JEDDAH, 25 September 2005 — Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani yesterday opened a major Saudi art show in Paris. The minister also spoke of Saudi Arabia’s historical role in promoting cultural exchange through interaction with other countries and peoples.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Madani emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strong position in the comity of nations. “We play an effective role in the world economy,” he observed.

A number of Saudi and French officials, including Neuilly-sur-Seine Mayor Louis Charles Bary were present.

“It was from the Arabian Peninsula, of which Saudi Arabia is a major part, that the first migrations to Iraq, to the banks of the Mediterranean and Egypt took place as its people carried with them the seeds of civilization,” Madani said.

“Since then the cultural exchange between the Arabian Peninsula and other cultures has continued. The arrival of Islam has strengthened this trend,” the minister pointed out, adding that the Kingdom’s eastern and western coasts as well as the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah had become centers of culture and civilization.

“We are looking forward to increased cultural exchanges with France,” Madani said, highlighting France’s important cultural role in the world.

The art show, entitled “Heritage and Modernity,” was offered as part of the Kingdom’s National Day celebrations which were organized by the Saudi Embassy in Paris. The exhibition was held in the Neuilly-sur-Seine Municipality Hall.

The paintings of several well-known Saudi artists — Safeya Binzagr, Dhia Aziz Dhia and Faisal Samra — were on display. The opening ceremony also featured a Saudi Ardha dance by folklore troupes from the Kingdom.

In his address, Neuilly-sur-Seine Mayor Bary commended the strong Saudi-French relations. He noted the role played by King Fahd in promoting world peace.

He said the recent visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Paris while he was still crown prince was instrumental in boosting bilateral ties.

Saudi Ambassador to France Dr. Muhammad Ismail Al-Asheikh stressed the role of art and culture in strengthening relations and understanding between countries.

“We selected France for this exhibition because of its history which is rich in heritage and innovation,” he pointed out.

Javid Hassan adds from Riyadh: The National Day was widely celebrated on both Friday and Saturday, heralding the shape of things to come under the leadership of King Abdullah.

On Friday, there were a number of celebrations on the streets and in public parks in Riyadh. Main roads were crowded with people driving about who sported photographs of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan.

The manager of an Internet cafe in Riyadh told Arab News that there was a 50 percent increase in his business last night.

“Our cafe was jammed with young Saudis who were playing computer games or chatting online till 6 a.m. this morning. Normally we close at 1 a.m.,” he said, adding that most customers were in the 14-25 age group.

According to Abu Naeem, an Indian from Kerala, some shopkeepers in Batha celebrated by distributing free drinks to people in the market downtown.

Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), commended the economic reforms introduced by King Abdullah in recent years and said they were instrumental in attracting foreign investment to the Kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia was first among Arab countries in attracting direct foreign investment last year,” Dabbagh said in a statement marking the National Day. He hoped that the Kingdom would achieve leading positions in the world in terms of attracting foreign investment in the coming years.