A world of wonder in store during Riyadh Season 2024

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Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the details of the fifth Riyadh Season in a press conference held in Riyadh. (AN Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the details of the fifth Riyadh Season in a press conference held in Riyadh. (AN Photo: Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 29 August 2024
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A world of wonder in store during Riyadh Season 2024

  • Full program of events unveiled, including major international sporting events, exhibitions, theatrical performances and live music

RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2024, which begins on Oct. 12, will feature 14 entertainment zones, 11 world championships and 10 exhibitions and festivals.   

Full details of the attractions and events during the fifth season were revealed on Wednesday at the St. Regis in VIA Riyadh by Turki Alalshikh, chairperson of the General Entertainment Authority.   

He said they will take place within an area of over 7.2 million square meters, and that “4,200 contracts have been signed with 2,100 local companies that account for 95 percent of all businesses participating in the season.”   

Kingdom Arena  

Building on the growth in size and scale of previous seasons, Alalshikh said the Kingdom Arena zone has been expanded by more than 40 percent this year, boosting its capacity to over 27,000 spectators.   

It will host four world championships, including the Oct. 12, season-opening IV Crown Showdown, a boxing card that includes the light heavyweight world title showdown between Russian boxers Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. 

Boxing fans can also look forward to a rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at the arena on Dec. 21, and the venue will also host the 2024 African Super Cup final on Sep. 27 between Egyptian sides Al-Ahly and Zamalek.   

The Venue  

 ‏The Venue, a new area added to Riyadh Season this year, will host seven events including the Six King Slam, a tennis event in October featuring some of the world’s top players.  

Organized by Riyadh Season and MBC Group, The Venue will also host the fifth Joy Awards, Saudi Arabia’s largest event recognizing and honoring the Arab world’s leading artists and their achievements.   

Set to take place in The Venue, the WWE Crown Jewel will be held on Nov. 2, and the Raw show on Nov. 3.   

Dedicated to honoring marketing effectiveness in the Kingdom, the MENA Effie Awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 21 at The Venue.   

Renowned fashion designer Elie Saab will launch his Fall 2025 collection inspired by Riyadh Season.  

And for the first time, the Kingdom will welcome a Power Slap event, a competition in which contestants take turns slapping one another.   

Boulevard World   

This season, Boulevard World will have five additional zones devoted to Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Africa and the French ski resort Courchevel, for a total of 19 zones. It will have 300 restaurants and cafes, and more than 1,400 shops.  

Boulevard City 

Boulevard City will have a busy schedule during Riyadh Season, with 25 restaurants and cafes, 12 plays, and 12 concerts.   

Alalshikh said the city will also host a stand-up comedy evening featuring the star of the “Bad Boys” movie series, Martin Lawrence.   

Manga and anime fans can look forward to a “Detective Conan” experience, while younger viewers will enjoy the event “Land of Dreams,” based on the “Bluey” cartoon series.   

For gamers, there will be events focusing on PUBG Mobile and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.   

Aficionados of film scores can watch renowned German composer Hans Zimmer perform some of his most memorable movie themes live on stage.   

Visitors will also get the chance to travel back in time to an era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth by visiting “Olulu,” a huge dinosaur exhibition featuring a model standing at over 20 meters tall.   

Premier Padel P1   

After a successful debut in February and March, Premier Padel P1, a high-level padel tournament, will return to Riyadh Season.   

Along with the second World Snooker Masters event of the year, the opening of a snooker academy backed by superstar British player Ronnie O’Sullivan is also planned.   

Padel Rush, a zone dedicated to playing padel in Boulevard City will host the “Cristiano Ronaldo Padel Experience” in partnership with the global superstar.  

 Boulevard Runway   

This new venue, created in partnership with Saudia, features three Boeing 777 airplanes that have been transformed into retail spaces, restaurants, interactive experiences and games for adults and children.   

Wonder Garden   

The Wonder Garden has been enhanced to accommodate more visitors. This year, it will offer over 60 theatrical and roaming shows, 65 games and experiences, and more than 40 restaurants.   

Al-Murabba   

A Christian Dior Exhibition and Museum will open in the historic Al-Murabba district during Riyadh Season, along with a Dior Cafe and a gift shop featuring 500 dresses, vintage and new. It follows similar exhibitions in New York and Paris.   

The Groves   

The Groves area will feature new cafes and restaurants, a theater overlooking a lake, and outdoor lounges. During Riyadh Season, The Groves will host live music, theatrical performances and art installations.   

Dunes of Arabia   

The Dunes of Arabia is designed to cater to desert enthusiasts by offering immersive experiences and activities such as sandboarding, desert buggy rides, dune treks, archery and camel riding.   

Dog Festival   

Riyadh Season will host its first Dog Festival. Over 350 dogs and their owners from around the world will compete in five championships set to take place at Boulevard Hall from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30.   

Free areas   

For a third consecutive year, Riyadh Zoo will be one of three areas to offer free entry.   

The second free area, Swaidi Park, which has been organized this year in association with the Ministry of Media, will for 45 days showcase the cultures of nine countries — Yemen, Sudan, Jordan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines — and the Levant region.   

Meanwhile, Souq Al-Awwalin will offer an extensive shopping experience featuring traditional markets, handicrafts and clothing designed to appeal to visitors from both within and outside the Kingdom, as well as cultural performances. As part of Riyadh Season’s social responsibility initiatives, special event days for orphans will take place at Boulevard World and the Wonder Garden.


First public Day of the Dead celebration held by Mexican Embassy

Updated 26 sec ago
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First public Day of the Dead celebration held by Mexican Embassy

RIYADH: In a historic evening, the Embassy of Mexico in Riyadh publicly hosted the Day of the Dead celebration for the first time in Saudi Arabia, opening the doors for everyone to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and ancient traditions.

“We are thrilled, we are very happy. This is the first time that we are celebrating this cultural tradition open to the public — most of the time we used to do some small gatherings inside the Embassy, but for the first time we are doing it open to the public,” Mexico’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Anibal Gomez Toledo, told Arab News.

“Since Saudi Arabia and its Vision 2030 is embracing the world’s cultural expressions, I think this is an opportunity to get together, to invite our Saudi friends, to invite the international community, and to get together all of us in this important cultural activity for Mexicans and Mexican supporters,” the ambassador explained.

The embassy’s celebration for Dia de Muertos, known as the Day of the Dead in English, was held at the UN World Tourism Organization in Riyadh on Friday and welcomed ambassadors from other countries, locals and Mexicans living in Saudi Arabia.

Samer Al-Kharashi, director of the UN World Tourism Organization’s regional office in Riyadh, gave the opening address, saying that in 2003, UNESCO proclaimed the festival an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“Day of the Dead is an international celebration now, it is one recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003,” Toledo said.

“This means that it attracts the entire world — a lot of nationalities, and you can see here there are people here from Mexico, from Latin America, from Europe, from Saudi and the Middle East.”

During his remarks, the ambassador said that the Day of the Dead is one of Mexico’s most profound and ancient traditions because of its powerful significance in terms of history, culture, and tradition and the great interest it has captured throughout the world.

“Around the Day of the Dead, families visit the cemetery, arrange the graves, and gather to place altars and offerings for their late loved ones to welcome them back during their quick visit. In almost all Mexican houses, wherever we are, families set up an altar with traditional decorations, flowers, their favorite meals and drinks, and their pictures,” he explained.

During Friday’s event, an altar was featured dedicated to prominent Mexicans who have promoted Mexico internationally.

“Personalities such as Octavio Paz, winner of the Nobel Literature Prize; Alfonso García Robles, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize; and Frida Kahlo and Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, recognized ambassadors of Mexican cinema and art,” the ambassador explained.

“We honor their memory with this event that we dedicate to them today.”

During his speech, Gomez underlined: “Besides vindicating an ancient Mexican tradition today, this cultural activity confirms Saudi Arabia’s current moment as a friendly country to the world’s cultural expressions.”

Traditional foods and drinks were served during the celebration, including bread of the dead and hot chocolate, which are usually enjoyed on the days of Dia de Muertos from Nov. 1-2.

On the sidelines of the event an exhibit of photographs by Mauricio Silerio showcased black and white skeletal symbols associated with the festivities.


Thrift stores in Saudi Arabia: A rising trend with surprising costs

Updated 02 November 2024
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Thrift stores in Saudi Arabia: A rising trend with surprising costs

RIYADH: Thrift shopping, long associated with affordable and unique finds, has taken Saudi Arabia by storm.

But what is catching the attention of fashion-conscious Saudis is not just the idea of sustainable fashion, but also the rising price tags attached to these second-hand gems.

While thrift stores globally offer a budget-friendly alternative to fast fashion, in Saudi Arabia, this trend comes with a twist: Items, though pre-loved, can be surprisingly expensive.

As sustainable fashion becomes more mainstream, the appeal of thrift shopping has transcended its traditional boundaries. Saudis now seek out vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, even if it means paying a premium.

One of the key players in this evolving market is Darah, a textile recycling startup founded by Rawan Al-Deraibi.

Al-Deraibi explained how Darah differentiates itself from traditional recycling methods: “At Darah, we’re redefining textile recycling by transforming discarded clothes into new, exciting creations.

“Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on material recovery, we give textiles a second life as ‘flipped’ fashion items, unique home decor pieces and much more. Our approach emphasizes creativity and sustainability, turning waste into functional and stylish products that tell a story.”

While thrift stores globally offer a budget-friendly alternative to fast fashion, in Saudi Arabia, this trend comes with a twist: Items, though pre-loved, can be surprisingly expensive. (Source: @thriftanthrivee)

Winning a prestigious innovation award has propelled Darah to the forefront of sustainable fashion in Saudi Arabia, but for Al-Deraibi it is clear that this is only the beginning: “Our vision is to expand our presence in the fashion scene by deepening our collaborations with like-minded designers, sustainable brands and forward-thinking businesses. We’re excited to explore partnerships that push boundaries — whether through joint collections, upcycling workshops, or innovative fashion events that bring attention to the importance of circular fashion.”

For more information, follow Darah on Instagram: @darah.thrift.

On the other side of the spectrum is Thrift and Thrive, a small thrift store started by two friends, Norah and her partner, Alanoud Khaled, who share a passion for sustainable shopping. What makes their store unique is the personal touch they add to each item they sell.

“We’re two girls. We have different personalities and tastes, so, because of that, we had a variety of items — some vintage and some new,” said Norah.

Thrift and Thrive carefully curates its collection to maintain a balance between vintage treasures and modern trends, all while keeping sustainability at the heart of its business. “We listen to what our customers want and try to source what they want.”

Despite the growing trend of thrift shopping in Saudi Arabia, Norah was initially uncertain about how it would be received. “We decided to open a thrift shop knowing there’s almost no thrift site in Saudi: That’s what made us so excited to open one. We saw how people in Saudi felt open and comfortable about the thrifting concept.”

Thrift and Thrive’s popularity has continued to grow, fueled by the increasing interest in sustainable fashion and Norah’s commitment to expanding its impact. “With the rise of sustainability, we focus to grow Thrift and Thrive by inspiring people to embrace eco-friendly fashion. We want to reach more people who love this style and help the community thrive.”

Follow Thrift and Thrive on Instagram: @thriftanthrivee.

The public’s response to thrift shopping in Saudi Arabia reflects this growing trend, but not all experiences have been positive. While some shoppers are thrilled by the unique items they find, others have expressed concerns about the pricing.

Mohanned Saqar found that the prices he encountered in Saudi Arabia were much higher compared to his experiences abroad: “Thrifting is supposed to be cheap, but the prices here are very high, especially considering these are used items. Outside of Saudi Arabia, I’ve found great thrifted pieces at much lower prices. It just doesn’t make sense to pay so much for something that’s pre-owned.”

Nadia Yassin, another passionate thrift shopper, sees thrift shopping as both a creative and economic choice: “The idea that you find a unique piece with a story shared by the person who owned it before is fascinating. Then, matching it with a whole outfit adds to the experience.

“On the other hand, it helps reduce consumption by re-wearing items that are already made. The creative part in restyling the piece is what I find most exciting. Economically, I think it’s a more suitable option than buying new.

“Half of my wardrobe is thrifted, and when people ask about my outfit, I tell them I bought it for a certain amount and that it’s thrifted. A few people around me have been influenced and joined me, making it one of the most enjoyable experiences.”

For Sara Al-Ansari, thrifting is a chance to save money while finding one-of-a-kind items.

“Personally, thrift stores do really offer a unique experience,” she said. “Each piece of clothing carries a story, a history of the person who owned it before.

“When I thrift, I’m not just getting a low price, I’m connecting with those past lives and experiences. It’s like a tangible link to different times and places, allowing me to appreciate the individuality of each item. Plus, there’s something special about giving these clothes a new life, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.”

For those looking for more budget-friendly thrift options, Haraj remains a popular choice. Haraj markets sell everything you could ever think of, mostly used items ranging from furniture to clothing and electronics, often at prices significantly lower than in formal stores. Haraj Bin Qasim in Riyadh operates on a similar model, offering used goods at affordable prices, making it a haven for bargain hunters.

As more Saudis begin to appreciate the environmental and personal value of thrift shopping, the trend is expected to continue growing.

For those eager to explore this growing trend, @saudi.thrift is hosting an event in November 2024, where thrifting enthusiasts can gather and share in this sustainable fashion movement.

For now, thrift stores like Darah and Thrift and Thrive are not only thriving, but also helping to shape a new retail landscape — one where sustainability meets style, and where every item has a story waiting to be rediscovered.


Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan

Updated 02 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns flare-up of violence in Sudan

  • Continued escalation of fighting in Sudan has impacted women and children

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned on Saturday the recent flare-up of violence in the eastern side of Sudan’s Al Jazeera State, which caused deaths among civilians.

The foreign ministry, in a statement, expressed the Kingdom’s concern over the continued escalation of fighting in Sudan that has impacted women and children, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia “condemns the recent [violence] in the eastern part of Al-Jazeera State, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries among civilians, as this constitutes a violation of international law and the principle of protecting civilians.”

The Kingdom has also “urged the warring parties to ceasefire, end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected. The Kingdom reaffirms its position in supporting the stability and unity of Sudan.”

Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions including western Darfur.

The war has killed more than 24,000 people so far, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a group monitoring the conflict since it started.

Britain, which assumed the presidency on Friday of the Security Council for November, said the 15-member body would meet in Sudan on Nov. 12 to discuss “scaling up aid delivery and ensuring greater protection of civilians by all sides.”

“We will be shortly introducing a draft Security Council resolution ... to drive forward progress on this,” Britain’s UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward told a press conference.

She said the draft would focus on “developing a compliance mechanism for the warring parties’ commitments they made on the protection of civilians in Jeddah over a year ago in 2023 and ways to support mediation efforts to deliver a ceasefire, even if we start local ceasefires before moving to a national one.”

A resolution needs at least 9 votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China to be adopted.

The move comes as a three-month approval given by Sudanese authorities for the UN and aid groups to use the Adre border crossing with Chad to reach Darfur with humanitarian assistance is due to expire in mid-November.

With agencies


Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

Updated 24 min 27 sec ago
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Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

RIYADH: The Sports Boulevard Foundation has received best-in-class recognition from active travel accreditation ActiveScore — awarded Platinum Communities Certification for the Sports Boulevard Masterplan and Platinum Certification for the Global Sports Tower.

The Sports Boulevard project will help revolutionize urban planning in Riyadh. 

It features more than 4.4 million square meters of green and open spaces, along with up to 50 multi-disciplinary sports facilities and integrated infrastructure. This project is dedicated to enhancing the city’s quality of life for residents and visitors, with features such as pathways, cycling tracks, and horse-riding trails.

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world, is a key landmark of the project. It will feature more than 30 sports facilities, including the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, at 98 meters.
 


Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

Updated 02 November 2024
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Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

  • Evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” selling for SR79,000
  • Auction runs until Nov. 15, showcasing the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcon Club’s 2024 auction saw four prestigious birds change hands for a combined SR277,000 ($73,756) during its 13th night at the Malham headquarters north of Riyadh.

The evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” owned by falconers Younis and Abdulrahman Al-Jahni, selling for SR79,000. Close behind was another Shaheen fledgling, “Trah Farasan,” from owners Ali Suhail and Ahmad Al-Aqili, which fetched SR77,000.

A third Shaheen, “Trah Dhulm,” owned by falconers Nader, Saud, and Fahad Al-Otaibi, commanded SR71,000, while “Trah Al-Sawarima,” a fledgling from Jazan region, rounded out the night’s sales at SR50,000.

The auction, which runs until Nov. 15, showcases the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community. Regional teams across the Kingdom facilitate participation by providing accommodation and transportation for falcon owners, known as tawarih, to the auction venue.

Each sale is broadcast live on television and social media platforms, allowing enthusiasts nationwide to witness these historic transactions, featuring competitive bidding in a fast-paced environment.