Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with Cultural Performances, Festivities

DGDA announced the celebration of Eid Al-Adha with various artistic and cultural events. SPA
DGDA announced the celebration of Eid Al-Adha with various artistic and cultural events. SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with Cultural Performances, Festivities

DGDA announced the celebration of Eid Al-Adha with various artistic and cultural events. SPA
DGDA announced the celebration of Eid Al-Adha with various artistic and cultural events. SPA

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has announced the celebration of Eid Al-Adha with various artistic and cultural events designed to entertain and delight residents and visitors.

The celebrations are taking place in iconic locations around Diriyah, including At-Turaif district and Bujairi Terrace.

The festivities commenced on the first day of Eid and will continue for four days, DGDA said in a statement. Engaging live performances, such as the traditional Al-Ardha and Al-Samari and interactive shows in At-Turaif, will ensure entertainment for all who attend and invite everyone to participate in the celebration.

Highlights of the celebration will include Arabian horse shows, Henna, and candy distribution via roaming classic cars, all of which will add to the celebratory spirit, it said.

According to the statement, DGDA will distribute 25,000 cash gifts (Eidiya) and 10,000 Eid chocolate gifts to families and visitors.

DGDA will host events in three parks, each featuring ten pavilions that showcase Diriyah's cultural legacy.

Bujairi Terrace will be a focal point of the celebrations, hosting a variety of cultural events, live musical performances, and art installations. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage in the traditional art of drawing on pottery cups adorned with Najdi inscriptions, and the immersive 'Diriyah Calligrapher' experience will offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Diriyah.

Diriyah's celebrations, during Eid and other significant occasions, have consistently drawn thousands of visitors from within the Kingdom and beyond. "These programs, rooted in Diriyah's rich culture and heritage, offer unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on all who attend," the statement said.



Diriyah Art Futures Launches Emerging New Media Artists Program

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, DAF seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of New Media Art. SPA
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, DAF seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of New Media Art. SPA
TT

Diriyah Art Futures Launches Emerging New Media Artists Program

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, DAF seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of New Media Art. SPA
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, DAF seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of New Media Art. SPA

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), a pioneering new media arts center in Saudi Arabia, has announced the 12 successful applicants to its inaugural Emerging New Media Artists Program, which is launching later this year.
The program includes a diverse array of promising talents representing a broad range of creative practices and backgrounds, with strong representation from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Running for one year, the fully funded program offers access to cutting-edge professional equipment and facilities, a production budget, learning experiences with international guest specialists in new media art, and personal mentorships from prominent international digital artists.

The inaugural group of emerging new media artists includes:
- Salma Aly (Egypt), specializing in interactive art.
- Samia Dzaïr (Algeria-France), a two-dimensional (2D) and stop-motion animator.
- Aya Abu Ghazaleh (Jordan), a visual artist and art therapist.
- Dhia Dhibi (Tunisia), a multidisciplinary artist, curator and researcher.
- Khaled Makshoush (Saudi Arabia), who specializes in pixel art.
- William Brooks (Wales), an artist exploring sound art through physical objects.
- Haonan He (China), who merges cartography, instrument making, and digital tech.
- Turki Al-Qahtani (Saudi Arabia), a media artist and filmmaker reflecting Arab motifs.
- Youssef El Idrissi (Morocco), a multidisciplinary artist, cultural engineer, and researcher.
- Kyle Donald Marais (South Africa), an extended-reality (XR) developer and creative technologist.
- Mohamed Al Mubarak (Bahrain), a documentary filmmaker and video artist.
- Almuqawil Meshal (Saudi Arabia), an independent artist and curator.

Designed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France, the program is part of a wider partnership between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Diriyah Company to facilitate creativity across art, technology, and academia.

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, DAF seeks to establish Riyadh as a global capital of New Media Art and empower the next generation of creative pioneers.

DAF aims to pioneer new horizons for creative practice in diverse fields where art intersects with science and technology. It was established through an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, standing as the first center dedicated to new media and digital arts in the MENA region.

The center also serves as a space for creators from around the world to collaborate, think, and innovate, focusing on research, documentation, and the production of new inspiring works.

Additionally, DAF provides artists and researchers with an opportunity to participate in its scheduled activities, including public events and educational programs, while also offering them residency programs.

The center seeks to contribute to enriching the Saudi artistic scene and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for new media and digital arts. It highlights the talents of active artists in the region, allowing them to leave their impactful mark on art, science, and technology.