Latest news with #SaudiMinistryOfCulture
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Cultural Week concludes at Osaka Expo
TOKYO: The Saudi Ministry of Culture hosted the Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka from July 12 to 15 at the Osaka Expo's Gallery EAST to celebrate Saudi culture and the cultural intersections between Japan and Saudi Arabia. The event was held in honor of the Kingdom's designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts and highlighted artistic exchange between the two countries. It offered a diverse program of exhibitions, performances and interactive showcases that invited visitors to explore the Kingdom's cultural heritage and learn about the traditions shared by both nations. It was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture with the participation of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, the Saudi Artisanal Company, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy, and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives. Visitors were welcomed into the Saudi Heritage Majlis, where they experienced traditional Saudi hospitality and viewed side-by-side presentations of cultural garments, including a Saudi bisht and a Japanese kimono. Live performances by a Saudi oud musician and a Japanese shamisen musician symbolized the harmony between the two cultures. The program also featured collaborative demonstrations with Saudi and Japanese artisans presenting crafts together, including Al-Sadu weaving and Japanese tapestry, Khous making and bamboo crafting, and pottery from both traditions. Visitors participated in hands-on workshops led by craftspeople and students, highlighting the event's emphasis on cultural exchange and shared learning. A photographic exhibition curated by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives chronicled the history of Saudi Japanese relations over the past seven decades.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards
The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched the fifth edition of the National Cultural Awards, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to recognizing and honoring outstanding achievements in the Kingdom's cultural sector. Nominations for cultural sector awards will soon open to the public and the cultural community. Submissions will be accepted via the dedicated online platform. This will be followed by evaluation and judging processes later begins, culminating in the announcement of winners at the final ceremony. According to the ministry, this annual initiative celebrates creative excellence and contributions across a wide range of cultural disciplines. Through a growing portfolio of awards, the program highlights both individual and institutional efforts that have helped shape and elevate the national cultural landscape. For the 2025 edition, two new award categories have been introduced: the Handicrafts Award and the Cultural Media Award. The Handicrafts Award coincides with the ministry's designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, spotlighting impactful contributions to traditional crafts, whether in production techniques or cultural knowledge. This category includes one international award that honors initiatives that improve livelihoods and create job opportunities, according to SPA. The Cultural Media Award recognizes significant work by individuals or organizations in developing cultural discourse and showcasing the cultural sector through various media formats, including print, audio, and digital platforms. It also considers contributions such as literary reviews, cultural reporting, and consistent engagement with cultural events and movements. These additions join a distinguished set of existing awards: five major prizes reviewed by specialized committees, alongside 11 others across a total of 16 cultural sub-sectors. Together, they reflect the ministry's commitment to fostering creative talent and honoring cultural heritage. The National Cultural Awards reflect the ministry's commitment to supporting cultural production and honoring those enriching the Kingdom's artistic and creative heritage.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Culture Ministry Launches Research Grant to Strengthen Saudi-Chinese Cultural Ties
The Saudi Ministry of Culture launched the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Relations Research Grant as part of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 initiative. The grant aims to encourage researchers and academics to produce scholarly work that explores the cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and China, while advancing knowledge-based cooperation and supporting future collaboration. The grant covers five research areas: History and Cultural Heritage – Focuses on exploring historical and cultural connections between the two civilizations, including the history of cultural exchange and comparisons of intangible heritage such as traditional crafts, architecture, and social customs. Performing and Visual Arts – Examines areas of cooperation in performing arts, theater, music, contemporary visual arts, and cinema, including comparative analysis of artistic expressions and mutual influences between Saudi and Chinese art forms. Literature and Translation – Highlights the translation movement between Arabic and Chinese, linguistic and cultural differences, and shared literary themes, while also assessing the presence of Arabic in Chinese educational institutions and Chinese language programs in Saudi Arabia. Cultural Economy and Creative Industries – Analyzes opportunities for joint cultural investments in areas such as exhibitions, design, and film production, as well as partnerships between cultural institutions and investment prospects in the creative economy. Role of Digital Platforms in Contemporary Cultural Exchange – Explores cultural interaction through digital and social-media platforms, the impact of digitalization on cultural sectors, and how technology facilitates cultural exchange and transformation in the digital era. Through this grant, the ministry seeks to generate impactful research, enrich academic content on Saudi-Chinese cultural relations, promote scholarly and cultural dialogue, and reinforce cultural ties through knowledge-sharing. The initiative is aligned with the goals of Saudi Arabia's National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030 to strengthen international cultural exchange. The ministry invited eligible researchers to apply via the official portal no later than July 15, 2025.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Culture Ministry Releases 2025 Calendar of Cultural Ecosystem Events
The Saudi Ministry of Culture has released the 2025 calendar of events for the national cultural ecosystem, featuring a diverse lineup of activities, festivals, and programs organized across the Kingdom. The calendar targets all segments of society and reflects the ministry's commitment to facilitating access to cultural content and ensuring public engagement and early preparation for upcoming events.
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change
RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: 'The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.' The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture's Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement. The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030. A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums. During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up. 'The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,' she said. She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector: 'Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.' Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called 'traditional' museums, she offered a more nuanced view. 'There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.' She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector. 'We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.' As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making: 'This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.' Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training. 'The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language, 'We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.' Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications. 'This is a diploma that is about to become a master's degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.' In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions. Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private. It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.
