Sultan bin Abdulaziz Foundation Lauds Saudi Arabia, UNESCO on World Arabic Language Day Celebration

Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation logo
Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation logo
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Sultan bin Abdulaziz Foundation Lauds Saudi Arabia, UNESCO on World Arabic Language Day Celebration

Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation logo
Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation logo

Secretary General of Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation Prince Faisal bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz stressed that the World Arabic Language Day celebration, organized by the foundation in collaboration with UNESCO and Saudi Arabia's Permanent Delegation to the organization, and held in Paris last Wednesday, provided a prominent platform to emphasize the significance of the Arabic language and its vital role in shaping the cultural and civilizational identity of Arab and Islamic nations.

He mentioned that it was a remarkable opportunity to explore the challenges faced by the language in the digital era, as well as ways to promote it through AI and innovation.

He also praised UNESCO's role and its great interest in the Arabic language, as well as the organization’s continuous efforts to support events that highlight the Arabic language as a global human heritage.

He also acknowledged the efforts of Saudi Arabia's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO for its active and distinguished role in holding the celebration, and for its diligent work in promoting the Kingdom's position as a hub for the Arabic language regionally and internationally.

Prince Faisal noted that the foundation's support for this celebration aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030, which places special emphasis on the Arabic language as a tool for global communication and a source of creativity and innovation.

He also highlighted the foundation's commitment to fostering collaboration with both international and local institutions to promote the Arabic language, utilizing avenues such as scientific research, technological initiatives, and cultural and educational activities.



Ithra Showcases Art Collection for the First Time at Art Week Riyadh

Ithra showcases art collection for the first time at Art Week Riyadh. (SPA)
Ithra showcases art collection for the first time at Art Week Riyadh. (SPA)
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Ithra Showcases Art Collection for the First Time at Art Week Riyadh

Ithra showcases art collection for the first time at Art Week Riyadh. (SPA)
Ithra showcases art collection for the first time at Art Week Riyadh. (SPA)

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced in a press release Monday its participation as an Exhibition Partner at the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh.

This initiative of the Ministry of Culture’s Visual Arts Commission is being held from April 6 –13, 2025, across key cultural sites in Riyadh, including JAX District and Al Mousa Center, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The event celebrates the nation’s dynamic art scene, bringing together leading local and international galleries, cultural institutions, artists, patrons, collectors, and arts enthusiasts, under the theme "At The Edge".

The release stated that during Art Week Riyadh, Ithra is presenting a curated selection of 15 significant works from its museum collection, titled "Landscape and Memory," as part of the event’s invited collections exhibition, under the title of "Collections in Dialogue”.

Spanning from the early 1900s to 2022, the display showcases a rich variety of artistic practices and cultural expressions. Featuring both regional and international artists, it includes sculptures, paintings, and installations, providing a captivating overview of Ithra’s prized art collection.

Moreover, the exhibition explores the interplay between material memory, transformation, and the landscapes that shape identity, questioning how history is preserved, reinterpreted, and reimagined through art. The exhibition portrays memory not only as a mark on the world but as a dynamic force that links us to the past while opening new possibilities for the future.

Featured artists and their works include the Saudi Arabian artist and film director Mohammed Alfaraj’s Fossils of Knowledge (2022), Maha Malluh’s Oil Candies (KSA - 2019), and three works by American artist Gregory Mahoney: Sea Land (1991), Five Gallons/Five Oceans (1995), and End of the World (1993).

Also on display are South Korean artist Do Ho Suh’s Screens (2005); three photographs by Saudi photographer Moath Aloufi, The Scene (2019), I Am the One (2019), and The Family (2019); as well as Italian master Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Persone in Comunicazione (2019); Lebanese calligraphy artist Joumana Medlej’s Who Am I? (2015); and Saudi eclectic artist Sultan bin Fahad’s Sultan Bin Fahad 1440 AH (2016). Additionally, Palestinian sculptor Abdul Rahman Katanani’s Tornado (2020); Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s The Place is Mine, Series #3 (2019); and Egyptian painter and sculptor Moataz Nasr’s Burning (2019) are also part of the exhibition.

The release emphasized that the exhibition provides a glimpse into Ithra’s diverse collection, highlighting its variety and celebrating the vibrancy of contemporary art.

Head of Museum at Ithra Farah Abushullaih said, "Ithra’s participation in Art Week Riyadh is an opportunity to celebrate creative expression and embrace diverse artistic and cultural perspectives. It is an opportunity to share a glimpse of the Ithra Museum and its rich collection of works."