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Saudi Culture Ministry Gears Up for DAF Center

The Saudi Culture Ministry is gearing up to open the Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) Center
The Saudi Culture Ministry is gearing up to open the Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) Center
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Saudi Culture Ministry Gears Up for DAF Center

The Saudi Culture Ministry is gearing up to open the Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) Center
The Saudi Culture Ministry is gearing up to open the Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) Center

In collaboration with the Diriyah Company, the Saudi Culture Ministry is gearing up to open the Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) Center, the first center specializing in new media arts in the Arab region.

DAF offers an educational guided program targeting emerging artists from around the world and provides advanced tools that allow them to create their digital artworks under specialized supervision.

The Center will lead the new horizons of creative practices based on the intersection of art and sciences and technology, through education, empowerment and creating vast spaces for innovative artists from around the world.

The Center promises varied programs including a long educational initiative curated for emerging artists specialized in the new media arts. The one-year program is designed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy — Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France, and provides applicants with state-of-the-art professional equipment, a dedicated production budget, and a diverse array of multidisciplinary learning experiences including of theoretical, conceptual and technical education opportunities, as well as individual guidance by international digital artists.

The program attracts emerging innovators from around the world with a focus on candidates from the Middle East and North Africa, offering them an exceptional opportunity to work alongside the world’s most prominent artists in the field of new media and digital arts, and providing them with full support for one year to produce their artwork.

Applicants are required to be 35 years or younger, at the graduate or postgraduate completion stage, with a background in developing and creating digital and new media arts.

Located in the heart of Diriyah, the DAF Center reflects the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to preserving Saudi heritage and providing opportunities for artistic expression that contributes to enriching the prospering artistic landscape in the Kingdom, and enhancing the city’s position as an international cultural destination and a hub for new medias.

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Alwan: Riyadh Int’l Book Fair is a Cultural Icon, Top Arab Book Seller

Over ten days, the book fair events will adorn the Saudi capital (Literature Commission)
Over ten days, the book fair events will adorn the Saudi capital (Literature Commission)
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Alwan: Riyadh Int’l Book Fair is a Cultural Icon, Top Arab Book Seller

Over ten days, the book fair events will adorn the Saudi capital (Literature Commission)
Over ten days, the book fair events will adorn the Saudi capital (Literature Commission)

The Riyadh International Book Fair kicked off this year with over 2,000 local, Arab, and international publishers, offering a rich cultural program.

The event continues to be a major platform for top thinkers, authors, and publishers, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and leadership in the publishing world.

Dr. Mohammed Hassan Alwan, CEO of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, said the fair has been a symbol of Saudi Arabia's cultural leadership for nearly five decades.

He noted that it consistently achieves the highest book sales among Arab fairs and draws large crowds from inside and outside the Kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Alwan emphasized that the Riyadh fair, along with other book events in the Kingdom, supports the Ministry of Culture’s goal to grow the cultural sector’s contribution to 3% of the GDP by 2030.

Five Decades of Cultural Leadership in Saudi Arabia

Alwan highlighted that Saudi Arabia has been a cradle of civilizations and a center for scientific, literary, and artistic revival, attracting scholars and students from around the globe.

“Today, Saudi Arabia is rich in cultural elements, historical treasures, and a legacy that strengthens its status as a leading hub of Arab and international culture. This is supported by various initiatives and major cultural and artistic events,” affirmed Alwan.

He also acknowledged the continuous support from Saudi leadership for the cultural sector, noting the close attention from top authorities and the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing development efforts.

Alwan stressed that this commitment underscores the Kingdom’s belief in the vital role of culture in national progress, enhancing quality of life, and supporting economic and social development.

The CEO said that the Ministry of Culture, led by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, is essential in shaping Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape.

The ministry is focused on building a comprehensive cultural system to achieve several goals: promoting culture as a lifestyle, using culture to boost economic growth, enhancing the Kingdom's global standing, and strengthening national identity through cultural initiatives. It also aims to develop a vibrant cultural sector that showcases Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and traditions to the world.

Alwan highlighted a notable increase in cultural activities in recent years. He pointed to a 150% rise in the establishment of amateur cultural clubs last year, which indicates a thriving cultural scene among creatives and cultural entrepreneurs.

This growth reflects the ongoing support for the cultural sector and aligns with various positive cultural indicators.

Cultural Leadership in Saudi Arabia

Alwan discussed the importance of cultural events in Saudi Arabia and the region, highlighting the Riyadh International Book Fair.

Since its launch nearly 50 years ago, the fair has become a symbol of the Kingdom’s cultural leadership.

It is also a part of an initiative aimed at empowering the publishing industry, raising cultural awareness, improving quality of life, and supporting national economic growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

He noted that the fair is economically significant, generating the highest book sales among Arab book fairs and attracting large numbers of visitors from within and outside the Kingdom.

Alwan concluded that the commission, with support from the Minister of Culture, is committed to enriching the cultural scene in Saudi Arabia and encouraging community engagement.

He emphasized that supporting culture is a shared responsibility among individuals and institutions, and through collaboration, challenges can be addressed to achieve cultural sustainability and enhance Saudi Arabia's cultural leadership in the region and the world.