Diriyah’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace set to bring to life the birthplace of the modern Saudi state

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Updated 30 November 2022
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Diriyah’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace set to bring to life the birthplace of the modern Saudi state

  • Opening season of the two developments will include a vibrant public program of events, performances, and activities for all visitors
  • Visitors to UNESCO World Heritage site At-Turaif will get a chance to savor Bujairi Terrace’s eagerly awaited culinary district

RIYADH: The first phase of an aspirational project conceived five years ago, with the aim of showcasing the history of the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has come to fruition according to plan.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace developments were officially unveiled on Monday at a gala event during the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit.

Delegates from around the globe, Saudi public figures and DGDA staff joined together to witness a momentous development as Diriyah opened its doors to the international community.




Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb inaugurates the historic At- Turaif and Bujairi neighborhoods with a dramatic ceremony witnessed by guests from around the world. (DGDA)

“Tonight is a very historic night,” Jerry Inzerillo, the CEO of DGDA, told Arab News. “We are celebrating two big milestones.

“For the first time in the history of the Gulf, the Kingdom is welcoming the World Travel and Tourism Council, all the ministers of tourism, CEOs of hotel companies, CEOs of airline companies — it’s 5,000 people coming to the Kingdom to see what’s going to be one of the great tourism countries in the world.”

Inzerillo described what it means to him, personally, to see the fruit of the labor of his team in Diriyah on display before the eyes of the world.

“It makes my heart pound because the thing that I am most proud about is that we are 1,600 staff now: 85 percent Saudi, 36 percent Saudi superstar women, 16 percent of which are in management, and 14 percent of our staff is from Diriyah. My heart and soul are my team and that’s the thing that I am most proud about,” Inzerillo said.

Prudence Solomon Inzerillo, Inzerillo’s wife, said: “I think the changes are profound and I think the whole devotion and commitment to celebrating culture, heritage, history art … I think it’s such an incredible gift, it’s really important.

“I think that everyone should appreciate the history and the culture that you have. It’s so rich and diverse and I think that it is a real privilege and a pleasure to be here to witness the changes that have happened over the last four-plus years that we’ve been here and it’s extraordinary.”

The festivities began at the birthplace of the Kingdom, and the first ruling base of the Al-Saud family, the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. In front of Salwa Palace, a 10,000 square meter complex the original parts of which were built by Mohammed ibn Saud, the first ruler of the First Saudi State, tour guides stood waiting to show visitors around the site, moving along walkways once trodden by early Saudi rulers.




“Tonight is a very historic night,” Jerry Inzerillo, the CEO of DGDA, told Arab News. (DGDA)

Every handmade mud brick in the ancient buildings of At-Turaif has a story to tell, every wall holds the secrets of power struggles, and every corner conceals a tale of hospitality and unity.

The visitors from around the world saw not only the modernity and luxury of the present-day Kingdom but were able to take a step back in time as they watched live performances of traditional ardah dance and walked narrow pathways that paint an atmospheric picture of the Kingdom’s past.

The guests at this private event that marked the official opening of Bujairi and At-Turaif represented a diverse assemblage of visitors from numerous countries

Guadalupe Galvan Hernandez, for example, was visiting from Mexico City to attend the World Travel and Tourism Council summit.

“This is my first time in Saudi Arabia,” she told Arab News. “I have seen many things. Diriyah is amazing; it is all history. When we arrived we saw so many structures and it’s a blend of modernity and traditions.

FASTFACTS

• At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace will open their doors to the public on Dec. 4. 

• The Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council is taking place for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

• At-Turaif will offer 75-minute guided walking tours in both Arabic and English that will take visitors through the original seal of power of the Al-Saudi family.

“The people are very kind, they are very nice people. Sometimes when you come from a country like Mexico it’s hard to understand some things and it makes you fear, somehow, the way you will be treated and they (the Saudis) were really, really kind and nice people.”

Following the tours of At-Turaif and the performances there, the guests made their way to the gates of Bujairi Terrace, where Inzerillo and Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb gave inaugural speeches. Inzerillo began by praising the Saudi leadership.

“I want to praise and give thanks to our dynamic prime minister, our Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been instrumental in every single detail of the Vision 2030 master plan for Diriyah,” he said.

“And thanks to his support we are one of the giga projects that tonight — on this historic night, in the birthplace of the Kingdom, the birthplace of the Arabian Peninsula, the ancestral house of Al-Saud — we open assets of 2030 in 2022.”




Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace developments were officially unveiled on Monday. (DGDA)

Al-Khateeb said: “Today we are celebrating the opening of phase one, (which is) just 1 to 2 percent of the total project, and we thank you for being with us today.

“This is a testimony and proof that Saudi Arabia started its planning and now we are in the execution phase and you will see an opening in all of the giga projects every year. Diriyah is a good example, with the opening of Bujairi Terrace.”

Many DGDA employees could not hide their emotions as the doors of Buajiri Terrace opened to welcome the world.

Among the guests at the inauguration was Helena Zakade Inzerillo, the teenage daughter of the DGDA CEO. In 2019, at the age of 12, she spoke to Arab News during King Salman’s inauguration of the Diriyah Gate project and told how proud she was of her father and his mission to transform the city “with his heart and soul.”

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Three years later, she was delighted to be at Bujairi Terrace to see her father’s passion and ambitions come to life.

“When I first came four years ago and saw Diriyah I was absolutely in shock,” she said. “I mean, this is an absolutely beautiful place that nobody really knew about outside of the Kingdom.

“I really believe that people should be seeing this place, people should know about this place and the significance of it.

“To see it come to this, to see the success, to see so many people come from around the world, and to see people’s perspectives completely change upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, and seeing the hospitality of the people here and seeing the significance of our country here, it means so much to me.”




Diriyah has long been renowned for its hospitality and generosity, its strength and its power — now it opens its gates to the world. (DGDA)

Helena said she truly believes in her father’s mission to spread to the world the message and meaning of Diriyah and its importance to the Kingdom.

“This means so much to me, to my family as a whole,” she added. “We have seen the process over the past four years, the amount of hard work, the tireless hours of my dad’s work for the past four years here in Saudi.

“And we have seen the transformation of Riyadh, of Diriyah, and the passion of the place that my dad has spread and how much he loves this place.”

The scent of bukhour filled the air and the sounds of ardha music echoed through Wadi Hanifah as history and modernity merged in the form of the many luxury dining experiences. Following a gala dinner in Bujairi Terrace, a light show illuminated the pathways and walls of At-Turaif.

The laser and firework display lit up the Najdi architecture of Salwa Palace, and the sky above it, with the words “The city of the earth,” “Only one Diriyah,” and simply “Diriyah.”

“As a 2030 giga project, we are already opening assets in 2022,” Inzerillo said. “So Turaif, all redone; Bujairi district, 20 new restaurants and after tonight we will take a few days and open to the public in a few days; 2 km of the Wadi Hanifah; new sales centers; welcome centers; community centers. So 2030 is now 2022.”




Visitors to the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit enjoy a taste of traditional Saudi hospitality in the Kingdom’s birthplace. (DGDA)

At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace will officially open to the public on Dec. 4, and Inzerello outlined what is next in store.

“After tonight we are going to open up a lot of assets,” he said. “We have the first hotels under construction that will open next year, the first museums that will open next year, we have already planted 6 million trees on our way to 50 million trees, plants and bushes.

“Every year now we will open assets, we will ground-break assets and we will announce assets every year until 2030.”

Diriyah has long been renowned for its hospitality and generosity, its strength and its power — now it opens its gates to the world to give visitors a taste of the past and a glimpse of the future.


Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. (AN photos
Updated 6 sec ago
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Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

  • ‘I think Canada can learn a lot,’ says Janice Stein in call for partnership, shared learning

RIYADH: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, has praised the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation and its growing role in artificial intelligence and education.

During a two-day visit, Stein met officials from government, academia, and the private sector, and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s regional role while noting that much can be learned from Saudi Data and AI Authority’s initiatives.

“We went to universities, think tanks, and government ministries that work in education and artificial intelligence,” said Stein, Belzberg professor of conflict management. She added: “I think Canada can learn a lot.”

Stein noted that officials at the SDAIA had explained that the Kingdom will have a K-12 AI education strategy “in which students from grade three onward will start to learn about artificial intelligence and engage with it.”

She told Arab News: “Well, we are not there in Canada, and depending on how SDAIA measures and tracks its results, I think Canada can learn from the experiment SDAIA is running.”

Stein added that the future project led by SDAIA had not yet been implemented in Saudi Arabia, but much could be learned from its research and rollout.

“There is a sense that things are moving quickly and that will be foundational to the role Saudi Arabia will play in the future,” she said.

Stein also discussed the traditional educational cooperation model between Saudi Arabia and Canada, which has mainly involved Saudi students going abroad to study.

She said: “I think that will remain, but that is the old model.”

Looking to the present, Stein said she was interested in sharing and learning from the “very large experiment that Saudi society is now running.”

She stressed that the goal was in partnership and not encouraging Saudis to leave the Kingdom, adding: “Saudi Arabia is playing a leading role in the Gulf; I think all Saudis know that.”

She said that Saudi Arabia had the weight and urgency to lead, and that what it needed was a clear focus and annual measurement to benchmark the country’s progress against others.

“As a long-time student of the Middle East, my strong sense is that the Gulf is growing in strategic importance, things are moving, and the pace of change is accelerating,” she said.

“I thought, what a wonderful time to find an institutional partner here.”

Stein stressed how impressed she was by the “sense of urgency” in Saudi Arabia’s developmental efforts.

She said that in her conversations she had been struck by the strong focus on results and the awareness that time is limited, describing the urgency as “really, really impressive.”

Stein also noted the clear changes that women are undergoing, saying that it was encouraging to see women working at the airport on her arrival.

She underlined that as women’s roles start to change in society, that society itself begins to change.

Stein said that Saudi people understood the “rapid pace of global change and the need to act quickly — something often missing in more established societies.”

She added: “I think we all need that sense of urgency.”


Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

Updated 12 min 32 sec ago
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Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

  • Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy to work together, share knowledge
  • Hakan Fidan praises increasing momentum of Turkiye-Saudi relations

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has met his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Riyadh to discuss recent regional developments.

The ministers co-chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council on Sunday, a key diplomatic forum aimed at strengthening political, economic, and strategic exchanges between Ankara and Riyadh.

Officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji and his Turkish counterpart Nuh Yilmaz signed a memorandum of understanding between diplomatic centers affiliated with their respective ministries.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy are to work together to improve collaboration and share knowledge, a statement said.

Fidan praised the increasing momentum of Turkish-Saudi relations, attributing it to the “vision put forward by our leaders,” reported the Anadolu Agency.

He added: “Turkish-Saudi relations, shaped by historical and human ties, have proven their strength and resilience in the face of challenges and difficulties.”

The first meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council, which was established during the visit of King Salman to Turkiye in 2016, took place in Ankara in February 2017.

Several senior Saudi and Turkish officials attended Sunday’s meeting, including the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.


Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Diriyah Sales Center.
Updated 16 min 16 sec ago
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Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

  • New 40,000 sq. meter cultural landmark is backed by Misk Foundation

RIYADH: Construction on Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum, officially began in Diriyah on Sunday, marking a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s cultural development and coinciding with the celebration of International Museum Day.

The groundbreaking ceremony at Diriyah Sales Center was attended by senior representatives from the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), Diriyah Company, and design partners Zaha Hadid Architects.

Cultural institutions were also present in a show of support for the museum’s mission.

Spanning 40,000 sq. meters, the museum is envisioned as a living institution that reflects Saudi identity through immersive exhibitions and cultural experiences.

It will highlight traditional arts, crafts, oral histories, and social customs in a space designed to bring Saudi heritage to life.

In a statement to Arab News, Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of Asaan, said the architectural vision for the project was rooted in a deep cultural responsibility.

“The vision was to preserve and pass on Saudi heritage from generation to generation,” Al-Saqer said. “With the rapid advancements in technology, we wanted to make sure there is no gap between current and future generations and their connection to their historical roots.

“At Asaan, we are developing heritage in a new way — one that bridges this gap and ensures our cultural legacy is protected and passed forward.”

He emphasized that Asaan is not just about preserving artifacts, but about inspiring deeper engagement with Saudi heritage.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the museum draws inspiration from traditional Najdi design, combining organic forms with modern lines to reflect the authenticity and evolution of Saudi architecture.

The structure itself is intended to be a cultural statement, rooted in local tradition yet open to global dialogue.

The museum will feature a conservation lab to support the restoration and preservation of heritage artifacts.

It will serve as a center for knowledge exchange and training, preparing future generations of Saudi museum professionals.

Asaan is part of the Misk Foundation’s broader mission to promote creativity, heritage appreciation, and knowledge sharing through platforms that empower Saudi youth and cultural institutions.


Saudi Arabia launches new production hub in Riyadh

The Saudi Film Commission has unveiled Jax Film Studios, a new production complex in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches new production hub in Riyadh

  • Scheduled for completion later this year, the studio spans more than 7,000 sq. meters
  • The complex also includes a private cinema, meeting rooms, production prep areas, dining spaces, and a VIP lounge

RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has unveiled Jax Film Studios, a new production complex in Riyadh, marking a step forward in the Kingdom’s efforts to develop a connected and competitive film and media industry.

Scheduled for completion later this year, the studio spans more than 7,000 sq. meters and features two soundstages of 1,500 sq. meters, along with a virtual production stage using Sony’s latest screen technology.

The complex also includes a private cinema, meeting rooms, production prep areas, dining spaces, and a VIP lounge — designed to accommodate a range of needs, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The facility provides convenient access to hotels, the international airport, restaurants, and a growing network of creative and technical professionals.

Filmmakers can find local crews, equipment, and post-production services to support their projects, all within a 20-minute radius.

Saudi Film Commission’s CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “Jax Film Studios represents a cornerstone of our strategy to develop a world-class film infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

“As we become one of the region’s premier production hubs, this facility is built to meet the highest international standards — empowering local creatives while attracting global talent.”

Abduljalil Alnasser, the commission’s general manager of sector development and investment attraction, said: “With Jax Film Studios we are introducing one of the world’s most advanced and largest virtual production stages, powered by Sony’s latest innovations, unlocking limitless creative possibilities.”


Saudi Arabia showcases digital progress at Osaka expo 

Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia showcases digital progress at Osaka expo 

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority revealed the Kingdom’s progress in digital transformation and smart city development during its participation in Saudi events at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The authority outlined national efforts to adopt data and artificial intelligence technologies to improve service efficiency and support sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Mishari Almishari, deputy director of the authority’s National Information Center, said that Saudi Arabia was steadily moving toward a more integrated digital society under Vision 2030, which identified digital transformation as a key development goal.

He noted that the authority’s establishment in 2019 marked a significant step, coordinating efforts through three main entities: the National Information Center, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, and the National Data Management Office.

The authority plays a central role in data and AI regulation and development, according to Almishari, contributing to the Kingdom’s growing position in data and AI-based innovation.

He also highlighted support for smart city systems through projects like the National Smart C Platform, the Smart Riyadh Operations Center, and initiatives promoting innovation, such as training camps, incubators, accelerators, and national hackathons.

The authority’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects Saudi Arabia’s aim to contribute to global AI development and build a more inclusive digital future.