DAMMAM: The 10th session of a UNESCO committee, held in Namibia, has agreed to put the Saudi Ardah dance on the list of World Intangible Heritage.
Ardah is a type of folkloric dance. The dance is performed with two rows of men opposite each other, each of whom may or may not be wielding swords or canes, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry.
Originally, the ardah was performed only by males of the Shammar tribe of the central Najd region before going to war, but nowadays it is performed at celebrations, weddings, and national and cultural events by all tribes, such as the Janadriyah festival.
Adela bint Abdullah, chairwoman of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS), said: “This success was a result of a complementary work between the governmental bodies represented by the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Education through permanent representation at UNESCO and civil society organizations as represented by the SHPS.”
She added that the SHPS has worked with communities and individuals in the documentation and registration for this element with other elements of intangible heritage to protect this important aspect of heritage from extinction, indicating that the SHPS objective is centered on community and integrative work, dissemination of pride in identity, and preservation of the Saudi heritage.
“This experience is part of the cooperation between the SHPS and the Ministry of Culture and Information to prepare the files for registration in the World Intangible Heritage List, through the collection of material, its documentation and registration of its practitioners within its role as a civil society organization,” she said.
Ardah on UNESCO World Heritage list
Ardah on UNESCO World Heritage list
Festival brings global cultures to life in Alkhobar, Jeddah
- ‘Your Passport to the World’ celebrates traditions from Sudan, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh
Riyadh: A cultural festival hosted by Saudi Arabia will bring the rich traditions of Sudan, India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh to Alkhobar and Jeddah.
Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, the “Your Passport to the World” event will celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of expatriate communities in the Kingdom.
The month-long festival will offer an immersive experience that reconnects participants with their roots, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Through a series of performances, culinary showcases, traditional crafts, and hands-on workshops, the event will provide a unique opportunity to explore and celebrate global traditions.
The festival will debut in Alkhobar, with each community featured for four days throughout April, according to the SPA.
The Sudanese pavilion will kick off the event from Wednesday to Saturday, followed by India from April 16-19, the Philippines from April 23-26, and Bangladesh from April 30 to May 3. Afterward, the festival will move to Jeddah.
Each cultural showcase will offer a holistic experience, incorporating folkloric patterns, textiles, natural elements, and architectural heritage unique to each nation, the SPA reported.
Specialized zones will highlight heritage clothing, dance performances, authentic cuisine, crafts, open-air markets, performance theaters, and interactive installations.
The initiative aims to celebrate cultural diversity, foster connections, provide an engaging family experience, and highlight cultural heritage through art and cuisine.
With its festive atmosphere and vibrant showcases, the event is expected to attract large crowds, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to enhance entertainment and improve quality of life for residents.
Riyadh to honor women’s excellence award winners
- Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University to celebrate contributions in science, arts, economic, humanities
RIYADH: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh will host a ceremony on Wednesday to honor the winners of the seventh Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, held under the patronage of King Salman, will be hosted at the university’s Conference and Convention Center and will be attended by Princess Fahda bint Falah Al-Hathleen, the spouse of the king.
This year’s award will recognize outstanding contributions in six categories: Natural sciences, health sciences, social initiatives, artistic works, economic projects and humanities.
The categories, covering both theoretical and practical fields, were opened for nominations last October, according to the SPA.
This year’s award marks a milestone, receiving a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom, highlighting the increasing recognition and impact of the initiative.
Last year, the award introduced refined evaluation and selection processes, adopting more precise and objective criteria to ensure fairness and transparency.
The award framework was also updated to reflect national priorities and global developments, further enhancing credibility and reach.
The Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence aims to highlight the accomplishments of Saudi women and recognize distinguished and creative people.
It also seeks to support outstanding women-led efforts and inspire future generations of women to contribute to comprehensive national development.
New program to boost tech skills of Saudi leaders
- The curriculum covers key areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation
RIYADH: Tuwaiq Academy has launched the Future Tech Leaders program, a six-month course designed to enhance the technical skills of professionals in leadership roles, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sponsored by the National Technology Development Program and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the program is conducted in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley.
It uses a hands-on learning approach to equip CEOs and IT managers with skills to keep pace with emerging technologies, according to the SPA.
The curriculum covers key areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation — fields that are increasingly in demand.
Tuwaiq Academy seeks to develop national leadership in modern technologies through professional programs and bootcamps.
It partners with global leaders such as Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Stanford University to train skilled professionals across various sectors.
The academy also offers additional programs for various age groups, available at tuwaiq.edu.sa.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the rapid evolution of modern technologies and the needs of the labor market.
RCRC warns public against intermediaries offering assistance in applying for land use in Riyadh
- Any claims or messages published regarding the existence of entities that allow or facilitate applications are baseless, RCRC warns
- The Commission said it is developing an electronic platform dedicated to receiving land use applications directly from citizens
RIYADH: Beware of unauthorized individuals or groups offering assistance in applying for land use in the national capital, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) advised the public on Sunday.
The Commission issued the warning as it announced that it has begun implementing the royal directive issued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on taking practical measures to achieve balance in the real estate sector in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The RCRC noted that it is currently working on developing an electronic platform dedicated to receiving land use applications directly from citizens without the need for any intermediaries or external parties.
Any claims or messages published regarding the existence of entities that allow or facilitate applications are baseless, the RCRC said.
The Commission also called on everyone to obtain information from official sources only, and to beware of any fraudulent attempts claiming to grant land outside the regulatory framework.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier directed a series of measures aimed at achieving stability in the sector.
Among these measures was the lifting of restrictions on land transactions and development in northern Riyadh, as recommended in a study by the RCRC and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.
‘At the Edge’: Art Week Riyadh signals bold new chapter in Saudi cultural renaissance, say organizers
- Event organized by Visual Arts Commission and hosted at JAX District from April 6 to 13
RIYADH: Art Week Riyadh is making waves in the Saudi capital this week, with curators and creatives hailing the event as a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s fast-evolving cultural landscape, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the Visual Arts Commission and hosted at the JAX District from April 6 to 13, the event is bringing together local and international artists, curators, and institutions in a celebration of contemporary creativity and cross-cultural dialogue.
The initiative reflects the growing momentum of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation, part of the broader Vision 2030 reform agenda that is reshaping the Kingdom’s social and artistic fabric, according to organizers.
Vittoria Matarrese, Director and Art Curator of Art Week Riyadh, described the event as a significant turning point.
“We chose the title ‘At the Edge’ because it reflects the nature of the phase Riyadh is undergoing,” Matarrese said. “It is a city positioned between the desert and urbanization, between heritage and renewal. This balance is evident in the diversity of participation and the dialogues presented by the exhibition.”
She added that Riyadh is increasingly defining itself as a space where modernity and tradition intersect, enabling a unique creative evolution.
Shumon Basar, curator of the Public Cultural Program at Art Week Riyadh, underscored the importance of the conversations taking place as part of the programme, titled “How to Create an Art World: Lessons in Value.”
He explained: “Our goal is not only to share experiences, but also to raise essential questions about the types of value that art creates in the contemporary world—whether economic, symbolic, or social—and how art can serve as a tool to understand cultural transformations, rather than merely reflect them.”
Art Week Riyadh serves as a key cultural platform that embraces diversity and encourages artistic experimentation, offering a space for critical reflection on the evolving role of art in society, SPA added.
