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Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art Hosts Fourth Edition of BIENALSUR

The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025 - SPA
The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025 - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art Hosts Fourth Edition of BIENALSUR

The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025 - SPA
The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025 - SPA

The Museums Commission inaugurated on Wednesday the fourth Saudi edition of the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South (BIENALSUR) at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) in JAX District, Diriyah.

The event will run under the theme “Let’s Play: A Labyrinth of Options,” aiming to strengthen cultural dialogue between the Kingdom and the world through contemporary art, according to SPA.

The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025, under the supervision of BIENALSUR Artistic Director Diana Wechsler, and features the participation of 26 artists from inside and outside the Kingdom.

This year’s edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of BIENALSUR, which began at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF) in Buenos Aires with the support of UNESCO. Over the past decade, the biennial has expanded to more than 70 cities and 140 cultural institutions worldwide.

The Saudi edition contributes to advancing the mission of SAMoCA to empower Saudi talents, promote cultural exchange, and broaden access to contemporary art across the Kingdom.

During the opening ceremony, visitors experienced a variety of interactive artworks combining light, sound, and movement, offering reflections on the concepts of choice, experimentation, and rediscovery. The exhibition transforms art into a space for play, contemplation, and human connection through an inspiring and dynamic artistic experience.

According to the commission, SAMoCA is also presenting two accompanying artistic programs as part of BIENALSUR. The first, titled “SAFAR,” is a concert series running from November 12 to December 7, featuring independent international artists performing adjacent to the museum. The initiative aims to attract music lovers and encourage collaboration among different art forms.

The SAFAR program includes several notable performances: the French band Bon Entendeur will make its debut performance in the Kingdom on October 28; Nigerian artist Keziah Jones, pioneer of the “Blufunk” genre that fuses blues, funk, soul, and Yoruba heritage, will perform on November 12; and the duo Love and Revenge will conclude the program on December 8 with a concert reimagining the legacy of Umm Kulthum through a mix of electronic music and cinematic visuals. On December 7, a masterclass will be held by artist Wael Kodeih as part of the training program accompanying the event.

The second program, “MUNTADA,” will run from November 2 to 8, and includes workshops, advanced courses, panel discussions, and film screenings under the theme “Focus on Image: Tools, Language, and Its Power.”

The program features leading practitioners exploring how images are created, interpreted, and shared in the modern era.

Through this event, the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art continues to establish itself as a leading national platform for modern art and a bridge for creative exchange between artists in the Kingdom and around the world.

It reflects the Museums Commission’s commitment to supporting Saudi artists and enhancing their international presence, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a thriving cultural society and a sustainable creative economy.

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Culture

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Visits Ameen Rihani Museum

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari is seen during his visit to the museum. (SPA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari is seen during his visit to the museum. (SPA)
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Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Visits Ameen Rihani Museum

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari is seen during his visit to the museum. (SPA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari is seen during his visit to the museum. (SPA)

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari visited on Monday the Ameen Rihani Museum in the town of Freike in Matn District, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The ambassador was received by members of the Rihani family, led by the museum's curator, Ameen Albert Rihani, who welcomed him and praised the historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

They recalled the historic meeting between King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and Lebanese writer and historian Ameen Rihani in 1922.

During the visit, Al-Dosari toured the museum's historical and literary sections and viewed the exhibition marking the centenary of the book “Rihaniyyat”.

Culture

On World Camel Day, Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Celebrates Camel Heritage and Reinforces Its Cultural Identity

In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. (SPA)
In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. (SPA)
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On World Camel Day, Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Celebrates Camel Heritage and Reinforces Its Cultural Identity

In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. (SPA)
In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. (SPA)

World Camel Day, observed annually on June 22, serves as a global occasion to reflect on the enduring relationship between humans and camels throughout history.

The day highlights camels' economic contributions, their role in supporting food security and sustainable development, and their cultural significance, which extends beyond geographical boundaries and has made them a deeply rooted symbol in the collective memory of peoples worldwide, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. This is reflected in the significant attention devoted to the sector through specialized initiatives and events, support for camel owners, and efforts to preserve and sustain this heritage as one of the Kingdom's most prominent cultural assets.

Across AlUla, rock art and inscriptions dating back thousands of years tell the story of the close relationship between humans and camels. (SPA)

Across AlUla, rock art and inscriptions dating back thousands of years tell the story of the close relationship between humans and camels. These animals contributed to the prosperity of trade routes, facilitated mobility, and supported the stability of successive communities.

Camels remain an essential part of AlUla's heritage and a testament to the deep connection between people and their environment since ancient times.

Today, camels in AlUla are more than witnesses to history. They are an integral part of the region's cultural and sporting landscape and a key element of the tourism experience offered by the land of civilizations.

Through a contemporary vision that combines the authenticity of history with the aspirations of the future, AlUla continues to showcase this rich heritage, ensuring that camels remain among the most enduring symbols in the story of people and place across generations.

Culture

Najran Sees Growing Interest in Heritage and Archaeological Artifact Collection

These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present - SPA
These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present - SPA
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Najran Sees Growing Interest in Heritage and Archaeological Artifact Collection

These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present - SPA
These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present - SPA

Najran Region has witnessed growing enthusiasm among community members and heritage enthusiasts for collecting traditional and archaeological artifacts that document historical eras linked to the region’s civilization and the lives of previous generations, contributing to reconnecting society with its roots and raising awareness of the importance of preserving tangible heritage as an essential part of cultural identity.

Heritage enthusiasts play a significant role in preserving Najran’s cultural legacy by establishing private museums that display archaeological items, traditional tools, clothing, photographs, and historical collections reflecting daily life and customs, SPA reported.

These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present.

The hobby of collecting heritage items in Najran ranges from gathering everyday tools such as pottery and agricultural equipment to traditional clothing, jewelry, weapons, books, and manuscripts. Motivations vary between personal documentation, preserving family memory, and academic research aimed at understanding historical social and economic practices.

Local markets and seasonal exhibitions, along with digital platforms, have contributed to expanding this hobby, enabling knowledge exchange and increasing awareness of preservation methods and historical value. Community initiatives and workshops further support proper documentation and conservation, ensuring that this passion complements heritage preservation while adhering to scientific and legal standards.