Saudi Theater Commission to Host 14th Gulf Theater Festival

Saudi Theater Commission to Host 14th Gulf Theater Festival
TT

Saudi Theater Commission to Host 14th Gulf Theater Festival

Saudi Theater Commission to Host 14th Gulf Theater Festival

Saudi Arabia’s Theater and Performing Arts Commission announced on Wednesday that it will host the 14th edition of the Gulf Theater Festival in Riyadh in September.

Held under the patronage of Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event will take place from September 10 to 17.

Hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, the event will be a cultural and theatrical gathering of artists and creative talents from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The festival will feature several theatrical performances by artists from across the GCC, along with a wide range of cultural and artistic events.

The events will serve as a foundation for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and intellectual dialogue to advance the theater scene in the GCC.

The festival will also include Gulf theatrical performances, seminars, and workshops.



Abu Al-Waul: Saudi Arabia's Longest Cave Beckons Adventure Seekers

Abu Al-Waul, the Kingdom's longest cave beckons adventure seekers. (SPA)
Abu Al-Waul, the Kingdom's longest cave beckons adventure seekers. (SPA)
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Abu Al-Waul: Saudi Arabia's Longest Cave Beckons Adventure Seekers

Abu Al-Waul, the Kingdom's longest cave beckons adventure seekers. (SPA)
Abu Al-Waul, the Kingdom's longest cave beckons adventure seekers. (SPA)

Situated in the Harrat Khaybar volcanic field, in the Khaybar Governorate of the Madinah region, Abu Al-Waul Cave has become a popular destination for caving enthusiasts, researchers, and adventurers. It is the longest basalt cave in Saudi Arabia, stretching some 5 kilometers, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) is working on projects to improve caves and other tourist sites, focusing on their geological and tourism potential. Cave tourism is attracting visitors to the Kingdom.
An SPA reporter's tour with cave exploration enthusiast Hassan Al-Rashidi revealed that Harrat Khaybar is home to many caves formed thousands of years ago. Recently uncovered by the SGS, Abu Al-Waul Cave derives its name from the abundance of ibex skeletons discovered within (waul being the Arabic plural for ibex).
Al-Rashidi highlighted the tourism potential of Harrat Khaybar, due to its many caves and volcanoes, which offer the opportunity to study their geological formations and rock structure.
Al-Rashidi documents his explorations to provide valuable information for researchers, enthusiasts, and adventurers. This includes detailing cave locations, types, access routes, preservation methods, and organizing trips to these sites.