Saudi Arabia, UK Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation in Cultural and Architectural Design

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
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Saudi Arabia, UK Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation in Cultural and Architectural Design

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo
The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission logo

The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission has said that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom.

The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the King Abdullah Financial District during the "Great Futures" Initiative conference. The Architecture and Design Commission was represented by the CEO, Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, while the Royal College of Art in the UK was represented by the College President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christoph Lindner.

The memorandum aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the cultural and architectural design fields and to implement best practices through various areas of collaboration. These include offering short courses and workshops in architecture and design, implementing specialized educational programs, and supporting entrepreneurship programs in the sector.

Solaiman emphasized that this step reflects the commission's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and knowledge exchange in various fields of architecture and design, contributing to the development and growth of this sector to achieve the highest standards of excellence.

She also noted that this memorandum is part of the commission's strategic plans, highlighting the importance of building international strategic partnerships to foster innovation and development in the architecture and design sectors overseen by the commission. The MoU aligns with the commission's approach to building international strategic partnerships with leading global organizations to attract and apply best practices and international expertise.

This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries across various sectors. It encourages and supports cultural and educational exchange between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.



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)
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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.