Saudi Culture Minister, MBC GROUP Sign Agreement to Operate Cultural TV Channel

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
TT

Saudi Culture Minister, MBC GROUP Sign Agreement to Operate Cultural TV Channel

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. SPA

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement Wednesday with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim to launch and operate a television channel that celebrates Saudi cultural heritage to enhance the pioneering status of the Kingdom as the hub of culture in the region and meet the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The planned channel will start streaming in September and will be broadcast on the MBC satellite package and on Shahid.net.

It targets both the intellectual elite and the wider public and will be broadcasting interactive programs on the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage 24/7.

The channel also seeks to increase Saudi content and presence in the global innovation system with unique programs of literature, poetry, theater, cinema, fashion, and culinary arts, targeting local and international audiences.

In addition to the channel, the agreement also stipulates the launch of a digital media platform specialized in producing video content for online platforms, as well as publishing articles, podcasts, and documentaries to expand the scope of work of local content creators and connect them with a network of experts in the field.

The establishment of the channel coincides with the Kingdom witnessing a Saudi Vision 2030-driven cultural renaissance to meet the ambitions of a new generation eager to keep pace with accelerated technological revolutions.



Red Sea Fund Launches Second Round to Support Film Projects in Production Stage

File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
TT

Red Sea Fund Launches Second Round to Support Film Projects in Production Stage

File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA

The Red Sea Fund, affiliated with the Red Sea Film Foundation, announced the opening of applications to support film projects in the production stage within the second round of this year’s support program, which will continue until March 21, as part of its efforts to enhance the cinema industry and empower innovators in the region, SPA reported.

The round aims to support promising cinematic voices from the Kingdom and the Arab world, as well as filmmakers from Africa and Asia, through financial grants that help complete film projects and present their creative narratives globally, with a special focus on projects ready to enter production and begin filming.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Jami' Mosque in Tabuk Region

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
TT

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Jami' Mosque in Tabuk Region

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of Al-Jami' Mosque in Duba, Tabuk Region, as part of its mission to preserve the Kingdom's architectural heritage under Vision 2030.

As one of Duba’s oldest landmarks, the mosque is deeply intertwined with the city’s maritime history, traditionally serving as a central meeting point for sailors. Throughout its history, the mosque underwent several construction phases, including significant contributions by King Abdulaziz and King Fahd, before its selection for the current national development project, SPA reported.

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity, increasing its area to 972.23 square meters and its capacity to 779 worshippers. The architectural style is inspired by traditional Red Sea heritage, incorporating natural materials like stone, mud, and wood for intricate mashrabiyas.

Executed by specialized Saudi firms, the project balances traditional standards with sustainability to rehabilitate the site for worship while highlighting its cultural significance. By restoring such landmarks, the project ensures the preservation of the Kingdom’s diverse architectural and social memory for future generations.


Leading Portraiture Competition Celebrates Saudi Heritage Through Art

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
TT

Leading Portraiture Competition Celebrates Saudi Heritage Through Art

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA

The Dia Aziz Dia Award for Portrait, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Jeddah, is a leading platform for portraiture and the only competition of its kind in the Middle East. It fosters national identity through contemporary art, connecting veteran and emerging artists.

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives, including Saudi women, the Arabian horse, the Saudi Green Initiative, and King Abdulaziz.

These themes highlight art's role in reflecting social transformations and contributing to the cultural goals of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The current ninth edition, with a theme focused on King Salman, invited artists to depict the leadership and humanity of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. This edition attracted significant participation, with 787 submissions from 42 cities, including international entries.

Of these, 61 works were shortlisted for the final competition, with prizes totaling SAR170,000 awarded to three main winners and seven incentive recipients.