Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year – set against a historic landscape – as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present and future. (Walid Nassrallah/Roberto Conte, Courtesy of Designlab Experience)
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Updated 19 March 2025
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Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

RIYADH: Layali Diriyah returns for a fourth year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present and future.

The event, from February to April, focuses on three themes: heritage and craftsmanship; education and knowledge; and nature.

More than just a cultural event, Layali Diriyah is an immersive journey that blends heritage with artistic legacy. Since its debut in January 2023, it has attracted more than 110,000 visitors. 

Led by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, this initiative highlights the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s founding place. 

The retreat combines gastronomy, retail, art and entertainment on a picturesque palm tree farm near At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Visitors can take a culinary journey featuring nine restaurants, a retail village, and five stages presenting predominantly local talent.

A standout feature this year is the Chef’s Table, where high-profile chefs present live cooking demonstrations for groups of up to 23 guests. Each restaurant offers distinct themes, ranging from circular pods nestled among trees for privacy to mudbrick-inspired grilling stations, enhancing the dining experience with cultural resonance.

Installations by local and international artists play a central role in Layali Diriyah. Khulod Albugami’s “Lahauj,” inspired by Najdi architectural windows, symbolizes a bridge between past and present. Dr. Saad Al-Huwaidi’s “Three Golden Stages” narrates the evolution of Saudi identity through the use of “Qitan,” a material from traditional garments representing pivotal moments in the country’s history. 

Hibah Albakree, managing partner and co-founder of Designlab Experience, expressed her excitement about the event. “One of the things that is really nice about Layali Diriyah is the familiarity of the guest journey. Each year, it repeats, giving guests a sense of comfort. If you have to turn left instead of right, people might wonder why it’s different. This familiarity is the anchor of the project.”

As guests navigate the event, they encounter an enchanting display of lights. “Layali is always about lights,” Albakree said.

This year, the lighting has evolved significantly. “In the first year, we used vibrant flowers to create a blooming effect. The second year (we) elevated the lights to highlight the palm trees. This year, we are using oversized lighting elements inspired by local flora, such as palm trees,” she said.

The art installations are not merely decorative, they tell stories deeply woven into Saudi culture. For instance, Zahara Alghamdi’s “Birth of a Place” is an elegy to Diriyah’s ancestral foundations through sculptural clay forms that symbolize cycles of destruction and rebirth.

Minzal, another project developed by Designlab Experience in Diriyah, which lasted until Feb. 22, complements Layali Diriyah. Set in the historic birthplace of Saudi Arabia, Minzal offers an innovative cultural retreat that harmonizes with the rugged landscape. It features diverse experiences such as stargazing, horseriding, live performances, and luxury glamping, all while integrating Saudi heritage.

Yvonne Hoffzimmer, chief operating officer of Designlab Experience, said: “We have three distinct areas: glamping, interactive workshops, and hospitality. It’s a casual, relaxed outdoor experience, allowing guests to spend several hours enjoying the atmosphere. While Layali is typically a shorter experience, Minzal invites guests to immerse themselves fully.”

Minzal has areas for glamping and stargazing, while Birwaz is a vibrant community space for cultural and commercial activities, featuring workshops, food kiosks, and performance zones. 

“The architectural language employs mud-textured finishes and colorful geometries, creating a tactile narrative of the region's legacy,” Hoffzimmer said.

Almashab invites social interaction around a central bonfire, with shisha lounges and tensile structures, providing a space for guests to gather and unwind. The stargazing station features intimate pods designed for celestial exploration, allowing visitors to enjoy astronomy sessions while savoring Saudi coffee.

Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal are more than mere festivals, they are celebrations of Saudi identity, innovation and art, presenting the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry while paving the way for future artistic endeavors.


Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The pair discussed bilateral relations, ways to boost cooperation in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments.

Saudi and Pakistani senior officials attended the meeting. 


Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, in addition to efforts to halt attacks and protect civilians.

Macron commended the Kingdom's role in the US-Russian dialogue and the talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The pair also tackled issues of mutual interest.


Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Saudi Press Agency said.

They discussed during the call developments in the Gaza Strip and their security and political repercussions. 

Starmer praised the Kingdom's pivotal role in hosting the US-Russia dialogue in Jeddah.

The pair reviewed efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

They also discussed ways of enhancing cooperation.


Saudis tap into Ramadan’s transformative power

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudis tap into Ramadan’s transformative power

  • Many Muslims find that the self-discipline learned during this time leads to lasting changes

RIYADH: Ramadan, for many people, is an exceptional opportunity to practice self-discipline. Some people focus on personal growth while others learn new habits or adopt healthy lifestyles.

Fasting, as one example, involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise until sunset, teaching people to control their desires.

The shift in eating patterns allows Muslims to consume mindfully, gaining an appreciation for food and a greater understanding of the situation of millions of people around the world who lack access to safe food and drinking water.

“It is an excellent time for self-discipline,” Hind Saud told Arab News. “The essence of Ramadan and the practice of fasting is a transforming experience, making you a better person, especially if you’re aiming to develop new habits that require self-control.”

She said that she took advantage of the month of fasting to build positive habits, control her food consumption and her appetite for sweets.

“Last Ramadan, I focused on enhancing my health by cutting caffeine. The long fasting hours encouraged me to incorporate healthier beverages like fresh juices, herbal teas and plenty of water.

“I also wanted to reduce my intake of sugar and artificial sweets, which I typically enjoy in desserts and snacks outside of Ramadan. So, I replaced it with fruits and yogurt as part of my suhoor meal.”

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection. People use this month to deepen their relationship with God through prayers, reading the Qur’an, and giving to charity. It can also be a time to meditate and practice active meditation.

“Self-control in Ramadan is spiritually achieved by freeing oneself for worship and renewing one’s soul and body from the preoccupations in the past months,” said Amira Abdulmohsen, a local from Riyadh.

She added: “It is also achieved by abstaining from distractions such as wasting time on social media and instead using the time to read the Qur’an or memorize some chapters of it. Ramadan is in general a time to cleanse the body of toxins such as smoking.”

Both spiritual reflection and meditation require separating time from hectic schedules and engaging in activities that lift the spirit and help people to manage their time effectively.

For example, many Saudis during this holy month find joy in praying Taraweeh at the masjid. This daily activity creates a sense of responsibility because it must be performed every day at a specific time.

This habit not only encourages individuals to prioritize their spiritual well-being but also raises their sense of accountability toward themselves and their community. It is a great time to bring the neighborhood closer and strengthen their bonds as well.

“Taraweeh prayer strengthens the community’s relationship with each other, while a person strengthens his relationship with neighbors through Ramadan gatherings for iftar meal or through iftar gifts,” Abdulmohsen said.

“Iftar gifts are when I prepare an iftar dish and give some of it to the neighbors minutes before sunset.

“Or, when people have an iftar meal together every day at the local masjid. Some families have a habit of delivering meals to masjids during Ramadan.”

The lessons learned during Ramadan often extend beyond the month itself. Many Muslims find that the self-discipline learned during this time leads to lasting changes.


Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs organizes iftar banquets in 61 countries, benefiting thousands

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs organizes iftar banquets in 61 countries, benefiting thousands

  • Ministry initiative serves iftar meals to 15,000 people in Sudan’s cities and regions
  • Program endorses values of unity and compassion among Muslim societies

RIYADH: Daily iftar banquets organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance during the first half of Ramadan have benefited thousands in 61 countries, including Sudan, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Argentina.

In Sudan, the ministry’s initiative has served iftar meals to 15,000 people across Sudan’s cities and regions and will reach 30,000 people by the end of Ramadan, which concludes in late March.

These banquets are part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Iftar Program, which is being carried out in 61 countries worldwide during Ramadan.

The program endorses unity and compassion among Muslim societies, while strengthening brotherhood and solidarity during Ramadan, a month of worship when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

In Tanzania, 2,000 people have benefited from the iftar program during the first half of Ramadan, with the number expected to reach 4,500 next week, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministry organized iftar banquets in South America, where more than 7,500 people in mosques and centers across Argentina benefited from the program.

This week, the religious attache at the Saudi Embassy in the Philippines organized an iftar meal in Manila, which was attended by several heads of Islamic associations in the country.