Qemam festival promotes Saudi heritage sites in Asir

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A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)
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A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)
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A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)
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A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)
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A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)
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Updated 21 January 2023
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Qemam festival promotes Saudi heritage sites in Asir

  • Qemam festival seeks to highlight the rich folklore and heritage of the Kingdom, as well as contributing to the development of the theater and performing arts sector

RIYADH: The second Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performance Arts is taking place in seven sites across the Asir region.

The festival, which is organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, continues until Jan. 27.




A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)

The event includes a lively carnival parade in Art Street in Abha, which showcases costumes, folk performances, and floats beautifully decorated in the colors of participating countries.

The festival features 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups.




A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)

Theater and Performing Arts Commission CEO Sultan Al-Bazei said that Qemam is the first global festival to promote heritage sites, in addition to featuring mountain performance arts.

Asir locations in the spotlight include Basta Al-Qabil, Abu Shahra Palace in Al-Masqi, Shamsan Castle, Bin Adwan Heritage Village, Malik Historical Palace, Al-Mushait Palaces, and the Castles of Abu Nuqata Al-Mutahmi.




A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)

Al-Bazei added that visitors to the festival will be introduced to young talents through a variety of musical and art performing shows. These include cultural activities that are not usually found in modern cities.

Qemam festival seeks to highlight the rich folklore and heritage of the Kingdom, as well as contributing to the development of the theater and performing arts sector.




A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)

It celebrates culture in a distinctive festive atmosphere, while helping to develop the sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the country’s national strategy.

Al-Bazei said that the event aims to build on the success achieved by the first festival. It intends to raise the level of awareness of local and international arts and ancient heritage, and provides an opportunity for visitors to explore local history.




A total of 16 Saudi folk bands and 14 international groups will perform at the festival. (SPA)

Abha Literary Club has joined with the festival to present a cultural program through seminars and workshops about performing arts, with the participation of Saudi and international experts.

Each festival site hosts a group of events in allocated areas, such as the exhibition of costumes and theater, village folk activities, platforms for live music, a children’s area, craft shops, and a variety of stores selling different goods, gifts, fashionable clothing, and souvenirs.

There are also live cooking shows with the participation of well-known local chefs.

Visitors have the opportunity to participate in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and camping, which can be arranged with local tourism companies.

 

 


Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

  • Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission and France-based luxury conglomerate Kering have announced a competition to discover and support innovative startups making a meaningful impact on sustainability within the fashion industry.

The initiative, Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, will foster circular innovation, focusing on key themes such as customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection.

The application process is now open to startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia. By December, 20 finalists will be shortlisted to participate in a boot camp in Riyadh.

Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The top 10 proposals will move to the jury evaluation phase, judged on innovation, sustainability, and commercial potential.

The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony in January in Riyadh, where the top three winners will be announced.

The winners will receive a 10-day mentorship trip to Paris with Kering’s sustainability teams and the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the ChangeNow Summit 2025.

The launch follows a strategic memorandum of understanding between the commission and Kering, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to promote sustainable practices in the fashion sector.

CEO of the commission Burak Çakmak said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for fashion in Saudi Arabia.”

Kering’s chief sustainability officer, Marie-Claire Daveu, added: “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”

The collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative fashion industry aligned with global standards.


Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Updated 4 min 8 sec ago
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Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 614 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included three anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines, 574 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 469,576 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

Updated 20 min 28 sec ago
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Kingdom launches new framework to standardize digital services

  • The initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience
  • The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders

RIYADH: The Digital Government Authority has launched the Platform Code, a national framework for designing and developing government platform interfaces in Saudi Arabia.

Unveiled during an event in Riyadh, the initiative aims to unify platform designs, ensuring a seamless and consistent digital user experience.

The event gathered dignitaries, digital transformation leaders from public and private sectors, and key stakeholders.

Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, said that the Platform Code aligns with local and global digital standards.

He described it as a critical step toward comprehensive digital transformation, enhancing compliance, and fostering efficient and impactful services aligned with Saudi Arabia’s strategic digital goals.

The Platform Code, an open-source design system, integrates coding frameworks, design tools, and community guidelines, enabling rapid development of unified user experiences. It allows designers and developers to address specific needs using pre-built assets.

The authority also unveiled the Saudi Digital Strategy, focused on growing the digital economy and expanding opportunities for public and private sector products.

Other initiatives included the Digital Transformation Ambassador program, fostering an integrated digital community, and the Scene Program, promoting holistic user experiences locally and globally through advanced frameworks and tools.

Committed to advancing digital governance, the authority aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in innovative digital services.

It leverages cutting-edge technologies like AI and emerging tech while offering consultancy programs and fostering leadership in digital transformation.

These efforts contribute to Vision 2030’s goals of enhanced service quality and economic growth.


KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts conducted through KSrelief. (SPA)
Updated 18 November 2024
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KSrelief distributes shelter kits in Afghanistan and Somalia

RIYADH: Hundreds of shelter kits have been distributed to people in Afghanistan and Somalia by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Over the weekend, 200 kits were handed out as part of a project to help Afghan returnees from Pakistan and those affected by floods.

The project will provide 4,882 in total containing tents, blankets, plastic mattresses and other essential supplies to almost 30,000 people in need across 13 Afghan provinces.

In Somalia, 1,000 shelter kits, 1,000 clothing parcels, and 80 tents were given to displaced people in the Banadir region, benefitting 6,000 people.


KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria

The aid is part of the ongoing assistance provided by KSrelief to some of the world’s most in need. (SPA)
Updated 18 November 2024
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KSrelief distributes aid to most needy in Lebanon, Chad and Syria

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered more aid to those most in need in Lebanon, Chad and Syria, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

In Chari-Baguirmi, Chad, the agency delivered 1,600 food parcels that benefitted 9,600 people. A further 333 food aid parcels and 333 hygiene kits were distributed in the Idlib region of Syria to help 1,998 individuals from 333 families who were affected by last year’s devastating earthquake.

And in Lebanon, winter clothing vouchers were given to 300 orphans and people with special needs in Akkar governorate. These will help them buy clothing for the forthcoming winter.