Work begins on Al-Urubah Park in Riyadh

Al-Urubah Park will attempt to enhance quality of life by providing recreational spaces for residents and visitors. (SPA)
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Updated 10 March 2024
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Work begins on Al-Urubah Park in Riyadh

  • More than 600,000 trees and shrubs will be planted, covering 65 percent of the park’s area

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced on Sunday that construction work had started on Al-Urubah Park, which will span 754,000 square meters.

The park’s location, at the intersection of Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Road and Al-Urubah Road, will enable easy access from all parts of the city.

Al-Urubah Park will attempt to enhance quality of life by providing recreational spaces for residents and visitors, contributing to making Riyadh one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

This initiative is part of the Green Riyadh Project, one of the world’s most ambitious urban afforestation schemes, which aims to plant 7.5 million trees and increase vegetation cover to 9 percent of the city’s area.

The park will feature a 3 km panoramic path and a viewpoint showcasing the city’s landmarks. More than 600,000 trees and shrubs will be planted, covering 65 percent of the park’s area. Sports facilities throughout the park will cater to different age groups.

The design also incorporates modern technologies to showcase natural elements, offering visitors an interactive experience through augmented reality.

The unique garden design to international specifications was selected from among several ideas submitted by six contestants. The winning design concept achieves sustainability and conforms to environmental standards.

The Green Riyadh Project focuses on planting in residential neighborhoods, gardens, mosques, schools, government and public buildings, and parking spaces. In addition, a water network covering some 1,350 km is being created.

 


Education Ministry to showcase 134 inventions at Geneva exhibition

Updated 06 April 2025
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Education Ministry to showcase 134 inventions at Geneva exhibition

  • Young minds from schools and universities to compete for seven major awards

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education is to participate in the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, which is scheduled to take place from April 9 to 13.

The event will showcase 134 scientific inventions from Saudi Arabia, alongside more than 1,000 inventions from 35 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia’s delegation will consist of representatives from universities and companies, and individual inventors and private-sector researchers, the SPA added.

Students from general education, universities, and technical training institutions, along with faculty members and inventors from around the world, will compete for seven major awards presented at the exhibition.

The inventions span a wide range of fields, including marine safety and technology, environmental technology and energy efficiency, nanotechnology and materials science, and security and biometric technology.

They also feature healthcare and medical devices, robotics and electromagnetic technology, transportation and infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.

Deputy Minister for International Cooperation Nasser Al-Aqili emphasized that the ministry’s participation reflected its commitment to supporting and nurturing students.

Al-Aqili, who is also the head of the Saudi delegation, highlighted the importance of increasing student participation in international scientific forums, aligning national priorities with research, development, and innovation.

This effort aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to cultivate globally competitive citizens, according to the SPA.

Al-Aqili also noted the exhibition’s significance as a leading international platform for invention and innovation.


Saudi Arabia ready to host Art Week Riyadh

Updated 05 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia ready to host Art Week Riyadh

  • Held under the theme “At The Edge”, the inaugural edition will unfold across key cultural venues in the capital

RIYADH: The Visual Arts Commission is preparing for the launch of the first-ever Art Week Riyadh, a week-long celebration of Saudi Arabia’s vibrant art scene, which starts on Sunday and runs until April 13, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held under the theme “At The Edge”, the inaugural edition will unfold across key cultural venues in the capital, including the JAX District and the Al-Mousa Center.

The event will bring together leading local, regional, and international galleries, artists, institutions, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

The flagship exhibition will showcase works from more than 45 galleries, exploring cultural dialogues between Saudi Arabia, the wider Middle East, and the global contemporary art landscape.

The exhibition will be curated around three themes — Everyday Life, Landscapes, and Motifs — highlighting the intersection of tradition and innovation in Saudi visual culture.

Al-Mousa Center, now a thriving arts hub, will host over 15 specially curated exhibitions, while the JAX District will also present Collections in Dialogue — a trio of exhibitions developed with leading cultural institutions and private collectors.

In addition to exhibitions, Art Week Riyadh will feature a series of talks and workshops tackling contemporary issues in the visual arts across the Kingdom and beyond.

AAccording to the Visual Arts Commission, the initiative aims to cultivate a dynamic and collaborative art environment, while honoring Saudi Arabia’s artistic heritage and its evolving creative future.


‘Bahr’ play brings maritime heritage to Baha in Theater Tour initiative

Updated 06 April 2025
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‘Bahr’ play brings maritime heritage to Baha in Theater Tour initiative

  • Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the event attracted a large audience for the award-winning play “Bahr” (Sea)

RIYADH: The three-day Theater Tour initiative ended on Saturday at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Theater in Baha, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the event attracted a large audience for the award-winning play “Bahr” (Sea).

Inspired by maritime heritage, “Bahr” explores the traditions of sailors’ lives, particularly diving and pearl hunting.

The production is part of the commission’s strategy to promote culture across the Kingdom, according to the SPA.

Nasser Al-Qasabi, chairman of the commission, thanked the governor of Baha for supporting the initiative and providing the resources for its launch in the region.

The Theater Tour initiative brings exceptional performances to cities, governorates and villages throughout the Kingdom. The first phase features “Bahr,” running from April 3 to May 3.

The production debuted in Baha from April 3-5. It now moves to Jubail from April 17-19, Dammam from April 24-26 and concludes in Al-Ahsa from May 1-3.

The project aims to raise awareness of theater, increase access to cultural services in underserved areas and support local theater groups.

Written by Abdulrahman Al-Marikhi and directed by Sultan Al-Nawa, “Bahr” has won several awards, including best actor, best script and best overall production at the Riyadh Theater Festival, as well as best musical effects and best director at the 19th Gulf Theater Festival.


Saudi governor of Digital Government Authority met Rwandan minister

Updated 06 April 2025
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Saudi governor of Digital Government Authority met Rwandan minister

Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, recently met with Paula Ingabire, Rwandan minister of information and communications technology and innovation, at the Global AI Summit on Africa.

During their meeting, they discussed the Riyadh AI Declaration, ways to foster growth in the digital economy, and approaches to strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Rwanda, the organization wrote in a post on X.

The governor also met with Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel George, and discussed opportunities for cooperation in harnessing AI technologies in digital government.


New initiative turns road trips into cultural journeys

Updated 05 April 2025
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New initiative turns road trips into cultural journeys

  • Signage across highways introduces travelers to the Kingdom’s diverse traditional crafts, arts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Roads General Authority and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts — also known as Wrth — have launched an initiative called Wrth Saudi, which features signage on highways across the Kingdom marking significant locations connected with national crafts.

This initiative comes in what has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia. The first phase of Wrth Saudi will cover three highways: the Riyadh-Dammam Highway, the Makkah-Madinah Highway, and the Riyadh–Qassim Expressway, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Subsequent phases will extend the initiative to other vital roads throughout the country, the SPA added.

Wrth Saudi will showcase traditional regional arts such as Najdi door craftsmanship, mud construction, carpentry, wood carvings, and bisht making.

“Saudi Arabia’s vast road network, the largest in the world in terms of connectivity, serves as a platform to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and showcase its crafts,” the SPA reported.

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a key role in promoting Saudi traditional arts locally and internationally, supporting local artisans, and encouraging the teaching and development of these crafts.

Earlier this year, the institute also launched the Wrth Community program to raise awareness of Saudi traditional arts and cultural heritage while “empowering individuals to learn and develop these crafts locally and globally.”

The program featured discussion sessions with academics, artisans, trainers, and entrepreneurs, along with workshops. Activities focused on four key materials used in Saudi traditional arts: stone, wood, ceramics, and metals.

The Ministry of Culture designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to “solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life,” according to the SPA.

Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Culture will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.