Saudi General Entertainment Authority Announces Sponsorship of Comedy Factory Initiative

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) logo
The Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) logo
TT

Saudi General Entertainment Authority Announces Sponsorship of Comedy Factory Initiative

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) logo
The Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) logo

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al Al-Sheikh announced the authority's sponsorship of the "Comedy Factory" initiative, aimed at discovering and supporting young talents in the fields of comedy and theater.

Through this sponsorship, the Authority aims to create a supportive environment, enabling young Saudis to unleash their creativity and provide unique comedy content that reflects the Saudi identity and humorously addresses community issues.
The initiative serves as a platform for young Saudis to showcase their humorous talents, fostering the development of creative capabilities in this field and offering an opportunity to refine their skills under the guidance of specialists in comedy art.

The Comedy Factory is part of a series of initiatives organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of its efforts to boost entertainment activity. The initiative encompasses workshops, training courses, and competitive events designed to refine the skills of emerging comedy actors, preparing them for effective participation in the entertainment industry.



Coffee and Snake - Taipei Pet Shop Aims to Break Down Prejudice Against the Animal 

A snake can be seen at Pythonism, a pet store, that offers customers an opportunity to enjoy the company of snakes while sipping coffee, ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, which will usher in the Year of the Snake, in Taipei, Taiwan January 23, 2025. (Reuters)
A snake can be seen at Pythonism, a pet store, that offers customers an opportunity to enjoy the company of snakes while sipping coffee, ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, which will usher in the Year of the Snake, in Taipei, Taiwan January 23, 2025. (Reuters)
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Coffee and Snake - Taipei Pet Shop Aims to Break Down Prejudice Against the Animal 

A snake can be seen at Pythonism, a pet store, that offers customers an opportunity to enjoy the company of snakes while sipping coffee, ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, which will usher in the Year of the Snake, in Taipei, Taiwan January 23, 2025. (Reuters)
A snake can be seen at Pythonism, a pet store, that offers customers an opportunity to enjoy the company of snakes while sipping coffee, ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, which will usher in the Year of the Snake, in Taipei, Taiwan January 23, 2025. (Reuters)

As the Year of the Snake approaches, a pet store in Taipei is offering adventurous customers an opportunity to enjoy the company of snakes while sipping coffee, hoping to break down some of the prejudice against the animal.

Taiwan has been plastered with images of the reptile ahead of the start of the Lunar New Year, which starts on Wednesday and whose zodiac animal this year is the snake.

The snake has a mixed reputation in traditional Taiwanese and Chinese culture as a symbol of either good or bad.

Some of Taiwan's indigenous peoples venerate snakes as guardian spirits, and while the island is home to species potentially deadly to humans, including vipers and cobras, deaths are rare given the wide availability of anti-venom.

Luo Chih-yu, 42, the owner of the Taipei pet shop Pythonism which opened in 2017, is offering potential snake owners the chance to interact with snakes over a cup of coffee.

"I provide a space for people to try and experience, finding out whether they like them without any prejudice," he said.

Liu Ting-chih took his daughter to the shop, who looked curiously at the animals in their cages.

"Through this activity she can learn how to take care of small animals and cherish them," Liu said.

Sub-tropical and mountainous Taiwan is home to some 60 native snake species.