Saudi Arabia unveils flagship strategy to nurture arts, cultural talent

Saudi Arabia unveils flagship strategy to nurture arts, cultural talent
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The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, recently launched the ‘Cultural Talent Development Strategy’. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia unveils flagship strategy to nurture arts, cultural talent
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Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the culture minister. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 December 2022

Saudi Arabia unveils flagship strategy to nurture arts, cultural talent

Saudi Arabia unveils flagship strategy to nurture arts, cultural talent
  • The Cultural Talent Development Strategy is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program to develop talent, expertise and innovation in the cultural sector
  • Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the culture minister, said that the Kingdom has always considered education as its first priority, especially in the fields of culture and arts

JEDDAH: Talent-scouting programs and out-of-school workshops for students are among a host of initiatives aimed at boosting Saudi Arabia’s creative and cultural sector under a new landmark strategy.
The Cultural Talent Development Strategy, introduced recently by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program to develop talent, expertise and innovation in the cultural sector.
In coming years, 14 programs supported by the National Culture Strategy will encourage careers in the arts, with qualified graduates flourishing in the field.
Along with talent-scouting programs and out-of-school workshops, competitions and amateur clubs will also play a key role in discovering and developing talent in the country.
The strategy will deliver extracurricular cultural activities to more than half the country’s public schools by 2026.
Federal entities joining the strategic partnerships are the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the National eLearning Center.
Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the culture minister, said that the Kingdom has always considered education as its first priority, especially in the fields of culture, arts and creativity.
“In light of this, we launched the Cultural Talent Development Strategy to develop the cultural and artistic capabilities of our society through a system of policies, standards, academic programs and opportunities that enrich cultural creativity in the Kingdom. The strategy includes linking education outputs with the needs of the labor market and supporting sustainable practices in the cultural sector,” he said.
Commenting on the strategy, Yousef Al-Benyan, the education minister, said that integrating culture and arts into education will enhance the teaching process and foster an inspiring learning environment.
About 120 arts and culture training institutions will produce more than 20,000 graduates specializing in arts and culture, with 5 percent of graduates being matched with careers in the field.
The newly launched program will ensure that half of Saudi schools provide extracurricular cultural activities for students, leading to an increase in the number of students involved in artistic pursuits.


Prince Khalid honors air cadets at ceremony in Riyadh

Prince Khalid honors air cadets at ceremony in Riyadh
Updated 23 March 2023

Prince Khalid honors air cadets at ceremony in Riyadh

Prince Khalid honors air cadets at ceremony in Riyadh
  • Several other senior officials attended the ceremony

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense Prince Khalid bin Salman attended the graduation ceremony of the 102nd batch of King Faisal Air Academy in Riyadh on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Khalid was received by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamid Al-Ruwaili, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, Lieutenant-General Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, as well as the Commander of the King Faisal Air Academy, Major General Pilot Hazim bin Abdulrahman bin Ghashyan.

Several other senior officials attended the ceremony, where Prince Khalid honored the cadets.


King Salman, Crown Prince congratulate President Arif Alvi on Pakistan national day

King Salman, Crown Prince congratulate President Arif Alvi on Pakistan national day
Updated 23 March 2023

King Salman, Crown Prince congratulate President Arif Alvi on Pakistan national day

King Salman, Crown Prince congratulate President Arif Alvi on Pakistan national day

RIYADH: King Salman sent a cable of congratulations to President Arif Alvi of Pakistan on Thursday on the anniversary of his country’s National Day.

The king expressed his best wishes for the president’s good health and happiness, and for the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also congratulated President Alvi on the Pakistani national day, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 

During their phone call, they reviewed the strong relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them to serve common interests.

 

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General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announces itikaf registration

General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announces itikaf registration
Updated 23 March 2023

General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announces itikaf registration

General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques announces itikaf registration
  • The registration is to be made through the Nusuk application

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has announced the registration of itikaf service, or secluded devotion for the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The registration is to be made through the Nusuk application, and it will end when the permitted number is completed, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The agency has prepared the sites to receive about 2,500 worshippers for itikaf service, according to its operational plan for Ramadan this year.
The plan includes all services and facilities for those who register for itikaf service, from their entry to their exit from the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.


Ithra to host sixth annual ‘Cultural Majlis’ this Ramadan

Ithra to host sixth annual ‘Cultural Majlis’ this Ramadan
Updated 23 March 2023

Ithra to host sixth annual ‘Cultural Majlis’ this Ramadan

Ithra to host sixth annual ‘Cultural Majlis’ this Ramadan

DHAHRAN: The Cultural Oasis at Ithra will host its sixth annual “Cultural Majlis” during Ramadan.

Three different panel discussions will be held on March 27, April 3 and April 10 under the theme of “Travel Literature.”

In a statement, Ithra said that it hopes to help modern travelers become acquainted with carvings and newly discovered monuments by hosting a group of specialists in panel discussions.

Talks will be in Arabic, and will target those interested in Arabic literature and over the age of 16.

Guest speakers will delve into classic and contemporary travel literature, showing how travelers have represented their adventures and discoveries through stories.

The first session will feature Syrian author and poet Nouri Al-Jarrah, superintendent of the Ibn Battuta Award for Travel Literature Abdullah Al-Khudayyer, and Moroccan novelist Shuaib Halifi.

This will be followed by the book signings of “The Stone Serpent” by Al-Jarrah, “Estrangement with the Taste of Karthala” by Al-Khudayyer, and “Travels That Don’t Fear Imagination” by Halifi.

The second panel discussion will feature travelers Thawab Alsubaie and Saud Al-Eidie, along with travel photographer Hussain Daghriri. The three will discuss different approaches to travel under the title “Memory of a Place.”

In the third session, author and historian Sulaiman Al-Theeb and researcher of history and civilization Mishari Al-Nashmi will be interviewed by author and journalist Ali Zaalah under the title “Tales of Cities: Legacy and Heritage.”

Visitors will also have a special guided tour of the Hijrah Exhibit, where they will see the migration journey of the Prophet Muhammad from a modern perspective. Entry will be free.

The Cultural Majlis is a complimentary event. Tickets are not required to attend the book signings, and signed books will be distributed free of charge. Also, tickets are not required to enter the panel discussion. A free photography event will also be hosted in conjunction with the talks.

Panel discussions run from 10 p.m. until midnight.


Saudi, Iranian FMs set meeting on reopening of embassies, consulates

Saudi, Iranian FMs set meeting on reopening of embassies, consulates
Updated 23 March 2023

Saudi, Iranian FMs set meeting on reopening of embassies, consulates

Saudi, Iranian FMs set meeting on reopening of embassies, consulates

RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran will meet soon to pave the way for reopening embassies and consulates in the two countries, Saudi state media said early Thursday.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, arrived at the agreement during a phone call, the Saudi Press Agency and Al-Ekhbariyah said in separate reports.

The diplomats also exchanged greetings on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Kingdom and Iran agreed on March 10 to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions.

Amirabdollahian said on Sunday that three locations have been proposed for the meeting.