Culture Ministry Showcases Saudi Distinctive Civilization, Heritage

SPA
SPA
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Culture Ministry Showcases Saudi Distinctive Civilization, Heritage

SPA
SPA

In a collaborative effort with the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), the Saudi Press Agency presented a cultural bulletin, titled "Saudi Arabia's Unique Civilization and Heritage Promoted by Culture Ministry," to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the significant role played by the Culture Ministry in preserving and promoting the nation's distinctive civilization.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a rich, authentic, culture and civilization that has shaped the morals and customs of its people. The country's great heritage, ancient traditions, cultural treasures and spectacularly diverse landscape -- from golden deserts to seas rich in pearls, green fields and exotic canyons -- have informed and shaped its culture, art, literature, thought and sciences, and have also been its citizens' reason to be proud," SPA reported.

In June 2018, a Royal Decree established the Ministry of Culture as an independent entity, led by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud. The ministry's vision focuses on preserving the Kingdom's historical heritage and leveraging it to foster a thriving culture that contributes to lifestyle, economic growth, and elevates Saudi Arabia's international standing.

According to SPA, the Ministry aims to contribute around 3% to the GDP by 2030 by harnessing cultural potentials. This includes promoting culture among citizens as an integral part of their daily lives, conducting educational programs and training workshops, establishing institutes, implementing empowering initiatives, and organizing diverse cultural activities and festivals that preserve the country's authentic identity.



Quality of Life Program Continues to Empower Saudi Cultural Sector

The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Quality of Life Program Continues to Empower Saudi Cultural Sector

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

The Quality of Life Program continues to support the transformation of Saudi Arabia's cultural sector, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for arts and culture, as outlined in Vision 2030. This is evident in the reopening of the King Fahd Cultural Center, the historic Qishlah Palace in Hail, and the launch of the teamLab Jeddah museum, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program also bolstered the production of Saudi films and series like "Threads of the Ma'azib," "Al Sharrar," and "Complex 75," while showcasing international films like "Kandahar" and "Dunki," filmed in the Kingdom.
The initiative to develop public libraries resulted in two new libraries in Dammam and Ahad Rufaidah, with plans for 153 cultural centers by 2030. The Saudi Artisanal Company was also established to support the handicraft sector and preserve Saudi heritage, SPA said.
In 2023, the program's cultural initiatives achieved remarkable success. The Cultural Development Fund, with 180 million riyals in funding, was established for over 45 projects. The Aruq Bani Ma'arid was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The King Abdulaziz Historical Palace and Jerash archaeological site in the south of the Kingdom were restored, and the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art in Diriyah opened, hosting the Biennale exhibition with over 16,232 visitors.
The "Nuqush Al Uqair" event in Al-Ahsa attracted over 60,000 visitors and highlighted the region's traditional crafts. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts trained over 1,453 individuals and participated in international cultural events, SPA reported.
The Professional Music Association and the Professional Museums Association were established to foster diversity. The initiative to enhance Saudi contributions to culture and the arts presented over 100 diverse performances, and the Culinary Arts Authority hosted three cultural festivals across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar, the news agency added.