عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Tourists Flock to AlUla's Gharameel Reserve for Endangered Species

The Gharameel nature reserve is a stunning expanse of desert wilderness renowned for its unique biodiversity (SPA)
The Gharameel nature reserve is a stunning expanse of desert wilderness renowned for its unique biodiversity (SPA)
TT
TT

Tourists Flock to AlUla's Gharameel Reserve for Endangered Species

The Gharameel nature reserve is a stunning expanse of desert wilderness renowned for its unique biodiversity (SPA)
The Gharameel nature reserve is a stunning expanse of desert wilderness renowned for its unique biodiversity (SPA)

Located 60 kilometers north of AlUla city, northwestern Saudi Arabia, the Gharameel reserve is a stunning expanse of desert wilderness renowned for its unique biodiversity, for the variety of rock formations, and for its sand dunes and hills, SPA said on Sunday.
This remarkable landscape has made Gharameel a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.
In a recent effort to enhance the reserve's natural beauty and ecological balance, the National Center for Wildlife and the Royal Commission for AlUla collaborated to release 14 Arabian oryx and 40 gazelles into the reserve.
The aim is to reintroduce locally endangered species, restore biodiversity, and promote environmental sustainability, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Pharrell Advocates for Reviving Arts Competitions for 2028 Olympics at Louis Vuitton Event 

Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
TT
TT

Pharrell Advocates for Reviving Arts Competitions for 2028 Olympics at Louis Vuitton Event 

Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)
Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP)

If given the chance, Pharrell Williams would reintroduce arts competition into the Olympics, reviving a tradition that's been missing for nearly 80 years.

Williams is aiming to reinstate arts competitions back on the world's biggest sports stage, starting with raising awareness through his star-studded Louis Vuitton event Thursday in Paris. He passionately shared his goal to see the tradition revived by the Olympics in 2028 the night before the Games’ opening ceremony.

“We get to remind people that at one point, the Olympics actually had the arts as a section that ran all these competitions,” Williams before the event. “Sculpture, architecture, visual arts. The idea we get to put the arts back in. ... Why not take this moment to bring awareness?”

Art competitions first came into fruition at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm with medals awarded in five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture. However, the International Olympic Committee ended the competitions in the 1948 games. An attempt to bring it back was denied four years later.

Williams, the musician-turned-designer, hosted the ritzy A-list event at the Louis Vuitton Foundation building. Attendees included popular figures such as LeBron James, Steven Spielberg, Mick Jagger, Zendaya, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron, Serena Williams, Rosalía, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah and Zac Efron.

Williams called the inside of the event like an “indoor carnival.” He curated a select group of world-renowned artists including KAWS, Daniel Arsham and Derek Fordjour to design interactive art installations.

Some of the sports represented at the event included archery, tennis, basketball and equestrianism along with carnival games. “The game will begin on the inside tonight,” he said.

Through donations, Williams said he wanted the event to support Olympic hopefuls as well as 36 athletes across 11 different countries who are competing on the Refugee Olympic Team this year.

“We get to raise money for the other athletes who don't have the means to get the gear or proper training equipment,” said Williams, who added that he spoke about creating music for the games with Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC.

The famed producer said he recorded a track called “Triumph is Cosmos.”

“This is like the victory lap around the solar system,” he said.