Latest news with #SaudiMinistryofCulture
Arab News
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Ministry of culture highlights 2024 achievements in historic Jeddah
JEDDAH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has unveiled a series of landmark achievements in the revitalization of Historic Jeddah, illustrating continued progress under the directive of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Launched in 2021, the project plays a key role in the national strategy to preserve the Kingdom's heritage and enhance its cultural landscape, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. In 2024, the ministry successfully restored 27 historic buildings, rehabilitated an additional 10 structures, and supported the stabilization of 39 others, fortifying the district's unique architectural identity. As part of broader adaptive reuse efforts, the first three heritage hotels opened their doors, delivering luxury experiences steeped in authenticity. This is the beginning of an initiative to transform 34 heritage buildings into boutique accommodations that merge cultural heritage with modern hospitality. Important archaeological findings further enriched Jeddah's historical narrative. Excavations at the Othman bin Affan Mosque revealed Ceylonese wooden fragments on mihrab pillars dating back to the 1st century AH (7th century CE). Also, the discovery of a 13th-century pottery shard reaffirmed Jeddah's long-standing status as a pivotal maritime and commercial hub linking the Islamic world to the Far East. In a milestone of urban regeneration, the ministry completed Phase I of the Al-Arbaeen Lagoon waterfront project, which included the removal of obstructive infrastructure to reconnect the sea with the historic Al-Bunt Port. In parallel, 90,000 sq. meters of green space were developed, significantly enhancing the environmental and visual quality of the district. To enhance operational readiness, 110 pieces of equipment were used to service a six-sq. kilometer area. Historic Jeddah is also going through a surge in cultural engagement. The Red Sea International Film Festival was hosted at Culture Square for the first time, attracting local and international audiences. Simultaneously, the ministry inaugurated the teamLab Borderless Jeddah museum, spanning 10,000 sq. meters, and launched a Performing Arts and Cinema Centre, offering immersive experiences that bridge traditional heritage with contemporary expression. A significant step in skills development was marked by the opening of the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts, which promotes local craftsmanship and empowers Saudi youth to participate in cultural restoration. To integrate leisure with heritage, the ministry introduced Irth, a concept store and cafe that blends cultural offerings with a modern hospitality experience. In support of long-term sustainability, the ministry signed six strategic agreements aimed at bolstering investment and enhancing cultural infrastructure. A dedicated digital tourism platform was also launched to provide comprehensive access to landmarks, events, and visitor services in the district. In 2024, more than 140 educational trips were organized, engaging 2,100 students in immersive cultural experiences. To enrich visitor journeys, 500,000 copies of the official visitor map were distributed. These efforts contributed to a record-breaking 5.7 million visitors to Historic Jeddah over the year, including 2.5 million during Ramadan. As part of the Historic Jeddah Master Plan, the Ministry of Culture is committed to restoration, infrastructure enhancement, and improving livability. These endeavors aim to position the district as a global destination for cultural tourism and creative industries, reflecting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and celebrating the Kingdom's enduring cultural legacy.
News18
13-06-2025
- News18
Saudi Arabia's First Luxury Train ‘Dream of the Desert' To Launch In 2026, Here's What To Expect
Last Updated: Taking inspiration from the historic Hejaz Railway that once connected Damascus to Medina, the Dream of the Desert will travel from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the north. Saudi Arabia is all set to welcome luxury travellers with its first-ever high-end train service – Dream of the Desert – scheduled to launch in 2026. Launch Timeline The Dream of the Desert is expected to begin operations by the third quarter of 2026. Details on ticket prices and travel packages are set to be announced in the coming months, as per Onmanorama. Dream of the Desert: All You Need To Know The Dream of the Desert will feature 14 beautifully designed carriages, housing 34 private suites. Inspired by the shifting sands of the desert, the interiors will be filled with warm earthy tones, elegant furnishings, and detailed craftsmanship. Each suite will include a private bathroom, and some will even have hot bathtubs. Food lovers will be spoiled for choice with a menu that spans traditional Arabian delicacies to global gourmet dishes, all made with fresh ingredients by renowned international chefs. Guests can unwind in luxurious lounges, enjoy a good book, or gaze at the stars through lounges with glass ceilings. The train will also offer cigar lounges and intimate cinema rooms, making the entire journey feel like a five-star retreat. To honour local traditions, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is working closely with the Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and Italy's Arsenale Group to weave in music, art, and folklore throughout the journey. Inspired by the legendary Hejaz Railway—which once connected Damascus to Medina—the Dream of the Desert brings a modern twist to an iconic route. Starting from Riyadh, the train will travel all the way to Al Qurayyat in the north, with stops at historic spots like Hail and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. First Published: June 13, 2025, 08:10 IST
CairoScene
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Uncovering Saudi's First Immersive Museum: teamLab Borderless Jeddah
Nestled in a decade-old UNESCO World Heritage site, teamLab Borderless offers a world of seamless interactive digital art. Aug 13, 2024 teamLab Borderless Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's first avant-garde immersive museum, emerges at the heart of the Historic Jeddah World Heritage Site. Building on Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to enhance economic, social, and cultural diversification, this collaborative initiative between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Japanese interdisciplinary art collective teamLab has given rise to the premier of teamLab Borderless Jeddah. This 10,000-square-metre museum debuted in July 2024, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the district's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding a celebratory dimension to the overall experience. Centred around escapism, the immersive museum typology is a burgeoning trend in the attractions industry blurring the lines between reality and illusion taking art to a whole new realm beyond the physical world. Progressive high-tech techniques, like virtual reality (AR), holography, digital projectors and many others are used to repackage exhibit different art types. In a world where reality and dreams collide, teamLab Borderless Jeddah brings dreamland inside a time capsule. Confined in the heart of Historic Jeddah, the museum is strategically located on the shores of Al-Arbaeen Lagoon, offering a dichotomously rich experience. It provides visitors with the sensation of a world without borders amidst a site marked by boundaries, complemented by scenic views of a rich, historically sacred context. Inside Borderless Jeddah, over 80 curated immersive dreamy artworks that transcend physical boundaries, fostering interaction and creating a seamless, unbounded environment. Amidst the surreal truths of our daily lives, the exhibit offers a refuge - a gateway into an intricately woven digital tapestry of seven curated dreamlands: Borderless World , Light Sculpture , Athletics Forest , Future Park , Forest of Lamps , EN TEA HOUSE , and Sketch Factory . Borderless World features unbounded, human-like artworks. Free to move from space to space, like our human body in motion, each art piece navigates the rooms, interacting and impacting one another, creating a seamless continuum of spaces without boundaries to be explored by visitors. 'The Borderless World transforms according to our presence, and as we immerse and meld ourselves into this unified world, we explore a continuity among people, as well as a new understanding of the continuity between ourselves and the world,' teamLab tells SceneNowSaudi Light Sculpture exhibits a series of massive sculptures, with the light appearing to flow out sweeping towards people, expanding, and drawing the audience into it. The Athletic Forest reimagines athleticism through immersive, three-dimensional experiences. One attraction is the Rapidly Rotating Bouncing Sphere , where visitors leap onto rotating spheres of the same colour, forming dynamic caterpillar-like patterns. Another highlight is the Multi Jumping Universe , where each jump distorts the exhibit surface, drawing in stardust and ultimately forming a captivating black hole. 'We started this project, Athletics Forest, with the hopes to enhance three-dimensional and higher-dimensional thinking,' Toshiyuki Inoko, founder of teamLab tells SceneNowSaudi. 'Spatial awareness is said to be correlated with innovation and creativity. I grew up in a rural area and played in the mountains, but in today's society and schools, the body is stationary. I think cities are surrounded too much by flat information such as books, TV, and smartphone screens. That is why we created a three-dimensional space that excessively demands the physical body. It is a space where people can perceive art with their physical bodies.' Travelling into Future Park is an educational, collaborative amusement park where the experience comes alive through collective creativity. Visitors actively participate in the creation process, with the park's art continuously evolving as long as the collaboration continues. This unique concept ensures that the joy of creation is central to the park's ever-changing landscape. En Tea House is not your typical tea garden; it's a sanctuary surrounded by ever-blooming flowers. Here, digital tables display infinite worlds of floral blooms that continue to flourish as long as your teacup is filled, allowing you to savour your tea in a vibrantly expanding floral universe.
Saudi Gazette
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia to showcase cultural renaissance at 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Culture will host an extensive program of cultural events at the historic Abbazia building in Venice, Italy, from May 10 to November 23, 2025, as part of the Kingdom's official participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale. Through a curated series of exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops, the initiative will highlight Saudi Arabia's contemporary creative renaissance and cultural diversity, contributing to global conversations on heritage preservation and artistic innovation. The program will spotlight architecture and design, heritage, visual arts, fashion, and culinary arts. A special exhibition titled Rooted Transience, showcasing the winning design of the AlMusalla Prize 2025 — an international design competition organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation — will be held on the ground floor of the venue. The upper floor will house a conference hall for cultural programming, as well as a retail space offering Saudi artisanal products and traditional culinary experiences including Saudi coffee and dates. The Ministry emphasized that this initiative forms part of its broader efforts to elevate the Kingdom's cultural presence on international platforms and to introduce global audiences to Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and artistic vitality.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Ministry of Culture Launches New App for Visitors to Historic Jeddah
In a step that underscores its commitment to digital transformation, the Saudi Ministry of Culture launched a dedicated application for the Jeddah Historic District by providing innovative interactive services that enrich visitors' experience and introduce them to the area's cultural heritage, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday. The launch comes as part of the Historic Jeddah Revitalization Project, sponsored by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The project aims to transform the area into an integrated urban center that reflects its historical spirit, establishing it as a global cultural and tourist destination. The application allows users to plan their routes within the Jeddah Historic District and receive instant notifications of ongoing activities, in addition to documented historical content that deepens their understanding of the landmarks they visit. This initiative is part of the ministry's efforts to implement strategic projects that contribute to preserving the district's urban heritage and boost its presence in the local and international cultural scene.
