The film’s sweeping score was performed concert-style by Armenian State Symphony Orchestra
Updated 09 July 2025
Jasmine Bager
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture was swept into a winter wonderland this week as Disney’s “Frozen” came to life in a dazzling film-in-concert experience.
The two-day live event at Ithra, which concluded with two performances on July 9, featured a full orchestra performing the film’s score live on stage while the original movie plays on a screen with dialogue and vocals intact.
The music was played live on stage, resulting in an immersive, multi-sensory experience for audiences of all ages.
A sea of tulle could be seen as young girls in Queen Elsa-inspired ice-blue gowns filled the theater, with long lines forming at a nearby “Frozen”-themed space offering optional printed keepsakes for those who patiently waited.
Arab News spoke with audience member Norah Al-Otaibi and her 5-year-old daughter, Mai, during the 20-minute intermission.
“It’s my third time watching it — the first two times was at home. This is nice but I like watching it at home more because you can turn it on or off whenever you want,” said Mai.
“Here, you have to wait until the song you want comes on. But I like the music and singing part here more, it’s better than the regular screening.”
Mai, who turns 6 soon, attended the concert screening as an early birthday present.
Al-Otaibi, a fan of the film herself, added: “Ithra gave it a nice vibe. It’s definitely not just a regular viewing experience, they elevated it.”
Returning to the podium was Erik Ochsner, considered one of the leading conductors in the film-with-live-orchestra format. He led “The Lion King” in concert at Ithra a few days prior and shared his enthusiasm ahead of the performance.
“Perhaps we’re going to build a snowman together and you must be ready to let it go,” Ochsner told the crowd, hinting at the ever-popular songs “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
“I’m thrilled to be able to share the stage tonight with the wonderful musicians from the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra … you are so fortunate to have such a beautiful center here, Ithra,” he added.
Ochsner conducted the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra under artistic director and principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan.
At Ithra’s “Frozen” concert, the audience sang along to the catchy, now classic songs, from the film.
Released in 2013, “Frozen” was inspired by the 1844 original novel-styled fairytale narrative “The Snow Queen,” written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Arendelle, while a fictional Kingdom, is inspired by the real Norwegian town of Arendal.
It tells a heartwarming story of a newly-crowned young Nordic queen, Elsa, with secret ice-making powers who accidentally freezes everything in her path as her fearless sister, Anna, sets out to save her — and the whole kingdom.
‘I came for football, I stayed for more’: Ronaldo headlines Saudi Tourism’s ‘Unreal Calendar’ campaign
Ronaldo showcases FIFA World Cup 2034, fashion, films and culture
‘This is where the future of sport is being written,’ says football icon
Updated 02 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of a new Saudi Tourism campaign to showcase the Kingdom’s packed events calendar as the country grows into a major sporting and cultural destination for foreign and domestic travelers.
Branded “Unreal Calendar,” the marketing campaign launched on Tuesday features a short video narrated by Ronaldo, who plays for Riyadh’s Al-Nassr.
The 60-second clip shows the football legend enjoying several top sporting events hosted in the Kingdom, mixed with scenes of him playing for Al-Nassr.
The video wraps up with several non-sporting events for visitors to enjoy, including cultural and heritage activities, as Ronaldo declares: “I came for football, I stayed for more.”
The marketing push comes at the start of the Kingdom’s extended season of sports, entertainment, film, fashion and cultural events.
The Saudi Tourism Authority said the campaign will be launched in several key markets in Europe, as well as India and China.
It aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s diverse, year-round sports and entertainment events held across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, with curated packages making it easier to visit.
As hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Esports Olympics Games 2027, Asian Winter Games 2029 among others, Saudi Arabia is bringing sport home.
The Kingdom’s regular calendar has major international events including the Esports World Cup, Formula 1, LIV Golf Riyadh, tennis, and the Saudi Pro League — cementing its position as a hub for largescale events.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: “Today, Saudi is cementing its place as a global destination that combines cultural authenticity, warm hospitality, and the thrill of world-class events.”
“In the tourism sector, we remain steadfast in our commitment to developing a seamless landscape that inspires the world and provides visitors with unforgettable experiences.”
Ronaldo has become the face of sports in the Kingdom since he joined Al-Nassr in 2022 ahead of a flood of big names from top European teams into the Saudi Pro League.
The Portuguese legend, who recently extended his contract to stay in Riyadh until 2027, said: “Being part of Saudi Arabia’s journey as a global sports hub has been truly special and somehow unexpected for me a few years ago.
“Today, the truth is, that from the energy of the fans to the scale of ambition — this is where the future of sport is being written.”
“What I admire most about Saudi is how it honors its roots while building for the future. From camels to horses, racing to esports, from the desert to the stadium — this is a place where every young athlete can dream big.”
The Kingdom is investing to become a global hub for sporting and cultural attractions, as a part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and expand the tourism sector.
It has committed $800 billion to the sector, which is projected to reach $22.4 billion in market value by 2030 and contribute $16.5 billion to gross domestic product by 2030, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “This campaign with CR7 is a showcase of Saudi today, and our ambitions. Tourism is a core component of our vision, and we are continuously expanding our offerings.”
Saudi Arabia’s healthcare push puts AI in the spotlight
Success of AI health tools will depend on patient-centered care and smart adoption, experts say
Updated 01 September 2025
Waad Hussain
ALKHOBAR: As Vision 2030 accelerates Saudi Arabia’s health transformation, experts say success will depend on blending investment, innovation and patient-centered care.
The Kingdom’s healthcare sector is at a crossroads. Rising rates of chronic disease, surging patient numbers, and a shortage of medical professionals are straining capacity.
Billions of riyals are being poured into new hospitals and clinics, but leaders say bricks and mortar alone will not be enough.
Dr. Mansoor Khan, Persivia CEO
Artificial intelligence is increasingly seen as the lever that could ease the burden. Yet experts caution the technology is no silver bullet. Its success depends on how it is deployed.
“Fragmentation of care, resource shortages, and rising costs driven by chronic diseases remain the Kingdom’s biggest challenges,” said Dr. Mansoor Khan, CEO of Persivia, a US-based healthcare AI company that partners with Saudi Arabia providers.
No country has deployed AI at large scale in healthcare yet. Saudi Arabia has the human and financial capital to lead on the global stage.
Dr. Mansoor Khan, Persivia CEO
“AI is not one thing — it’s a set of technologies that need to be used carefully, mapped to specific problems and workflows.”
From the market side, Dr. Gireesh Kumar, associate partner for healthcare advisory at Knight Frank, a global property consultancy with active presence in Riyadh, points to looming capacity gaps.
Dr. Gireesh Kumar, Knight Frank associate partner for healthcare advisory
According to a Knight Frank analysis published in August this year, Riyadh alone will need 4,500 new hospital beds within five years — a SR7 billion ($1.86 billion) investment, 60 percent of it funded by the private sector.
By 2040, the shortfall could climb to 15,300 beds based on global benchmarks.
The strongest use cases for AI are in hospitals. Image recognition, predictive analytics, and workflow automation can help reduce bottlenecks and balance demand across networks.
Dr. Gireesh Kumar, Knight Frank associate partner for healthcare advisory
“The strongest use cases for AI are in hospitals,” Kumar said. “Image recognition, predictive analytics, and workflow automation can help reduce bottlenecks and balance demand across networks.”
Both experts agree predictive AI offers the clearest near-term value. By analyzing patient data, it can identify high-risk individuals and enable early intervention.
Vision 2030 is accelerating the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care. (Supplied)
Globally, organizations adopting predictive tools report up to a 25 percent reduction in operating costs and a 15 to 20 percent decrease in readmissions.
In the US, some networks have cut readmissions by 14.3 percent after deploying AI-driven outpatient management. For Saudi Arabia, where diabetes and cardiovascular conditions dominate, the gains could be transformative.
Still, Khan stressed nuance: “If you are going to risk-stratify a population, that is not a task for generative AI, but for predictive and prescriptive AI. Success equals empathy plus evidence plus workflow fit.”
For Saudi Arabia, where diabetes and cardiovascular conditions dominate, the gains could be transformative. (Supplied)
Telemedicine is another growth engine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingdom’s SEHA Virtual Hospital emerged as a flagship. Today it is the world’s largest virtual hospital, linking more than 150 facilities and serving over 480,000 patients a year.
On the private side, the Saudi Arabia-built Labayh mental health app has reached more than 2 million users with over 70 million minutes of counselling delivered, making it one of the region’s prominent digital health platforms according to Knight Frank’s report.
Kumar said digital access points ease pressure on hospitals and extend services into underserved regions. Khan added a caveat: “The human interaction is critical. AI should support that, not replace it.”
Vision 2030 is accelerating the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care. That transition, Khan argues, requires deep private-sector involvement — from funding to management.
Kumar frames public-private partnerships as the catalyst for AI adoption.
“The public sector brings infrastructure and regulation, the private sector brings agility and global expertise. Together, they can fast-track AI solutions across diagnostics, telemedicine and workforce training.”
Gartner research titled “AI in Value-Based Care” published in June this year, reinforces this point, calling AI the critical enabling technology for advanced value-based care.
The global market for value-based healthcare is projected to soar from $12.2 billion in 2023 to $43.4 billion by 2031, with AI driving much of that growth.
Kumar points to lessons abroad: Singapore’s academic pathways that integrate AI with clinical training, China’s use of AI in chest X-rays, and the UK’s adoption of AI dermatology tools.
The Kingdom, meanwhile, is already testing bold ideas such as the world’s first AI-powered doctor clinic in Al-Ahsa, where a digital doctor named Dr. Hua collects symptoms, analyses data, and proposes treatments under physician oversight.
For Khan, this pioneering spirit is the opportunity. “No country has deployed AI at large scale in healthcare yet. Saudi Arabia has the human and financial capital to lead on the global stage.”
Regarding risks, Kumar notes that the Saudi Data and AI Authority established a framework in 2024 to safeguard patient privacy and ethics.
Khan insists adoption must be co-designed with clinicians and patients, starting with narrow, high-value use cases. “AI should enhance, not overwhelm, the human experience,” he said.
Gartner warns that AI models must be continuously monitored for bias and aligned with workflows to avoid clinician fatigue.
By 2030, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system is projected to look very different.
AI will underpin a shift from reactive treatment to preventative care, empowering clinicians with predictive insights, automating routine tasks, and expanding access through digital platforms.
Yet for all the investment and innovation, the final measure will not be model accuracy but human lives improved, as Khan put it earlier.
RIYADH: Rural tourism in Hail is thriving and offers visitors tranquility, natural beauty, and the authentic experience of Saudi country life.
The region’s farms have been preserved by their owners, allowing guests to connect with traditional agriculture and heritage, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
Visitors can immerse in a serene environment that reflects the richness of Hail’s landscape and heritage. (SPA)
Walking among groves of date palms, citrus trees, and plants, visitors are immersed in a serene environment that reflects the richness of Hail’s landscape.
Shaded seating areas invite relaxation, with traditional Arabic coffee served at the heart of nature.
FASTFACT
Hail’s farms have been preserved by their owners, allowing guests to connect with traditional agriculture and heritage.
Rustic cottages, water features, and children’s play areas add to the charm of the experience.
Many sites also host demonstrations of traditional irrigation methods, including the Blackstone water pump with its rhythmic sounds recreating the past experience of drawing water from deep wells.
Visitors can immerse in a serene environment that reflects the richness of Hail’s landscape and heritage. (SPA)
Other displays feature traditional honey-extraction techniques, heritage coffee pots, and incense burners to showcase the region’s artisanal traditions.
Several rural locations also feature museums in which artifacts and tools from earlier generations highlight cultural memories of the area.
Enclosures with birds and pygmy goats further enrich the family-friendly atmosphere.
Guests can complete their visit by consuming local produce, which helps to provide a taste of Hail’s hospitality.
The forum reflects Weqaa’s ongoing efforts to protect national agricultural resources and ensure the sustainability of the palm and date sector
Updated 01 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, known as Weqaa, held a forum on plant health in Buraidah, focusing on the sustainable management of palm trees.
The forum aimed to promote a sustainable future for the palm sector, recognizing it as a key pillar for food security and the national economy, in line with Vision 2030.
The event discussed integrated pest management, post-harvest handling, and the red palm weevil. (SPA)
Participants discussed integrated pest management, post-harvest handling, challenges with the red palm weevil, and the latest diagnostic and control technologies.
Several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to advance laboratory diagnostics and strengthen private-sector collaboration, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
A scientific exhibition accompanied the forum, showcasing research and technical innovations in plant health.
The forum reflects Weqaa’s ongoing efforts to protect national agricultural resources and ensure the sustainability of the palm and date sector.
Alwasel said the initiative is a part of broader efforts to boost Saudi Arabia’s presence in global cultural forums by supporting local publishers and enabling international partnerships
Updated 01 September 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the 38th Moscow International Book Fair from Sept. 3 to 7.
The event will showcase the growth of the Kingdom’s cultural sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Abdullatif Alwasel, the commission’s CEO, said the fair is an opportunity to present Saudi Arabia’s literary and creative talent to an international audience.
He said the commission seeks to foster cooperation in literature, publishing, and translation while expanding the global reach of Saudi content.
Alwasel said the initiative is a part of broader efforts to boost Saudi Arabia’s presence in global cultural forums by supporting local publishers and enabling international partnerships.
He said the commission’s initiatives support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which places culture at the heart of the nation’s development and global exchange.
