Riyadh’s Disney on Ice is a real-life fantasy

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A Performer dressed as Walt Disney's animated cartoon character Mickey Mouse, performs during Disney On Ice festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 24, 2022. (REUTERS)
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A Performer dressed as Walt Disney's animated cartoon character Jessie from Toy Story, performs during Disney On Ice festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 24, 2022. (REUTERS)
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The Disney on Ice event will continue at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21. (AN photo by Saleh Al-Ghannam)
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The Disney on Ice event will continue at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21. (AN photo by Saleh Al-Ghannam)
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The Disney on Ice event will continue at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21. (AN photo by Saleh Al-Ghannam)
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The Disney on Ice event will continue at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21. (AN photo by Saleh Al-Ghannam)
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The Disney on Ice event will continue at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21. (AN photo by Saleh Al-Ghannam)
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Updated 31 August 2022
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Riyadh’s Disney on Ice is a real-life fantasy

  • The Arab News team spoke to the skaters who came from the US to perform in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Fans will be able to see their favorite Disney tales performed live on ice at Boulevard Arena in Riyadh until Sept. 21.

They will be able to join their favorite characters during the performance of “Disney on Ice presents Mickey and Friends.”

The show is a collaboration between Feld Entertainment, which produces the show, and the General Entertainment Authority, which seeks to diversify entertainment options in the Kingdom.

At the opening ceremony, children showed up in Disney character costumes and danced and sang along with the show.

Throughout the show, the audience can join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Hosts invite viewers to participate in the action by guiding their companions through Disney stories on Mickey’s “mouse pad” and highlighting special moments from beloved classics.

As Moana shows bravery to preserve her island while on a high-seas adventure with the hero, Maui, families sail along with them.

HIGHLIGHT

Throughout the show, the audience can join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Hosts invite viewers to participate in the action by guiding their companions through Disney stories on Mickey’s ‘mouse pad’ and highlighting special moments from beloved classics.

As royal sisters Anna and Elsa learn that genuine love is the most potent magic in the icy land of Arendelle in “Frozen,” families can encounter the enigmatic tricks of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

Sergio Artigas, head of marketing at Feld Entertainment, said that he could not fully describe how magical this journey to Saudi Arabia was.

“I’m very excited to be here, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofey are overwhelmed by the love and the warmth they have felt here in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Keri Jones, the tour manager, said that Saudi Arabia had surprised her and she was excited to be here.

“I don’t know what I was expecting but everyone has been so welcoming,” she said. “We know that people are excited for ‘Disney On Ice’ and we are just really excited to bring this here.”

“The idea of coming to Saudi Arabia has been there for five years now and we started talking to production and we started conversations three months ago; we arrived two weeks ago and started a rehearsing period for the cast and the crew; now we are ready.”

The Arab News team spoke to the skaters who came from the US to perform in the Kingdom.

“We practice and spend a lot of time rehearsing the show so that everyone can come and enjoy the magic,” said Josh, one of the skaters.

“I am originally from Canada, so ice is something natural to me, especially skating, and on behalf of all of us, I can say we’re loving it here,” said Melina, another skater. “The food is amazing, we feel very welcome, and we hope you guys enjoy the show,” she said.

In the “Live Your Story” section, attendees join Disney princesses as they use perseverance, determination and hard work to inspire Mickey and children around the world to share their favorite Disney memories.

Two sisters, Lara and Aleen Al-Jumai’a, expressed their delight at the wonderful performance.

“I was blown away by the show and I’m happy that I got to see it since it was the first show in the Kingdom. We enjoyed seeing our favorite characters, especially Elsa from Frozen,” Al-Jumai’a said.

 


200 students will compete to represent Saudi Arabia at top science events

Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education announced the qualification of the 200 students who are pictured above. (@mawhiba)
Updated 7 sec ago
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200 students will compete to represent Saudi Arabia at top science events

  • Mawhiba, Ministry of Education select students from a record 291,057 applications

RIYADH: A total of 200 students have been chosen to compete for a chance to represent the Kingdom at next year’s prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair and other international competitions.

The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, and the Ministry of Education announced the qualification of the 200 students, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The announcement took place at the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, or Ibdaa, exhibition for science and engineering. The Ibdaa event is held to create a competitive and creative environment for pre-college scientific researchers.

The students were selected from among 480 participants in the recent regional exhibitions held as a part of the fourth stage of the Olympiad.

The final qualifying stage for the Olympiad will be held at the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University conference center in Riyadh from Feb. 2 to 6.

The Ibdaa 2025 Olympiad had a record registration of 291,057 students.

The Olympiad is an annual international contest for middle and high school students in standards and technology. It started as a local event in Korea in 2006, and became an international contest in 2014.


Beekeepers’ association launches green campaign

Updated 26 December 2024
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Beekeepers’ association launches green campaign

RIYADH: The Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Rijal Almaa in the Asir Region on Thursday launched an initiative to plant 1,000 sidr trees in Wadi Hiswah as part of an environmental sustainability plan aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative.

Inaugurated in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative unites environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability programs with the overarching aims of offsetting and reducing emissions, increasing afforestation and land restoration, and supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2060.

The Beekeepers Association launched the green campaign in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The chairman of the association’s board of directors, Ali bin Yahya Al-Hayani, said that this initiative aims to enhance air quality and combat climate change.

He identified the environmental benefits of the sidr tree, highlighting its resilience, its role in combating desertification, and its contribution to soil health and biodiversity.


Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved 

Updated 26 December 2024
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Reconstituted Saudi IP authority’s board of directors approved 

  • Shihana Alazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair

RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property’s newly-reconstituted Board of Directors was approved for a three-year term, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

In the reconstituted board, Shihana Alazzaz, who is an adviser at the Royal Court, will continue to serve as chair. She previously served as the deputy secretary-general of the Council of Ministers and was the first Saudi woman to hold the position.

The approval includes extending the membership of Eng. Haitham Al-Ohali, Eng. Osama Al-Zamil, and Dima Al-Yahya.

Badr Al-Qadi and Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi join the board as new members. 

Alazzaz expressed her thanks and gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous and continuous support for the authority.

She also thanked the previous board members for their efforts and wished the new members success.

The authority’s CEO Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, said that the new formation of the board reflects the continued generous support of the leadership for the authority, wishing the Board success.


Grand Mosque authority announces free storage for Umrah performers

Updated 26 December 2024
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Grand Mosque authority announces free storage for Umrah performers

  • Storage facilities are located near the Makkah Library and Gate 64

MAKKAH: Authorities in the holy city of Makkah announced on Wednesday free luggage storage for Umrah performers.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that free storage facilities are available to the east of the Grand Mosque, near the Makkah Library, and to the west, near Gate 64.

Umrah performers must present their permits through the Nusuk app to access the facilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Umrah performers can store bags, not loose items, weighing up to 7 kilograms for a maximum of four hours. Valuables, prohibited items, food, and medicine are not permitted. A claim ticket must be presented for retrieval.

The authority plans to extend the service to encompass all areas around the Grand Mosque to better assist visitors, the SPA added.


King Salman, Crown Prince send condolences to Azerbaijan president

Updated 26 December 2024
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King Salman, Crown Prince send condolences to Azerbaijan president

  • The King and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extend sympathies to families of plane crash victims

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman each sent messages of condolence and sympathy to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday, after the tragic crash of a passenger plane.

The King and the crown prince also extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives onboard the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On Wednesday morning, the passenger plane, traveling from Azerbaijan to Russia, crashed near Aktau, western Kazakhstan, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board.

Kazakh authorities announced that 28 people had survived.