A photo exhibition featuring the landmarks of the EU member states will be the highlight of the two-day gala event.

“The festival will showcase the rich cultural heritage of 20 European countries under one roof with an aim to promote mutual understanding and friendship,” said Luigi Narbone, chief of the European Commission’s delegation in Riyadh on Wednesday.

He said that the promotion of culture was a “vital element” in the EU's international relations to promote understanding.

Narbone pointed out that 63 rare photos had been chosen from 20 European countries to be exhibited during the event.

The photo exhibition will mainly highlight the landmarks and architectural feats of the European countries, he added.

This is a special occasion for EU member states, said Narbone, adding that implementing the agenda for culture entails taking their cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region one step further.

Narbone said a documentary featuring the culture and heritage of Europe would also be shown on the occasion. A 95-minute European animated film will be shown as part of the children’s segment of the program.

The cultural festival, organized by the EU delegation in cooperation with the embassies of the European countries, will be open to general visitors, including children, on Monday.

Narbone called on Saudi people, including students, to visit the festival. The EU official pointed out that member states would also be showcasing their tourism potentials.

“In fact, the idea is to begin a process of cultural interaction beginning with this event,” he said, adding that Khoja has expressed his keen desire for more cultural interaction, events and discourse between the two blocs.

Narbone said that culture was an important part of European identity, a key component that helps strengthen people-to-people exchanges and foster mutual understanding.

The event in Riyadh coincides with the European Heritage Days being celebrated with great fanfare this month in several countries across Europe on a staggered schedule. More than 20 million people are participating.

This year, the European days have an outstanding variety of events and monuments open to the public.

As a party to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the EU is also committed to developing a new and more active cultural role for Europe in international relations.