Frankincense House Opens in AlUla, Celebrating Saudi–Omani Partnership

The launch took place in AlUla’s Old Town, where mud-brick alleyways intersect with traces of history in an immersive experience that brings to life the memory of the place and the spirit of fragrance - SPA
The launch took place in AlUla’s Old Town, where mud-brick alleyways intersect with traces of history in an immersive experience that brings to life the memory of the place and the spirit of fragrance - SPA
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Frankincense House Opens in AlUla, Celebrating Saudi–Omani Partnership

The launch took place in AlUla’s Old Town, where mud-brick alleyways intersect with traces of history in an immersive experience that brings to life the memory of the place and the spirit of fragrance - SPA
The launch took place in AlUla’s Old Town, where mud-brick alleyways intersect with traces of history in an immersive experience that brings to life the memory of the place and the spirit of fragrance - SPA

The temporary House of Frankincense was launched as part of the Incense Road experience in AlUla’s Old Town, within a Saudi–Omani cultural partnership aimed at highlighting the significance of frankincense as one of the most prominent historical elements associated with the ancient Incense Road. The initiative also sheds light on the journey of frankincense from its original homeland in Wadi Dawkah in southern Oman, passing through ancient trade routes across the Arabian Peninsula.

The launch took place in AlUla’s Old Town, where mud-brick alleyways intersect with traces of history in an immersive experience that brings to life the memory of the place and the spirit of fragrance. It offers visitors a vivid window into one of the most important elements of human heritage connected to ancient civilizations, SPA reported.

The Incense Road experience is considered one of the most prominent sensory journeys in the Old Town, with lively mud alleys where live performances intertwine with modern technologies to revive the memory of the place and the paths of ancient caravans. The scenes blend history with imagination, granting visitors new dimensions of discovery and reflection.

This collaboration, the first of its kind between Amouage and the Incense Road experience in AlUla, marks a qualitative step that contributes to deepening visitors’ understanding of the role of frankincense in shaping ancient trade routes, through an informative journey beginning from its natural homeland in Oman’s Dhofar and extending to its cultural and historical significance across eras.

The House of Frankincense will welcome visitors for six months until June 26. Experiences will be held from Tuesday to Saturday, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in both Arabic and English, with additional devices available for the Chinese language.



Jeddah Book Fair Highlights Saudi Manga and Comics’ Rise from Hobby to Professionalism

Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
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Jeddah Book Fair Highlights Saudi Manga and Comics’ Rise from Hobby to Professionalism

Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)

A dialogue session held on the main stage of the Jeddah Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, discussed the rapid transformations taking place in the manga and comics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the title "The Saudi Manga and Comics Wave: From Hobby to Professionalism."

The session began by outlining the features of the creative renaissance in these art forms, explaining how they evolved in just a few years from individual initiatives and youthful hobbies to a mature artistic movement and a cultural vision embraced by institutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session highlighted the development of manga and comics in Saudi Arabia and the challenges and opportunities artists face as they transition from hobby to professional practice. It reviewed the local scene, which has seen a broad presence, bolstered by media platforms that support Saudi productions and help spread this art form among the public.

The session explained that manga and comics in Saudi Arabia have developed a clear artistic identity that reflects Saudi cultural values such as generosity, courage, and humanity. It emphasized that professionalism depends on an integrated system encompassing concept, story writing, illustration, and design.

The session concluded by highlighting the most prominent professional challenges in this field, while stressing that human creativity remains the key factor of manga and comics production and the true engine of this art form's development.


Red Sea Film Festival Partners with Annecy to Boost Saudi Animation Industry and Talent

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
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Red Sea Film Festival Partners with Annecy to Boost Saudi Animation Industry and Talent

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA

The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced a strategic three-year partnership with the CITIA, organizer of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, formalized by a memorandum of understanding signed in Jeddah by Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin.

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence.

The partnership will launch key initiatives starting in 2026, including developing Saudi talent and expanding international collaboration through professional networking and knowledge exchange, and establishing an annual program at the Culture Square in Historic Jeddah featuring Annecy Festival works, workshops, and family events.

The initiatives also include the implementation of training workshops and exchange programs in collaboration with CITIA's network.


Seminar Highlights Saudi Sports as Medium for Global Cultural and Media Exchange

The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
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Seminar Highlights Saudi Sports as Medium for Global Cultural and Media Exchange

The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA

The Jeddah International Book Fair 2025 hosted a seminar on the role of sports as a medium for cultural and media exchange, highlighting the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017, driven by official support that has attracted global talents.

By attracting global stars, Saudi Arabia is building new communication bridges worldwide, establishing Saudi sports as a key destination for millions of international viewers. This movement confirms the Kingdom's growing presence as a global cultural and sports destination.

The Jeddah International Book Fair serves as a prominent platform supporting this intellectual and cultural exchange.