Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Potential for More Cultural Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud has met in Paris with French Culture Rachida Dati. SPA
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud has met in Paris with French Culture Rachida Dati. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, France Discuss Potential for More Cultural Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud has met in Paris with French Culture Rachida Dati. SPA
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud has met in Paris with French Culture Rachida Dati. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud has met in Paris with French Culture Rachida Dati to further cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Overseeing 11 sector specific commissions, Prince Bader and Dati discussed on Wednesday the potential for new partnerships across multiple cultural sectors, including museums, libraries, theatre and performing arts, culinary arts, film, heritage, and visual arts.
The discussions centered on ways to bolster cooperation and international cultural exchange in the fields of museums, libraries, theater and performing arts, culinary arts, heritage, and films. The two countries explored plans to exchange Islamic and Arabic manuscripts for exhibitions, cooperating through international art residencies which introduce Saudi talent to the French art scene, and an exchange program in theater and performing arts with the Paris National Opera.
"Meeting with Rachida Dati reaffirms our mutual commitment to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France. I look forward to the many new initiatives and programs that will enrich the cultural landscape in both countries,” said Prince Bader.
The meeting follows Dati’s visit to the Kingdom in March when she explored several prominent cultural venues and events in Riyadh including the Diriyah Biennale for Contemporary Art and Irqah Cultural Center.
France and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their partnership through a series of collaborative initiatives. This year the Saudi Film Commission participated in the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival with a Saudi Arabia pavilion. The Saudi film "Norah" was the first film from Saudi Arabia to be screened at the festival, fostering cultural exchange at the international event.
In 2022, the Saudi Ministry of Culture, represented by the Saudi Heritage Commission together with the French embassy in Saudi Arabia, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), and the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) commemorated 20 years of meaningful collaboration between the Kingdom and France in the field of archeology with a two-day symposium in Saudi Arabia.
A notable future initiative is a selection of Islamic artifacts loaned from the Louvre that are set to be exhibited at the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale.
The Saudi Ministry of Culture is leading a cultural renaissance and recognizes the importance of international partnerships to build bridges of understanding between nations and communities. Its dedication is evident through the diverse range of partnerships with France, spanning museums, libraries, film, heritage, and visual and culinary arts, emphasizing the mutual dedication of both nations to fostering cultural exchange and understanding.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.