Middle East’s creative economy to reap rewards of heavy culture spending

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A close up architectural shot of a Qasr Al Hosn arch, showcasing the corridors of the attraction and the iconic tower, illuminated by bright lights during the night time. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 July 2021
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Middle East’s creative economy to reap rewards of heavy culture spending

  • Some states have kept investing in arts, culture and heritage through the pandemic despite financial pressures
  • Cultural and creative industries generate global annual revenues of $2,250 billion, according to UNESCO

DUBAI: Given the financial pressures of the past 18 months, few would expect a hefty investment in the arts and culture to be high on any government’s agenda. And yet, as economies emerge from the pandemic gloom, several Arab countries are pouring billions of dollars into the creative economy — art galleries, heritage sites and museums — to entice visitors and reinvigorate long-term growth.

UNESCO says cultural and creative industries are among the fastest-growing sectors in the world, delivering annual revenues of $2,250 billion, generating 30 million jobs and contributing roughly 10 percent to global gross domestic product (GDP).

Recognizing the sector’s potential, the UN designated 2021 as the International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are prominent among the countries investing in cultural megaprojects with the goal of diversifying their future revenue streams and benefiting from other positive impacts: celebrating rich natural beauty and heritage; educating young populations; and attracting international brands and visitors.

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As in the rest of the world, the Middle East’s creative economy sectors have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But here too, public response to the crisis has underscored the importance of creativity and culture in supporting community resilience.

In Saudi Arabia, spending on cultural projects has been ongoing for several years. Most recently, the Kingdom has doubled down on its landmark Diriyah Gate project — a culture and leisure complex in the historic heart of Riyadh — which sets out to rival the pyramids of Egypt and the Colosseum of Rome.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, told Arab News in June that his budget had been increased from $20 billion to $40 billion. The move to expand the project’s budget and scope was the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Inzerillo said on the “Frankly Speaking” show.

Diriyah was the seat of the first Saudi Kingdom in the 18th century and is regarded as a centerpiece of Vision 2030 — a collection of development and diversification initiatives launched in 2016, which include major investments in culture, leisure and tourism.




Old structures in Riyadh's Diriyah cultural district, the site of the first Saudi Kingdom in the 18th century, have been preserved. (Supplied)

One of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious cultural projects is the Journey Through Time master plan — a 15-year project to develop the AlUla valley, home to Hegra and a multitude of other historical sites, into a living museum designed to immerse visitors in 200,000 years of natural and human history.

Additionally, the Saudi Cultural Development Fund has been created under Vision 2030 to support individuals, businesses and civil society groups working in the sector. It has already disbursed SR 180 million ($47.9 million) to projects in 2021.

“Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a pivotal cultural movement,” Reem Al-Sultan, CEO of Misk Art Institute, told Arab News. “The institute recently doubled its annual Misk Art Grant to SR 1 million, making it the largest arts grant in the region, and launched the Art Library, a new legacy initiative dedicated to documenting the work of seminal Saudi and Arab artists.”

Misk Art Institute was established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017 to encourage grassroots artistic production in Saudi Arabia, nurture the appreciation of Saudi and Arab art, and enable cultural diplomacy and exchange.

“Providing support, infrastructure and opportunity for Saudi art and artists brings global awareness to the rich cultural heritage of the region, inviting greater international dialogue and enhancing our relationships with our cultural counterparts around the world,” Al-Sultan said.




Misk Art Institute designed the Masaha Residency as a way for artists to pursue new projects and ideas. (Supplied)

In neighboring UAE, Abu Dhabi announced in June that it would be investing $6 billion in cultural and creative industries on top of the $2.3 billion already pledged as part of its post-pandemic stimulus program.

“In terms of growth, we know the creative industries are going to be a major contributor to GDP in Abu Dhabi,” Mohammed Al-Mubarak, who chairs the emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism, recently told the Financial Times.

Launched in 2019, Abu Dhabi’s Culture and Creative Industries Strategy (CCI) is a comprehensive five-year plan to accelerate business growth and job creation in the realms of film and television, visual and performing arts, gaming, e-sports, heritage, crafts and publishing.

It includes an overall planned investment of more than AED 30 billion ($8.1 billion) across the public and private sectors, with AED 8.5 billion already pledged to drive ahead monumental projects, including the Yas Creative Hub and Saadiyat Cultural District.

The Yas Creative Hub, a new media zone that includes a regional CNN newsroom, is expected to employ 8,000 workers by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Saadiyat Cultural District, which is scheduled for completion by 2025, will feature the Abrahamic Family House — an interfaith-dialogue facility comprising a mosque, a church and a synagogue.




Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)

Some 20,000 people already work in Abu Dhabi’s creative and cultural sector. A further 15,000 jobs are expected to be created over the next four years — an ambitious goal that may not be achievable without a flexible visa system to attract outside talent, which is why Abu Dhabi is rolling out a special creative visa program, open to professionals endorsed by the Department of Culture and Tourism.

INNUMBERS

$6 billion - Abu Dhabi’s latest investment in cultural and creative industries

$40 billion - Enlarged budget for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Gate Project

$1 billion - Egypt’s investment in the Grand Egyptian Museum

“This isn’t a new trend. Abu Dhabi has been investing in culture significantly for over a decade,” Dyala Nusseibeh, director of Abu Dhabi Art, told Arab News.

“There is already this key investment happening. What has been announced is the continuation and expansion of that investment. Why? Because the government has done its research and found that it is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The strategy is about finding ways to harness that growth locally.”

Already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the emirate will also soon host the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A further AED 22 billion will be released over the next five years to support new museums and creative activities.




The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Supplied)

“The CCI is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors worldwide,” Saood Al-Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism, told Arab News. “In Abu Dhabi, we have witnessed significant growth in the CCI, and today it is a key driver of social and economic growth, as well as diversification.

“More than 20,000 people already work in the sector, and we expect this to grow significantly over the coming years. In addition, the CCI has consistently shown considerable resilience and adaptability in the face of changing economic dynamics.

“So, as the world emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect its high-value products and services to help power economic recovery.”

Egypt has also jumped on the cultural spending bandwagon to help reinvigorate its lagging tourism sector. The Grand Egyptian Museum, a brand new 5.2 million-square-foot edifice at the edge of the Giza Plateau due to open later this year, is part of a $1 billion state investment in heritage and culture.




Once completed, the Grand Egyptian Museum, also known as the Giza Museum, will be the largest archaeological museum in the world. (GEMCC via Facebook)

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities says it aims to raise the standard of services provided to visitors at 30 of its key attractions, museums and archaeological sites, including Al-Moez Street in Old Cairo, the capital’s Citadel, and museums in Alexandria, Fayoum, Sohag and Luxor.

Egypt is also currently building a New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, which is expected to have several theaters, exhibition halls, libraries, museums and galleries. The first phase of the city is due for completion in 2030 at a cost of $58 billion.

It is not just the state that is sinking large sums of money into Egypt’s cultural reawakening. Orascom Investments, run by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, has signed a contract worth $12.7 million to develop and manage the sound and light shows at the Giza Pyramids.

Tourism is a huge source of revenue for the Egyptian economy, reaching $13 billion in 2019. However, just 3.5 million tourists visited the country in 2020, compared with 13.1 million a year earlier. Officials expect visitor numbers will return to pre-pandemic levels by 2022.

The hope is that once the pandemic is gradually brought under control and the global economy begins to recover, the return on the investments and other positive impacts will fully vindicate Arab governments’ decision to keep spending on culture.

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Twitter: @rebeccaaproctor


Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

Updated 24 May 2025
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Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

  • Iconic band make major stop on Middle East leg of schedule 

RIYADH: Iconic American rock band Guns N’ Roses performed in Riyadh on Friday as part of their 2025 global tour, marking a major stop on the band’s Middle East schedule.

The group, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, took the stage to a packed crowd, kicking off the night with “Welcome to the Jungle.”

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST. (Supplied)

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. 

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST and, ahead of the event, Rayan Al-Rasheed, its director of operations and artist booking, highlighted the significance of hosting such acts in the Kingdom.

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. (Supplied)

He said: “Saudi Arabia has become a key destination for global music acts. By hosting legendary artists like Guns N’ Roses we aim to elevate the Kingdom’s presence in the global music scene.”

The introduction of rock music to the Saudi musical landscape acknowledged a genre that had long had a strong presence in the country, he said, adding: “The popularity of bands like Metallica and Linkin Park shows that rock has deep roots here.”


Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

Updated 24 May 2025
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Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

  • Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended

PARIS: A Paris court this week found the ringleader and seven other people guilty in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, but did not impose any additional time behind bars for their roles in what the US celebrity described as “the most terrifying experience of my life."

The chief judge, David De Pas, said that the defendants' ages — six are in their 60s and 70s — and their health issues weighed on the court’s decision to impose sentences that he said “aren’t very severe.”

He said that the nine years between the robbery and the trial — long even by the standards of France’s famously deliberate legal system — were also taken into account in not imposing harsher sentences. The court acquitted two of the 10 defendants.

Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended.

Three others got seven years, five of them suspended. Three more got prison sentences ranging from five to three years, mostly or completely suspended, and an eighth person was found guilty on a weapons charge and fined.

With time already served in pretrial detention, none of those found guilty will go to prison and all walked out free. The trial was heard by a three-judge panel and six jurors.

Still, the chief judge said that Kardashian had been traumatized by the Oct. 2, 2016, jewel heist in her hotel during Fashion Week.

“You caused harm,” the judge said. “You caused fear.”

Kardashian, who wasn't present for the verdict, said in a statement issued afterward that she was “deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case.”

“The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice, and promoting a fair legal system," said the celebrity who is working to become a lawyer.


Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

Updated 24 May 2025
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Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

DUBAI: British actress and model Cara Delevingne wore a black gown by Saudi label Ashi Studio to the premiere of “La Venue de L’avenir” (“Colours of Time”) at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

The strapless gown featured a sleek, satin-like finish with a sculpted bodice that flowed into a straight, floor-length skirt, subtly draped at the hips. She paired the look with sheer black opera gloves for added drama.

Delevingne, her hair styled in soft waves, completed the ensemble with an emerald and diamond necklace and a matching ring from Hassanzadeh Jewellery.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

Delevingne’s gown was originally presented during Paris Haute Couture Week as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. The version shown on the runway was in blue.

Delevingne was not the only star dressed in designs by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, founder of Ashi Studio.

Hong Kong-Taiwanese actress and model Shu Qi also championed the designer at the premiere of “Resurrection,” wearing a deep burgundy velvet gown from his Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

The strapless dress featured a sleek, form-fitting silhouette. Its standout element was the train at the back, adorned with intricate gold-thread embroidery depicting trees, birds, houses, rivers and other landscape details.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ashi Studio (@ashistudio)

Ashi and his atelier have been based in Paris since 2018. In 2023, he became the first designer from the Gulf region to be invited as a guest member of the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris, which allowed him to present on the official couture calendar.

In 2024, Ashi was commissioned to design the official cabin crew uniforms for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline.

His designs have also been worn by a number of international public figures and performers, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

He most recently dressed US actress Ali Ahn, star of Netflix’s “The Diplomat,” in a cream sculptural ensemble for the Screen Actors Guild Awards held in Los Angeles in February.

That same month, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo also wore one of his creations to the 2025 Grammy Awards. Her look was from Ashi Studio’s Fall/Winter 2024-25 collection, titled “Sculpted Clouds.”


Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

Updated 23 May 2025
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Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

  • Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age

Netflix’s latest heartwarming film, “Nonnas” serves up more than just mouthwatering Americanized Italian food — it delivers a heartfelt story rooted in real life, proving that passion and purpose have no expiration date. It has steadily hovered in the top 10 Netflix film list in Saudi Arabia since its debut earlier this month.

Inspired by the true story of local Italian New Yorker Joe Scaravela’s Staten Island restaurant, Enoteca Maria/Nonnas of the World, which it self-describes as: “Convivial trattoria featuring real international grandmothers cooking on a rotating schedule,” the film highlights a special concept: Grandmothers, or “nonnas” (the Italian word for grandmother), from diverse backgrounds cook authentic, home-style meals for customers.

Vince Vaughn whips up a storm as Scaravela, the visionary who transforms deep personal loss into a vibrant tribute to family heritage: Handwritten scribbled recipes and all.

Alongside him, legendary actresses Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro bring the nonnas to life with warmth, humor and undeniable charm. Their performances challenge stereotypes about aging women, showing that these culinary matriarchs are far from “past their prime.” Instead, they are vibrant, innovative, creative and full of surprises — proving that life’s best chapters can unfold well beyond what society expects.

The film is a delightful reminder to believe in yourself, and also about the power of community. It celebrates the resilience and strength found in embracing one’s roots, sharing stories and opening hearts while breaking bread. Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age.

While some moments tread the line of predictable and are a bit too sentimental, the film’s earnest spirit and genuine affection for its characters shine through. A bit cheesy? Absolutely. But who doesn’t love a bit — or a lot — of cheese sprinkled in, especially when it’s served with a side of a home-cooked meal (for the soul)?


U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

Updated 23 May 2025
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U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

  • Singer tells country to shun ‘far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts’
  • Calls for protection of aid workers: ‘They’re the best of us’

LONDON: U2 singer Bono has called for Israel to be “released from (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists.” 

The Irish musician made the statement at the Ivor Novello Awards, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.

At the ceremony in London on Thursday, the singer said: “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there’s a few of them out there right now. 

“Hamas: Release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel: Be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they’re the best of us.”

U2, who were at the ceremony to be honored with an Academy Fellowship, then performed their song “Bloody Sunday,” which references the massacre of peaceful protesters by British troops in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

It is the first time that Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, has spoken publicly about Netanyahu since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

His words coincided with criticism of the prime minister by a number of Western leaders over Israel’s approach to the war, with international bodies warning that Gaza faces famine following an 11-week blockade on aid entering the Palestinian enclave.