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2025 Islamic Arts Biennale Opens in Jeddah

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
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2025 Islamic Arts Biennale Opens in Jeddah

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation inaugurated on Saturday the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That is in Between, which will run until May 25.
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. The venue, the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, holds deep emotional resonance for millions of Muslim pilgrims embarking on their sacred journeys for Hajj and Umrah. By juxtaposing historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.
The Biennale artistic team is led by prominent international experts, including Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, alongside Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, who serves as Curator, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The title, And All That is in Between, originates from a verse that appears several times in the Quran: “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.” It captures the majesty of God’s creation as perceived by humankind. Spanning five exhibition halls, outdoor spaces, and more than 500 objects and contemporary artworks, the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale delves into how humanity endeavors to comprehend the divine.
In its second edition, the Biennale showcases significantly more works and welcomes a greater number of participating institutions, solidifying its position as the central global platform for Islamic arts. Loans from leading institutions across the world, including the Musée du Louvre (Paris), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscripts Institute of Türkiye (Istanbul), enrich the exhibition. Saudi institutions contributing to the Biennale include the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) (Dhahran), the King Abdulaziz Waqf Libraries Assembly (Madinah), and the King Fahad National Library (Riyadh). Visitors can also view objects and works of art from the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah.
A key highlight is the first-ever display of the entire Kiswah—the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba—outside of Makkah. This Kiswah, created annually, is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year, SPA said.
The Biennale features contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and beyond, including 29 new commissions. This reflects the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s commitment to providing a global platform for Saudi artists and bringing international artists to Saudi Arabia, fostering engagement with diverse perspectives in contemporary art.
The Biennale comprises seven thematic sections: AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), AlMuqtani (Homage), AlMidhallah (The Canopy), AlMukarramah (The Honored), AlMunawwarah (The Illuminated), and AlMusalla. These components are housed in indoor galleries and outdoor spaces spanning 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Public programs accompanying the Biennale include talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia throughout the exhibition period. Notable inaugural programs include Biennale After School and Biennale After Work, which offer hands-on art workshops for children and adults, fostering creativity and reflection.

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Culture

'Children’s Literary Week' Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia's Qatif

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
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'Children’s Literary Week' Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia's Qatif

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched Children’s Literary Week in Qatif Governorate.

The four-day event aims to enhance the presence of literature in the lives of children and adolescents and to develop their creative skills through an integrated cultural experience, SPA reported.

The activities offer a diverse program that includes creative writing workshops, storytelling theater, and interactive sessions designed to transform reading into an enjoyable experience and a journey of discovery.

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation, SPA said.

The program also provides children and adolescents with practical spaces to engage with literary texts and develop their storytelling and imaginative skills through initiatives that combine learning and entertainment, supporting the early discovery and nurturing of literary talents.

Culture

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL
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Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), has launched the "SIDF Terminology Dictionary", an initiative aimed at enhancing the clarity and precision of the terms used in SIDF's operations and ensuring their alignment with applicable systems and policies. This launch coincides with the World Arabic Language Day, in celebration of the Arabic language and its role in expressing concepts of industry and development.

According to a statement issued by the SIDF on Thursday, the first edition of the dictionary includes more than 170 terms and definitions in both Arabic and English, covering financial, industrial, advisory, legal, and knowledge-related fields. It also features a dedicated section for abbreviations and the linguistic roots of selected words, enriching Arabic content with specialized terminology and strengthening its linguistic and knowledge value.

The dictionary aims to broaden understanding of SIDF's terminology among those interested in its activities while serving as an official reference for both internal and external audiences. It also targets researchers, partners, clients, and professionals engaged with SIDF, providing a unified knowledge tool that enhances effective communication and standardizes language use across diverse and varied contexts.

The statement added that the dictionary features an interactive design that allows readers to easily access information, browse terms, and search for definitions in a clear and seamless manner. It is available through SIDF website via the following link: (https://bit.ly/SIDF_Dictionary), where SIDF will continue to develop and update its content to reflect ongoing changes, advancements, and transformations in the industrial sector.

Culture

Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program

Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program
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Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program

Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program

The Saudi Music Commission has launched the “Music Compass” program as a strategic initiative aimed at developing music business management in the Kingdom.

The program seeks to equip practitioners with advanced skills in managing artistic careers and artists’ affairs, while building more professional and effective career pathways that align with the rapid growth of the global music sector.

The program is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to enhance competencies in the music sector, elevate practical expertise, and adopt global best practices in artistic talent management. These efforts advance artists’ careers, expand career pathways, increase employment opportunities, and strengthen the sector’s long-term capabilities. The program also aims to empower Saudi artists to access global markets and support the development of a sustainable and balanced music ecosystem, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

“Music Compass” includes a series of workshops and training sessions delivered in person and virtually, covering artist management, the music sector's infrastructure and economic ecosystem, and advanced in-person training focused on practical skills and professional development tools.

According to SPA, a select group of participants will be nominated to attend major international music conferences and festivals, providing them with exposure to global best practices and the opportunity to build extensive professional networks with experts and specialists in music business management.

The program also features partnerships with private-sector entities and nonprofit organizations that specialize in developing creative talent. The partnerships aim to support the sustainable development of music business managers’ capabilities and to enhance their representation and presence at international conferences and exhibitions, thereby raising awareness of the sector and advancing its growth at both the local and global levels.