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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
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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.

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Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture
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Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

Saudi Arabia, UK Announce 2029 as Saudi-UK Year of Culture

The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport have announced the year 2029 as the official Saudi-UK Year of Culture, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The announcement follows an official visit by Britain’s Prince William to Saudi Arabia this week.

For nearly a century, formal relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK and Northern Ireland have evolved into a multifaceted international relationship that has expanded across culture, education, and innovation, reflecting shared values and a mutual commitment to long-term cooperation.

In recent years, cultural exchange has emerged as a cornerstone of Saudi-British relations, driven by joint initiatives in heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, and higher education.

This ongoing expansion of cultural exchange lays the foundation for the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029, a year-long program celebrating creative dialogue and the shared heritage of Saudi Arabia and the UK, while deepening cultural ties for generations to come. It will also be a great opportunity for young people in both countries to connect in new ways.

Supported by Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s continued promotion of cultural innovation and creativity, the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029 will be an important milestone for both countries.

Culture

Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
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Prince William Visits Historic, Natural Sites in AlUla Accompanied by Saudi Culture Minister

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)
The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development. (SPA)

Britain’s Prince William visited a number of historic, natural, and cultural sites in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, accompanied by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The visit reflects the depth of Saudi-British relations and their growing cooperation in culture, arts, environmental sustainability, and human capability development, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

During his tour, Prince William reviewed a number of environmental initiatives at Sharaan Nature Reserve, including ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts. He was briefed on programs to rehabilitate natural habitats, restore ecological balance, and reintroduce species such as the Arabian oryx and mountain ibex, contributing to long-term goals for the recovery of the Arabian leopard in its natural environment.

He received an overview of the history of AlUla Old Town and the Incense Road, and the role of culture and arts as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries. The visit included viewing artworks at AlUla Arts Festival 2026.

Prince William met with Saudi youths participating in joint cultural programs and initiatives between the two countries. The visit also featured a tour of AlUla Oasis Cultural District.

The visit highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and British cultural institutions within an organized framework of cooperation encompassing cultural, educational, and environmental entities, supporting balanced and sustainable development in AlUla and reinforcing its status as a global destination for heritage, culture, and nature.

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Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
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Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture organized a specialized workshop to review and develop the third edition of the Cultural Heritage Documentation and Digital Archiving Guide in the Kingdom.

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners, as part of the center’s efforts to standardize methodologies for documenting and archiving cultural heritage and to enhance institutional practices for managing national cultural memory.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing efforts to establish national standard frameworks for the management and digital documentation of cultural heritage, strengthen integration among entities, and equip practitioners with the necessary tools and methodologies.

These efforts reinforce the role of the Saudi cultural memory center in preserving the Kingdom’s cultural memory and support the objectives of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.