'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival
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'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

'Saudi, Welcome to Arabia' Partners with the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has signed a partnership with "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia", the official destination brand of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA).
Marking its debut as a major event sponsor, "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" will lend its support to the fourth edition of the festival, which runs from December 5 to 14, 2024, in Al Balad, in historic Jeddah, the vibrant new venue, SPA reported.

The sponsorship will help raise even further Jeddah's status as a premier global cultural and cinematic destination by the Saudi Red Sea.
According to a press release issued by RSIFF, "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" recognizes the power of film in driving tourism, and celebrates filmmakers and storytellers who bring Saudi's beauty and culture to life.
STA's sponsoring of RSIFF underscores its commitment to supporting high-quality events that showcase Saudi Arabia's diverse destinations, iconic landmarks, unique experiences, and renowned, warm Saudi hospitality when welcoming visitors in the heart of Arabia.
Red Sea International Film Festival Managing Director Shivani Pandya Malhotra welcomed the partnership and said: "We are delighted to partner with "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia" for this year's festival. Their support will prove invaluable in helping us bring international attention to the vibrant Saudi film scene and the unique cultural experiences our country has to offer."
According to the release, the partnership highlights the Kingdom's emergence as a premier winter sun destination, driven by the success of its global campaign "Where Winter Lights Up", the second phase of the cinematic "This Land is Calling" series.
The campaign invites travelers to discover the warmth and wonders of Saudi's Winter Season, spotlighting destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and the Saudi Red Sea. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in a packed year-round events calendar featuring global highlights like Riyadh Season, the AlUla Festival, Jeddah Calendar, Diriyah Season, the Dakar Rally, Spanish and Italian Super Cups, and Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The fourth edition of RSIFF, themed "The New Home of Film", draws inspiration from its new location in the heart of cultural Jeddah, Al Balad. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Al Balad stands as testament to Saudi's rich cultural tapestry and diverse heritage, aligning with the ambitions of "Saudi, Welcome to Arabia".



Spain's Christmas Lottery Spreads Cash and Seasonal Joy to Winners

Reuters
Reuters
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Spain's Christmas Lottery Spreads Cash and Seasonal Joy to Winners

Reuters
Reuters

Players with winning tickets in Spain's huge Christmas lottery draw on Sunday celebrated with sparkling wine, cheers and hugs in a 200-year-old tradition that marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
The total prize pot in the state-run National Lottery event reached 2.71 billion euros ($2.83 billion) this year, slightly more than last year's 2.59 billion euros.
The top prize, known as "El Gordo" (The Fat One), was won in the northern city of Logrono, capital of La Rioja region that is famed for its wines.
In the nationally televised draw at Madrid's Teatro Real, young pupils from San Ildefonso school picked the winning numbers from two revolving globes and sang them out.
The audience, who had queued for hours to enter, wore Santa hats, regional costumes and their personal lucky charms.
"I'd like the lottery to go to Valencia. Honestly, I think it should go to the affected areas. We'd like that very much," said 25-year-old Vicent Jacinto, dressed in a traditional Valencian fallas suit and referring to deadly floods that struck the region in October.
Lottery mania hits Spain in the weeks leading up to the Christmas lottery. Relatives, co-workers, groups of friends and club members frequently buy tickets or fractions of them together, often favoring particular "lucky" vendors or numbers.
The most common ticket costs 20 euros, offering up to 400,000 euros in prize money, before taxes.
The lottery tradition dates back to 1812, when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the draw aimed to raise funds to fight for independence.
These days, proceeds after operating costs and payouts are given to social causes.