on YouTube until we meet again.”
She initially earned national recognition for singing covers. A staff member who works with Sawano noticed her talent and showed him her videos, leading him to produce her major debut album.
She released four collaborations before debuting, which is rare for a pre-debut artist. Two of the tracks are theme songs for anime. One was for “Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Clash,” and the other was for “Melt.”
Japanese singer SennaRin holds debut concert with Saudis her first audience
https://arab.news/gp7rh
Japanese singer SennaRin holds debut concert with Saudis her first audience
- The 20-year-old musical artist treated fans in City Walk’s Anime Village to a 16-track set as part of Jeddah Season
- She delighted the audience with original songs “Dust,” “BEEP,” “Call Your Name,” “Into the Sky,” “Narrative,” and “Zero Eclipse”
Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh
- ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition held to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan
RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday.
Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”
He added that he was happy to see “Saudi artists being inspired by the Japanese manga to create their artworks.”
“I sincerely hope this exhibition will make another footprint of the Japanese culture in KSA and give a great impact in the Saudi art scene,” he said.
The exhibition has been organized in cooperation with the Saudi Museums Commission and the Japan Foundation and is open to the public until Feb. 8.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.
The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.
Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation
RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.
The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.
The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
A version of this story originally appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
- The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.
In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.
The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.
KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.
New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
- Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve
RIYADH: A groundbreaking scientific study has unveiled the first detailed list of reptile species in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Conducted by the reserve’s development authority, the study was published in the Amphibian & Reptiles Conservation journal.
Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve. Three species were also newly documented, raising the reserve’s known total to 34.
The research highlighted two endangered species, the Egyptian monitor lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) and the Wolfgangboehmei gecko (Tropicolotes wolfgangboehmei), which both face threats from climate change and human activity, according to the study.
Spanning from November 2022 to October 2023, the study employed tools such as genetic barcoding and highlighted the reserve’s ecological diversity.
Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program and the Saudi Green Initiative, the study is part of efforts to protect endangered species and sustain wildlife in Saudi Arabia. Researchers recommended enhanced monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate environmental challenges.
