Saudi Arabia to Host K-CON Korean Festival for 2nd Time in October

The two-day festival will showcase the participation of 14 Korean bands
The two-day festival will showcase the participation of 14 Korean bands
TT
20

Saudi Arabia to Host K-CON Korean Festival for 2nd Time in October

The two-day festival will showcase the participation of 14 Korean bands
The two-day festival will showcase the participation of 14 Korean bands

The Saudi Music Commission has announced that the Kingdom will host the K-CON festival for the second time on October 6-7 at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh Boulevard City.

The two-day festival will showcase the participation of 14 Korean bands, presenting a global music concert that celebrates a diverse range of Korean cultural creations. In addition to the musical performances, there will be an accompanying exhibition dedicated to Korean culture.

Originating in 2012, the K-CON festival has grown into one of the largest Korean cultural festivals, having been hosted by eight cities on four continents in recent years, attracting a substantial audience of over a million visitors. The festival encompasses various aspects of Korean culture, including music, fashion, cuisine, beverages, and films.

It will also feature an exhibition introducing Saudi and international audiences to Korean culture, as well as a dedicated area for the sale of Korean products.

The decision to host this global event in the Kingdom aligns with an agreement previously established between the Ministry of Culture and the Korean CJ company. It reflects the ministry's commitment to promoting international cultural exchange, in line with its strategic objectives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

The initiative underscores the ministry's efforts to attract leading international festivals and events to the Kingdom while furthering Saudi contributions to arts and culture.



Smoke From Canadian Fires Reaches Europe, Says EU Climate Monitor

 This photo provided by the Manitoba government shows wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Manitoba government via AP)
This photo provided by the Manitoba government shows wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Manitoba government via AP)
TT
20

Smoke From Canadian Fires Reaches Europe, Says EU Climate Monitor

 This photo provided by the Manitoba government shows wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Manitoba government via AP)
This photo provided by the Manitoba government shows wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Manitoba government via AP)

Heavy smoke from intense wildfires in Canada has reached northwestern Europe, the European Union's climate monitoring service said on Tuesday.

The huge plumes are at very high altitude and do not pose an immediate health risk, it said in a statement.

"Smoke originating from the wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan has been transported across the Atlantic," the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) said.

Satellites tracked the smoke in mid-May, with some plumes reaching as far east as Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.

"A second, much larger, smoke plume crossed the Atlantic during the last week of May, reaching northwestern parts of Europe on June 1," CAMS said.

Additional plumes are expected to shade the continent in the coming days.

Wildfire smoke is comprised of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, along with water vapor and particle pollution, which can be particularly hazardous to health.

A high concentration of carbon monoxide is expected to pass over northwestern France, including the Paris Basin, on Tuesday.

The high-altitude smoke headed for Europe is not expected to have a significant impact on surface air quality, but is likely to result in hazy skies and reddish-orange sunsets.

Manitoba in central Canada is experiencing its worst start to the fire season in years due to drought, and Saskatchewan to the west declared a state of emergency at the end of May, evacuating thousands of residents.

"Central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions," said Mark Parrington, scientific director at CAMS.

Canadian authorities have forecast a more intense fire season than usual this summer in central and western Canada, due in particular to severe or extreme drought.

Elsewhere, extensive forest fires have been raging in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District since early April, particularly east of Lake Baikal, generating carbon emissions of around 35 million tons, Copernicus reported.