Saudi Arabia’s Culture Ministry revealed Monday plans to launch its first cultural center, Fenaa Alawwal (FAA) at the Diplomatic Quarter in the capital Riyadh.
FAA is expected to become a cultural and creative hub, offering a wide range of cultural programming, including art exhibitions and workshops.
It also aims to bring together a diverse community of intellectuals, creators, and leading talents.
FAA is located in the historic building of Alawwal Bank, formerly known as the Saudi Hollandi Bank, the first commercial bank to operate in the Kingdom.
Omrania Company designed the bank’s headquarters in Riyadh in 1988. It is one of the prominent landmarks of the Diplomatic Quarter with its distinctive design, which consists of colossal columns framed in a square-shaped canopy and decorated with traditional Najdi-style motifs.
The building was recently placed under the custody of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), in line with Vision 2030’s National Transformation Program, of which culture is an essential component.
As part of its efforts to promote culture as a way of life and to create opportunities for global cultural exchange, the Ministry repurposed the building as a multidisciplinary cultural space.
The center will host temporary art exhibitions, creative and educational workshops, and a diverse program of seminars and other cultural activities.
Additionally, FAA will be home to a specialized library offering a wide selection of interdisciplinary art books, as well as a permanent art collection displayed at the Sculpture Garden.
The Garden features a collection of six unique art pieces, the majority of which were specially designed for Fenaa Alawwal, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the work of renowned local and international artists.
