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
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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 Culture Ministry Hosts Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Culture Ministry Hosts Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Culture is set to host on Sunday the Yemeni Orchestra at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The event will feature Yemeni musicians performing a wide array of music and songs showcasing Yemen’s cultural heritage, including traditional genres from Aden, Sanaa, and Hadramout. Saudi musicians will participate, performing collaborative pieces that celebrate the shared musical heritage between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

As part of the festivities, the Saudi Music Commission, one of 11 sector specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, will host interactive exhibits allowing visitors to explore traditional Saudi music instruments and view archival audio-visual recordings from Saudi Arabia’s musical heritage. Additionally, the Saudi Trouq Meets the World initiative will feature musical performances blending traditional instruments from Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The ALIPH Foundation, in cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, will present a photo exhibition documenting their work in preserving Yemen’s cultural and historical heritage sites, in collaboration with various Yemeni institutions and international organizations.

The upcoming event reflects the Ministry’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration. It is also a testament to the strong ties between the Kingdom and Yemen, while supporting cultural preservation and furthering the fraternal ties between the two nations.