Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa to Asharq Al-Awsat: AlUla Has Become a ‘Global Cultural Destination’

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research
TT

Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa to Asharq Al-Awsat: AlUla Has Become a ‘Global Cultural Destination’

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research

Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa of Bahrain, founder of the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research and Chair of its Board of Trustees, affirmed that AlUla region in northwestern Saudi Arabia has become a “global cultural destination.”

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Shaikha Mai confirmed that “AlUla has become one of the most important destinations for cultural tourism, attracting visitors from around the world, thanks to its inclusion of registered sites on the World Heritage List and its representation as an open museum of human civilizations spanning thousands of years.”

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) had signed a cooperation agreement with Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research.

The agreement looks to build cooperation in the fields of culture and heritage, as part of the efforts of the RCU to achieve the “AlUla Vision” and activate partnerships towards making AlUla a vibrant destination for heritage, culture, and the arts.

Moreover, the agreement will facilitate the establishment of a strategic partnership that supports the exchange of expertise, research, and capacity building in the fields of culture, heritage, and creativity.

It aims to preserve cultural and heritage assets, enhance historical sites, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, support studies and research, promote culture, science, intellectual pursuits, music, and literature, build capabilities, and host writers, thinkers, and artists.

“We, at the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in Bahrain, are delighted to have an agreement for cultural cooperation and exchange of expertise with the RCU,” Shaikha Mai told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Shaikha Mai added that the Center, which is a non-profit private institution that celebrated its 21st anniversary in January, extends cooperation with official institutions at the core of its mission.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.