People drawn by wide variety of events on offer, GEA chairman says
Many events, especially those held during the Founding Day celebrations in Boulevard Riyadh City, sold out rapidly
Updated 28 February 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: About 15 million visitors from around the world have now attended Riyadh Calendar events, according to the General Entertainment Authority.
Visitors were drawn by the wide variety of international and local entertainment on offer, chairman Turki Al-Sheikh said.
Many events, especially those held during the Founding Day celebrations in Boulevard Riyadh City, sold out rapidly, he added.
The Riyadh Calendar encompasses a vast collection of events, festivals and exhibitions that give visitors the chance to experience and enjoy the cultures and customs of many different nations.
Events are continuously being organized in the dedicated entertainment zones, which have also provided a huge economic benefit to local communities by creating jobs and nurturing investment.
The events have also attracted foreign investment, which has enhanced the entertainment sector in the Kingdom.
The 15 million visitor milestone is testimony to the efforts of the GEA to provide high quality entertainment for all kinds of people.
Workshops, live demonstrations revive traditional arts like sadu weaving, palm crafts, stone carving
Updated 19 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: The Baha Craftsmen Forum, organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, is empowering local artisans in the region.
Free five-day craft training courses are being offered during the second week of the forum as part of the Baha Summer Festival.
Supervised by specialized trainers, they run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The courses focus on skills such as palm crafts (wickerwork), sadu weaving, crochet doll making, and stone and marble carving.
The month-long forum, which is held in partnership with governmental and private entities, continues to strengthen Baha’s cultural identity.
Celebrating local heritage, the forum has attracted large crowds. A standout attraction is the sadu weaving corner, which is valued for its deep cultural significance and artistic elegance.
One participant, craftswoman Salha Al-Ghamdi, captivated visitors with a live demonstration of traditional weaving, showcasing over 20 years of experience and dedication to the heritage-rich craft.
She introduced audiences to the intricate techniques of sadu weaving, the materials used, and how the resulting products are transformed into various functional and decorative items.
Sadu is a time-honored handicraft practiced by women in desert communities and involves weaving wool with colorful threads into patterns inspired by the environment.
Renowned for its geometric precision and distinct aesthetic, the art highlights the skill and creativity of the craftswomen.
The forum aims to showcase the region’s traditional crafts and cultural heritage while fostering interaction between the artisans and the public.
Saudi aid agency helps crisis-hit people worldwide
The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state
In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province
Updated 48 min 56 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to make a significant global impact by providing critical assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The agency distributed 500 food baskets to families returning from displacement in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state, benefiting 3,999 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
In Afghanistan, KSrelief distributed 100 food baskets at the Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing to Afghan citizens returning from Pakistan.
In Lebanon, 569 food baskets were distributed to Syrian refugees and vulnerable host families in the Koura district of North Lebanon, benefiting 2,845 people.
In Pakistan, the agency distributed 2,167 food baskets in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Rajanpur in the Punjab province, reaching 18,210 people in flood-affected areas.
Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,588 projects worth more than $8.1 billion across 108 countries, in partnership with more than 321 organizations.
Jeddah’s newest indoor jungle brings nature to the city this summer
The 45-day Forest Wonders is a part of the broader Jeddah Season push to offer diverse, family-oriented entertainment
Updated 19 July 2025
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Families in Jeddah are skipping summertime’s typical indoor mall circuit and heading somewhere … wilder.
The newly opened Forest Wonders indoor jungle is offering a nature-inspired escape in the heart of the coastal city, including turtles to pat, goats to feed and lemurs to meet.
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)
“As far as I know, such animal jungles don’t just offer fun experiences but also educate the public about wildlife conservation,” 36-year-old Abdullah Al-Hashmi told Arab News while waiting in line with his family on opening day.
“It is a new experience for (the kids) and they are excited about it,” he said.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The newly opened Forest Wonders indoor jungle is offering a nature-inspired escape.
• It features more than 200 animals in themed zones such as the Meercat Zone, Raccoon Enclosure, and the Secret Garden.
• Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters.
Located on King Abdulaziz Road, the jungle-like venue opened on July 16 as part of this year’s Jeddah Season.
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)
The air-conditioned space, covering 7,500 sq. m, features more than 200 animals in themed zones such as the Meercat Zone, Raccoon Enclosure, Bird Park and the Secret Garden, where rare animals are hidden among the foliage.
“It was fun and we enjoyed every zone or area,” said Jameel Al-Shikhi, visiting with his wife and two children.
Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters. (AN photo)
“The kids had fun with the most of the animals and they still want to see more.”
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education, including on topics such as sustainability, farming and animal care.
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)
Young visitors can color, plant or play skill games between feeding stations and animal encounters.
“It is really connecting people with animals and the kids enjoyed many activities such playing, feeding, planting, drawing and watching the diverse animals closely,” Al-Shikhi said.
From flamingos and reptiles to cats and birds, the experience blends wildlife interaction with environmental education. (AN photo)
According to officials of the National Events Center, the 45-day Forest Wonders is a part of the broader Jeddah Season push to offer diverse, family-oriented entertainment.
Whether it is snapping a photo with a raccoon, learning about farming or simply watching a lemur, Forest Wonders offers a breath of fresh, leafy air in the middle of Jeddah’s urban summer.
Riyadh welcomes Japanese cultural flair at Esports World Cup
The streets of Japan Park have been transformed into an interactive world of Tokyo-inspired streets and manga-themed photo zones
Updated 19 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Amid the fast-paced tournaments and flashing screens at the Esports World Cup in Boulevard Riyadh City, a quieter kind of immersion — one rooted in culture, not gameplay — is drawing crowds.
At Japan Park, visitors are stepping into “yukatas,” the traditional Japanese summer garment that merges Japanese heritage with the modern world of esports.
The garment, which is worn during festivals and public celebrations in Japan, was redesigned with a contemporary twist inspired by popular characters and iconic elements of Japanese visual culture.
FASTFACTS
• At Japan Park entrance, visitors can register via QR code and receive a yukata to wear for free.
• In the calligraphy corner, visitors learn to write their names in kanji under the guidance of Japanese artists.
The experience offers Saudis and tourists alike the chance to explore Japanese heritage in the heart of Riyadh.
At the park entrance, visitors can register via QR code and receive a yukata to wear for free. Staff help guests to suit up correctly, maintaining respect for the garment’s cultural roots.
The streets of Japan Park have been transformed into an interactive world of Tokyo-inspired streets and manga-themed photo zones. The decor draws from vibrant districts such as Shibuya and other landmarks from Japanese pop culture.
The yukata experience is part of the broader cultural showcase that includes workshops on origami and uchiwa conducted by Japanese professionals.
In the calligraphy corner, visitors learn to write their names in kanji under the guidance of Japanese artists. It is slow, meticulous work in contrast to the speed of the esports tournaments happening just steps away.
The food stalls serve ramen, sushi and traditional desserts such as mochi, adding another sensory layer to the cultural experience.
While much of the Esports World Cup is about international gaming and competition, Japan Park offers a more reflective counterpoint.
It is a reminder that global pop culture — from anime to fashion and food — is inseparable from the traditions that shape it.
Wasl Community’s CEO Mohammed Al-Razqi said the initiative reflected the belief that empowering people was essential to effective communication, and that strong content started with developing talent
Updated 19 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Wasl Community has concluded its Media Skills Week initiative, which was held in Riyadh from July 13-18 at PureMinds Studios. The program targeted university students majoring in communication and media who were aiming to enhance their practical skills to align themselves with job market demands.
The week-long initiative attracted more than 1,000 registrants and offered more than 20 hours of specialized training through professional workshops led by experienced media and communication experts.
The workshops covered key topics, including spokesperson skills and media appearances by Majid Al-Ghamdi; fundamentals of strategic communication by Abdulrahman Al-Sultan; media content creation and management by Waleed Al-Harbi; internal communication by Najla Al-Otaibi; media production from writing to publishing by Saad Moamen; and corporate audio identity by Abdullah Al-Zarzour.
Wasl Community’s CEO Mohammed Al-Razqi said the initiative reflected the belief that empowering people was essential to effective communication, and that strong content started with developing talent.
He said: “Media Skills Week was designed to connect knowledge with practice. We are proud of the strong turnout from ambitious students and graduates, and we look forward to offering even more impactful programs in the future.”
Wasl Community is a nonprofit professional network registered under the Hawi platform and part of the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030. It brings together professionals in corporate communication, media, and marketing across various sectors.
The community organizes programs, expert meetups, and projects to enhance practitioners’ skills and elevate the media sector’s professional image in Saudi Arabia.
