Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures

Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
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The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances. (SPA)
Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
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The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances. (SPA)
Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
3 / 4
The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances. (SPA)
Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
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The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances. (SPA)
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Updated 22 December 2024
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Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures

Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures

RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances distinguished by intellectual depth and artistic excellence.

Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University until Dec. 26.

A seminar on contemporary theater in the Arab world explored the intersection of creativity and sustainability, bringing together an elite group of theater thinkers and creators.

One of the festival’s participants, Kamal Al-Alawi from Tunisia, reviewed the evolution of theater, tracing its journey from the Greek era through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the time of Emile Zola, which marked a qualitative shift and revolution in impressionism.

Among the intellectuals and theater experts, Lina Abiad from Lebanon discussed ways to improve theatrical production and modernize it using contemporary methodologies.

The commission’s CEO, Sultan Al-Bazie, described the festival as a cornerstone for advancing theatrical movement in the Kingdom and increasing public awareness of the performing arts.

This year’s event features 20 performances, selected by a committee of experts, reflecting the diversity of theatrical arts in the Kingdom and its intellectual and developmental programs.

The festival underscores the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent, aiming for a strong presence on regional and international stages. It will conclude with a presentation of awards to distinguished performers.


Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference in Cairo

Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference in Cairo
Updated 23 February 2025
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Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference in Cairo

Shoura Council speaker leads Saudi delegation at Arab Parliament conference in Cairo
  • The conference focused on strengthening Arab parliamentary unity, with a key agenda item dedicated to supporting the Palestinian people

CAIRO: The Speaker of the Shoura Council, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, led Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the Seventh Conference of the Arab Parliament and the Presidents of Arab Councils and Parliaments, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Cairo on Saturday.

The conference focused on strengthening Arab parliamentary unity, with a key agenda item dedicated to supporting the Palestinian people and rejecting any proposals for their forced displacement.

As part of the discussions, participants worked on formulating a unified Arab parliamentary stance to advocate for Palestinian rights.

A significant outcome of the conference was the planned issuance of a unified Arab parliamentary action plan, which would outline concrete steps that Arab parliamentarians can take in support of the Palestinian cause.

Ahead of its official approval, the Presidents of Arab Councils and Parliaments held a closed consultative session to finalize the main aspects of the plan, which will later be submitted to the Arab Summit for potential adoption.

The Kingdom’s delegation to the conference included the Secretary-General of the Shoura Council, Mohammed bin Dakhil Al-Mutairi, along with council members Saad bin Salib Al-Otaibi, Tariq bin Saeed Al-Shammari, Hanan bint Abdullah Al-Sammari, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Aifan, and Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Hazani, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings

King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings
Updated 22 February 2025
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King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings

King Salman orders the naming of 15 Riyadh squares after Saudi imams and kings
  • The initiative followed a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and coincides with Saudi Arabia’s celebration of Founding Day

RIYADH: King Salman on Saturday issued a directive to name 15 squares in Riyadh after notable imams and kings of the Saudi State, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative followed a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and coincides with Saudi Arabia’s celebration of Founding Day on Feb. 22, SPA added.

The move reflects the leadership’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the rulers who, for more than three centuries, have played a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s foundation, unification, and development.

These leaders safeguarded Saudi Arabia’s resources, ensured its security, and contributed to the prosperity of its people.

The newly named squares, located along Riyadh’s main roads, will commemorate historical figures from the Saudi State, including Imam Muhammad bin Saud, Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, Imam Abdullah bin Saud, Imam Turki bin Abdullah, Imam Faisal bin Turki, Imam Abdullah bin Faisal, and Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal.

The list also includes modern Saudi rulers King Abdulaziz, King Saud, King Faisal, King Khalid, King Fahd, King Abdullah, and King Salman.


Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day

Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day
Updated 22 February 2025
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Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day

Saudi embassy in Syria celebrates Founding Day
  • Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha held high-level meetings with senior executives from major global companies at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in the Syrian Arab Republic held a reception on the occasion of the Kingdom’s Founding Day at its headquarters in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The celebration was attended by the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Yasser Al-Jundi, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Syria, and a group of businessmen and intellectuals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha held high-level meetings with senior executives from major global companies at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami to bolster partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence, investment and the space sector.

 


Saudi Arabia arrests 21,222 illegals in one week

Saudi Arabia arrests 21,222 illegals in one week
Updated 22 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia arrests 21,222 illegals in one week

Saudi Arabia arrests 21,222 illegals in one week
  • The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years and a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000)

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 21,222 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 13,202 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,911 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,109 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,376 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 58 percent were Ethiopian, 40 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 86 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years and a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000).

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.

 


Saudi ministry hosts Qur’an finals in Indonesia

Saudi ministry hosts Qur’an finals in Indonesia
Updated 22 February 2025
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Saudi ministry hosts Qur’an finals in Indonesia

Saudi ministry hosts Qur’an finals in Indonesia
  • The top contestants advanced to the second qualifying round, held from Feb. 10-15, with 40 participants from each category competing for a spot in the finals

JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through the religious attache at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Indonesia, launched the final qualifiers for the national Holy Qur’an Memorization and Sunnah Competition in Kendari on Sunday.

The competition reached its final stage after preliminary qualifiers, involving 408 contestants from 169 Islamic institutions across 60 cities and provinces in 19 regions of eastern Indonesia, with initial rounds held from Feb. 1-7, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The top contestants advanced to the second qualifying round, held from Feb. 10-15, with 40 participants from each category competing for a spot in the finals.

The competition reflects the ministry’s commitment to promoting the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, while enhancing the global prominence of Qur’an competitions.