Riyadh to Launch First Cultural ‘Fenaa’ to Bring Thinkers, Creatives Together

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
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Riyadh to Launch First Cultural ‘Fenaa’ to Bring Thinkers, Creatives Together

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2017. Picture taken December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

Riyadh is set to open the first inclusive cultural yard on Thursday. Planned by the Ministry of Culture, the center will serve as a vital knowledge space that incubates thinkers, creators, and talents. It also features exhibitions, sculptures, and large areas to host cultural and artistic events and transform the creative talents into promising opportunities for unusual ideas and artworks.

Named “Fenaa Alawwal”, the new center will present an exploration destination and a space for cultural dialogue and exchange aimed at building a diverse community of thinkers and creators, as part of the national strategy to empower culture and turn it into a lifestyle, and create opportunities for global, cultural exchange.

The construction works at the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, have turned the first commercial bank in the kingdom (built in 1988) into an artistic and cultural destination for creators from all fields.

The site’s white, cylindrical columns are covered with local, Saudi decorations, while its exterior yard became a stage for artworks and sculptures, topped by a six-piece, permanent collection specially designed for “Fenaa Alawwal”, reflecting the level of creativity and sophistication of many local and international artists.

The site is also characterized with open, flexible corners that will host cultural and artistic events and activities, in addition to a library that provides a wide collection of books and publications in all fields.

The Ministry of Culture released a video that tells the story of the building, which was transformed from a historic, commercial center into a cultural, artistic destination under the sponsorship of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), as part of the Vision 2030’s national transformation program.

The “Fenaa Alawwal” bets on leading the “Third Place” experience in Saudi Arabia by providing an exploration destination, a cultural hub, a platform for knowledge exchange, and a communication bridge that connects art to its pioneers and generations.

Artist Elham Dawsari said that the “Third Place” concept we see in spaces like “Fenaa Alawwal” is crucial because it links artists, interested audiences, officials, and community members in a spontaneous, simple way that encourages and motivates the artist to connect with the community and exchange thought and creative production.

For her part, Artist Miaad al-Akili welcomed the launch of “Fenaa Alawwal”, which gathers creative and artistic works, hoping the new center to be the first of many cultural centers across the kingdom.

Akili said cultural centers play a major role in developing the local landscape, especially when based on innovation, and nurturing the connection of artists with the different generations. She also believes that such centers represent a major, cultural base for a new journey of Saudi arts, and a different generation supported by these exceptional initiatives.

Artist Ali al-Sharif called for incorporating artistic interests such as sculpting and Al Sadu into education, and to start taking care of the talented students in early stages to ensure that the results meet the requirements of the creative phase that Saudi Arabia is living nowadays.

Sharif urged for building a database that features creators and innovators, allows to communicate with them and support their projects.

He added that art has moral and financial values, and the inherited works emphasize a style that helps communities preserve their heritage and creative works throughout history.



Part Toy, Part Fashion, the Arrival of the Viral Labubu Was a Long Time in the Making

A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
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Part Toy, Part Fashion, the Arrival of the Viral Labubu Was a Long Time in the Making

A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)
A person holds up Labubu dolls in a store during an organized press tour to Popland, a theme park opened by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, in Beijing, China, 02 June 2025. (EPA)

Labubu, the plush toy from China's Pop Mart is a social media darling, but the toothy little monsters are far from an overnight success. Having appeared a decade ago, Labubus may have finally cemented their place in the collectible toy market for years to come.

The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015.

In 2019 Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out.

There are 1.4 million #Labubu TikTok posts and counting, videos of fans unboxing them, showing styles inspired by them, and of course, Labubu cosplay.

Fans have latched on to Labubu’s mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on handbags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors.

“The character has evolved into a collectible and style symbol, resonating with fans who connect with its quirky aesthetic and unique backstory,” Emily Brough, Popmart’s head of IP licensing in the Americas, said.

Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart's plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the company's annual report.

Aside from their ability to pique the interest of toy aficionados and fashionistas, Labubu latched on to the blind box phenomenon, where the purchaser doesn't know exactly which version of the plush toy they'll get.

And Pop Mart made sure there is a Labubu for everyone, regardless of income. Most are priced in a wide rage between $20 and $300, with certain collaborations or limited editions priced higher, according to Brough.

Unlike many toys, Labubu devotees include a large number of adults. Buyers ages 18 and over drove a year-over-year increase of more than $800 million in the US toy market in 2024, according to market research firm Circana. Adult shoppers, mostly female, bought the toys for themselves. In 2025's first quarter, toy sales for those ages 18 and over rose 12% from the prior-year period. At $1.8 billion, adults also accounted for the highest spending among all age groups in the quarter.

Like many retailers, Pop Mart is actively monitoring negotiations between the US and just about every one of its trading partners as prices may be impacted. The situation with China is at the forefront, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday that the country “violated” an agreement with the United States on trade talks.

Right now Pop Mart, whose products are manufactured across Asia, says that it is continuously scaling production and expanding distribution across its online shop, retail stores and blind box vending machines to meet increasing demand.

Short supply has led to long lines at stores and at least one physical fight at a shopping center in the United Kingdom. Pop Mart said in an Instagram post late last month that it was temporarily suspending all in-store and blind box machine sales in the UK Peter Shipman, head of Europe, said in a Facebook post that the company is currently working on a new method to distribute toys to stores.

Resellers have become problematic and many Labubu fans are still willing to pay exorbitant price markups.

Kena Flynn was at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles recently when she stumbled upon some Labubus being sold at a kiosk. Flynn said in a TikTok on Sunday that the prices were “really bad,” but her boyfriend bought two anyway.

“At a certain point, you can’t buy them,” Flynn said in her video. “I just want a Labubu and I cannot buy one from Pop Mart, so here we are.”

Looking to keep up with the overwhelming demand, Pop Mart says it's on track for 50 more retail locations in the US by the end of the year. That'll give shoppers more chances to hunt for Labubus, as Pop Mart says it's planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year.