World premiere of ‘Nine Songs’ fills AlUla with excitement

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Updated 27 November 2022
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World premiere of ‘Nine Songs’ fills AlUla with excitement

ALULA: Every seat occupied beneath the vast AlUla sky at the outdoor Wadi AlFann was filled with anticipation and excitement to witness the world premiere of “Nine Songs” on Saturday night.

For two nights only, ending Nov. 27, the vision of artist Rui Fu, and co-artistic director and producer, Farooq Chaudhry, morphed from Mother Nature into life. The audience received a full sensory experience, surrounded by a carefully-curated, modern and inventive interpretation unfurling before them.

The title of the work was inspired by a collection of poems from the ancient Chinese “Songs of Chu,” dated to 300 B.C. The location for the theatrical music performance was fitting, as the ancient landscape of AlUla was incorporated into the visual elements of the show.




Chinese American singer-songwriter Rui Fu. (Huda Bashatah)

Fu blended the sounds of the wind with her own voice and instruments, such as the Chinese dulcimer, Japanese taiko drums, violins, and harps.

The Chinese American singer-songwriter specializes in improvisational singing and composing, and was inspired by traditional Chinese classical aesthetics as well as Chinese ethnic music traditions.

The audience on opening night was a mix of Saudis and non-Saudis, who filled the site, inspired by the natural landscape of AlUla and its geological structures, with light sky, and fairy-lit candles leading them along a steady pathway atop the sand.

Fu did not want the audience to be restricted by the lyrics, wishing to free people of linguistic hurdles that might arise.




Chinese American singer-songwriter Rui Fu. (Huda Bashatah)

Any speaker of any language could follow the story, with the sounds and movements their own form of communication, connecting the sky to the ground and to everything in between. Certain sections of the show blended ancient Chinese, recited in different dialects, in addition to Fu adding her own twist.

“The majority of our show is actually in my own improvised language, and I find that very helpful because it helps us to focus on the emotional essence of the melodies more, without being restricted by cultural barriers, and also language restrictions and limitations and having to figure out what it means and how to say it in order to interact with the musicians,” Fu told Arab News.

“I believe that will be a way to help us all present the music with more passion, with more intuition, and the audience will understand it as well, because it’s not supposed to be a language that you’re supposed to understand intellectually — it is supposed to be a language that you feel, along with the music,” she said.

“This is a humongous, interesting, and diverse blend of cultures. And it’s been a very rewarding challenge to see how we can bring together different perspectives — different ways of interpreting the same story from different angles — so that I believe all of us feel that we’ve expanded who we are as artists and as people as a result of this project,” Fu added.




Chinese American singer-songwriter Rui Fu. (Huda Bashatah)

Jocelyn Pook, the music director and co-composer of this project, told Arab News that it was a thrill to work on “Nine Songs” because of the eclectic group of musicians from all over the world that joined in, as well as the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, of different Chinese and Western instruments, and AlUla.

“We’ve been devising the music together as a group, and it's been a very unusual process and kind of challenging, actually,” Pook told Arab News.

“We’ve got a Chinese dulcimer and a guqin and (an) extraordinary sort of array of percussion taiko drums, and a double bass, (an) extraordinary virtuoso violinist, Preetha, and harps — two harps — (a) Celtic and a gothic harp. It’s created this incredible landscape in the music, and I think it’s quite varied. And of course, Rui, with her extraordinary singing and range of vocal singing, which is sometimes very playful, sometimes quite traditional,” Pook added.

Spearheaded by the Royal Commission for AlUla, Fu was able to invite musicians from around the world from different cultures. There are two Chinese instrumentalists and collaborators from Japan, the UK, India, and the US.

“Nine Songs” is the inaugural activity of the Wadi AlFann’s season-opening, with temporary exhibitions, artist residencies, and symposiums planned. Five new commissioned artworks are due for completion in 2024.

Visit the AlUla and Wadi AlFann websites for more details.


Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received in Riyadh on Wednesday former US President Bill Clinton. 

A friendly conversation took place during the reception held at the crown prince’s office.

The reception was also attended by Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America; Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban and the delegation accompanying the former US President. 


British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek

Updated 7 min 34 sec ago
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British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek

RIYADH:  British explorer and television presenter Alice Morrison, who is embarking on a historic adventure to cross the Kingdom on foot from the far north to the far south, has arrived in AlUla.

This leg of the trip marks the halfway point of the first phase of her five-month journey, which began on Jan. 1, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

She will travel 2,500 km with local guides and camels, traversing the Kingdom’s vast deserts, lush oases and towering mountains.

During her trip, Morrison visited AlUla Old Town, toured its historic alleys and explored its time-honored stories, the SPA reported.

She expressed her deep admiration for AlUla’s charm, describing it as an exceptional place that combines nature with ancient history, making it one of the world’s most important destinations for discovery.

Morrison said that she enjoyed acquiring various handicraft items that reflect Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, according to the SPA.

Local crafts embody the creativity of artisans and represent the authenticity of Saudi culture, she added.


Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030

Updated 29 January 2025
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Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030

  • Officials talk culture, investment ahead of Japan’s Expo 2025
  • Osaka seeks Saudi support, Hiromi Fuchikami tells Arab News

DUBAI: A recent trip to Riyadh by members of the Osaka City Council highlighted opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration between Japan and Saudi Arabia as both nations prepare for their respective World Expositions.

With Expo 2025 in Osaka and Expo 2030 in Riyadh, discussions focused on knowledge-sharing, mutual growth and leveraging soft power to foster international ties.

Hiromi Fuchikami, a member of the Osaka City Council and the Special Committee for Expo 2025, emphasized the significance of fostering human connections through these global events.

Speaking about the visit, she told Arab News Japan it was the “perfect” time to “build a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Japan at the local level, going beyond governmental collaborations to foster meaningful exchanges.”

Expo 2025 in Osaka is designed to be a “compact city of the future,” showcasing sustainable living solutions and efficient urban planning.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for Expo 2030, by contrast, aim to redefine the Middle East as a global hub for innovation and culture, with Riyadh on its way to establishing itself as a world leader in hosting mega events.

Both nations recognize the importance of cultural diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions, which collaborates with Japanese creators, represents a successful model of cross-cultural innovation, she said.

“Saudi Arabia’s embrace of Japanese culture, including anime, is a testament to the power of soft diplomacy,” Fuchikami said. “Osaka, as the host of Expo 2025, can use this shared passion to foster new creative collaborations that benefit both nations.”

Fuchikami acknowledged several challenges including the absence of a Saudi Arabia regional office in Osaka, which she believes could strengthen investment opportunities and attract more foreign interest in the city.

She also called for greater representation of Osaka-specific industries, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are vital to Japan’s economy but often overshadowed by Tokyo-based firms.

Despite these obstacles, Fuchikami expressed optimism about the potential for collaboration, especially as Saudi Arabia marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan this year.

Events celebrating this milestone include cultural showcases and anime-themed initiatives.

Fuchikami expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver an impactful Expo 2030 despite the tight timeline. “The Saudi leadership’s determination to position Riyadh as a global hub is clear through Expo 2030.”


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools

Updated 29 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed supplies to educational facilities in Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

KSrelief’s support included chairs, computers and office furniture for 10 literacy schools and nine centers for people with disabilities in Yemen’s Hadhramaut governorate.

The project aims to provide quality and sustainable educational opportunities for communities in the governorates of Aden, Hadhramaut, Dhale, Lahj, Shabwa and Al-Mahra.

A total of 9,747 people will benefit from the initiative, including 6,527 people with special needs, 2,389 illiterate students, and 831 staff at the targeted centers and schools.

The initiative is a part of ongoing projects provided by Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to address the challenges facing Yemeni educational institutions that are providing literacy programs and support for children with disabilities.

Separately, KSrelief hosted an event at Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians to mark International Day of Education, which included various competitions and drawing exercises.

The initiative is a part of KSrelief’s educational awareness programs in the camp.


KSrelief continues aid work across Middle East

The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's humanitarian and relief efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering. (SPA)
Updated 29 January 2025
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KSrelief continues aid work across Middle East

  • The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's projects aimed at ensuring food security

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to provide support for vulnerable communities across the Middle East, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Food was sent to 187 families in Yemen’s Al-Dhale governorate, benefiting 1,309 people.

In Syria’s Al-Rastan city aid was sent to 48 families, benefitting 255 people, including bags of flour, winter kits, and personal care items.

The Kingdom also sent 125 tonnes of dates to Jordan, for distribution across various provinces and regions, starting from the Al-Qastal area south of the capital, Amman.

The aid was presented by Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi to Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court Yousef Issawi.

And 800 cartons of dates were delivered to families in Sudan’s Wad Madani locality of Gezira state, benefiting 5,111 people.