Riyadh Season 2023: Fresh Identity, Global Entertainment Experiences

Riyadh Season 2023: Fresh Identity, Global Entertainment Experiences
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Riyadh Season 2023: Fresh Identity, Global Entertainment Experiences

Riyadh Season 2023: Fresh Identity, Global Entertainment Experiences

Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), revealed an innovative and fresh identity for the fourth edition of “Riyadh Season,” set to launch on October 28 under the banner of “BigTime.”

Al-Sheikh expressed deep appreciation for the boundless support that the entertainment sector has received from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“This year’s season opening ceremony will be organized by the world’s finest event planners, featuring renowned celebrities and will be accompanied by the ‘Riyadh Season Championship Belt Fight,’ which is the first and largest event of its kind, marking one of the heavyweight boxing’s biggest showdowns,” said Al-Sheikh on Sunday.

Riyadh Season, in its fourth edition, aims to create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and enable nearly 2,000 local and international companies covering an area of more than 7 million square meters of entertainment experiences around the world.

Al-Sheikh announced a new zone, called ‘Boulevard Hall,’ which was built, within 60 days by adopting international artistic and technical standards, on an area spreading over 200,000 square meters, and can accommodate more than 40,000 visitors at a time.

“The ‘Boulevard City’ has completely changed from what it was in the past seasons, as it will embrace global experiences, of which 60% are new,” revealed the GEA head.

The most prominent of which are the centenary celebrations of Disney through “Disney Castle”, which will be presented in the season for the first time and ‘House of Hype,’ which is the largest experience linking the real world and virtual reality.

Moreover, around 30 different interactive experiences, and many other activities will be featured this season.

The GEA chief also announced the establishment of the Legend Museum, the first and largest museum for football legends, as it showcases more than 30,000 rare artifacts and various interactive experiences.

It is considered as the second branch in the world after the Madrid branch. It will feature the CR7 Experience, an exclusive museum designed around Cristiano Ronaldo, featuring his experiences and showcasing Ronaldo’s signature and life story.

It will display all his trophies, personal memorabilia as well as interactive experiences.



Indonesia’s Mount Ibu Erupts, Spews Hot Lava and Smoke

This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
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Indonesia’s Mount Ibu Erupts, Spews Hot Lava and Smoke

This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)

A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Saturday, spewing hot lava and releasing a column of smoke and ash four kilometers (3.1 miles) into the air, an official said.

Mount Ibu, on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, erupted at 7:45 pm central Indonesia time (1145 GMT), sending a tall flaming column soaring into the sky.

"The lava was spotted two kilometers away from the eruption center," Geological Agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement.

Images from the volcano monitoring post showed a bright red column of flame and thick, dark smoke billowing high above the volcano crater.

The volcano is currently still on the second highest alert level.

There has been no new evacuation order, but visitors and villagers have been told to vacate a zone four to 5.5 kilometers from the peak.

The agency also urged people to wear face masks and protective goggles in case of volcanic ash rain.

Ibu is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupting more than 2,000 times last year.

More than 700,000 people lived on Halmahera island as of 2022, according to official figures.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

Last year, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing thousands of residents of nearby islands to evacuate.