Diriyah Company brings Saudi heritage to Harrods in London with $63bn development showcase

Diriyah Company brings Saudi heritage to Harrods in London with $63bn development showcase
The Diriyah Company is hosting a pop up within Harrods in London from July 1-26. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 October 2024
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Diriyah Company brings Saudi heritage to Harrods in London with $63bn development showcase

Diriyah Company brings Saudi heritage to Harrods in London with $63bn development showcase
  • Exhibition spotlights 350 luxury residences that are part of the project
  • Immersive experience aims to attract the attention of the 450,000 people expected to visit Harrods this month

LONDON: Diriyah Company is bringing a taste of Saudi culture and heritage to upmarket London department store Harrods this month, in the form of an exclusive pop-up exhibition highlighting the $63 billion mega-development project underway in Diriyah, the historic birthplace of the Kingdom.

The immersive experience, which opened on Monday and continues until July 26, aims to attract the attention of the 450,000 people expected to visit Harrods this month. The centerpiece of the event is a display featuring the master plan for the ambitious urban development project, which when complete will be six-and-a-half times the size of Monaco. It will feature hotels, four metro stations, and extensive retail and commercial office spaces.




The centerpiece of the event is a display featuring the master plan for the ambitious urban development project. (Supplied)

Diriyah Company has worked with the Harrods team to transform the space into an exhibition that tells the story of Saudi heritage and architecture, incorporating elements of the traditional Najdi architectural style in a warm color palette of yellows, oranges and browns. A highlight of the event is a showcase of 350 residences developed by luxury brands Ritz Carlton, Baccarat and Corinthia.

“These are the best of the best to collaborate with,” Diriyah Company’s chief marketing officer, Kiran Jay Haslam, told Arab News, adding that each brand brings something unique to the project.

The Baccarat residences will be notable for their sophisticated fusion of modern luxury and classic French elegance, incorporating opulent materials and Baccarat crystal accents, he said, while Corinthia will offer a more family-focused, homely feel, and the Ritz Carlton units will put an emphasis on the high levels of services available to residents. Representatives of Diriyah Company are on hand to explain the differences between the brands and highlight their unique selling points, he added, to help visitors understand what each has to offer.

In 2021, Saudi authorities issued a directive allowing non-Saudis who are legal residents of the country to buy single properties in the Kingdom, subject to approval by licensing authorities.

“In addition to that, the conversations that we know are taking place right now to open up real estate to foreign investment are really exciting for us,” Haslam said. “We’re looking very closely into when that will come to play.

“I think a lot of the projects in the kingdom will take on a new lease of life because of the ability for global interaction in these budgets. And … I think we’re really going to start to attract some significant talent to the kingdom.”

Six units are available for purchase at the Corinthia development and eight at the Baccarat. Haslam said sales at the Ritz Carlton development have moved more quickly than the company anticipated, and only 16 of the 106 residences are still available.




Visitors passing by Harrods take a look at Diriyah masterplan on display at the pop-up. (Supplied)

The pop-up event at Harrods follows Diriyah Company’s immersive exhibition at Outernet, an entertainment, arts and culture district in London. The showcases are part of a broader Saudi strategy to promote Diriyah on the global stage, with upcoming events planned in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Paris.

Haslam said the exhibition at Harrods has already received a positive response from early visitors, particularly those for whom the celebration of Arab culture hit close to home.

“We’re a very emotional project,” he said. “We’re a project that’s delivering some kind of unique quality in essence and pride of the Kingdom. And so it’s really great to be here and to have this interaction.”
 


Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation

Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation
Updated 43 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation

Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation
  • During the call, both ministers expressed deep concern over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon

RIYADH: The Saudi foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, both ministers expressed deep concern over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon, emphasizing their countries' solidarity with the Lebanese people amidst the ongoing crisis, SPA added.

They stressed the need for the Lebanese state to fully exercise its authority and sovereignty over all its territories, with international support enabling it to manage the crisis effectively.

The ministers called upon the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take urgent action to facilitate an immediate and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Highlighting the importance of regional stability, they reaffirmed the Kingdom and Egypt's commitment to continue coordinating efforts to address the challenges posed by the escalating violence in the Arab region.

The joint appeal for international intervention comes as tensions in Lebanon and Gaza reach new heights, with concerns growing over the humanitarian and security repercussions for the broader Middle East.


More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says

More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says
Updated 20 min 10 sec ago
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More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says

More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says
  • Envoy spoke at event to mark Unity Day, which celebrates reunification of East and West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990

RIYADH: A growing number of German Muslims are undertaking pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, Germany’s ambassador to the Kingdom said.

Speaking at an event to mark Unity Day, which celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990, envoy Michael Kindsgrab told Arab News that Hajj and Umrah were two of the many areas in which Germany and Saudi Arabia were cooperating.

“That is just one example of how we can establish more people-to-people contact,” he said.

As well as marking the 34th anniversary of Unity Day, this year is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Germany.

Speaking about his work and experiences in the Kingdom, Kindsgrab said: “It’s of course a big honor to be working as German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Germany as a country is becoming more and more diverse. It is just the right moment to be here to explore new areas of cooperation.

ide the ambassador of Germany to Saudi Arabia Michael Kindsgrab. (AN Photo/Huda BashAttah)

“It has been the most interesting and exciting posting that I have had in my career and I really look forward to the next year. I also have to say I really enjoy life here, people are enormously nice and enormously interesting.”

The event at the German Embassy in Riyadh featured a variety of activities and booths showcasing German businesses in Saudi Arabia, including the Goethe-Institut and the German International School.

A military band provided entertainment with renditions of popular jazz, rock and pop songs.

On the importance of Unity Day, Kindsgrab said: “For me, the significance is that it was embedded in European unity, because together with German unity we achieved European unity which makes Germany a country at the heart of Europe surrounded by friends.”

Undersecretary of Riyadh Region Faisal Al-Sudairi was among the invited officials, diplomats and representatives of German-Saudi businesses at the embassy event.


Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan
Updated 45 min 50 sec ago
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Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force has deployed to Pakistan for the multinational Shield of Sindh 2024 exercise.

The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario.

Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off the departure of the Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector.

Before takeoff, he conducted a thorough inspection of equipment and received detailed briefings on the operational readiness of flight crews, technical teams and support personnel. The Saudi contribution to the exercise is substantial, featuring a squadron of six Tornado aircraft.

Speaking about the exercise, he said: “Our participation in Shield of Sindh 2024 serves multiple objectives. It strengthens our bonds with Pakistan and other participating nations, while also providing a platform to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and allowing air and support crews to gain more combat experience in unconventional and electronic warfare environments.”


Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham

Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham
Updated 54 min 41 sec ago
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Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham

Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham

RIYADH: The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024 opened its door Friday to visitors in Malham, north of Riyadh, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity.

Running for 10 days under the theme “a world that resembles you,” the mega event has drawn over 400 exhibitors from 45 countries.

Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, this year’s exhibition marks a significant expansion, occupying 160,000 square meters and featuring a diverse array of attractions. 

In a groundbreaking move, it hosts the Kingdom’s first platform for selling hunting weapons, with Saudi companies representing more than 55 global brands, alongside special and rare editions for hunting enthusiasts. The event also provides real and virtual hunting experiences.

Waleed Al-Taweel, spokesperson of the Saudi Falcons Club, emphasized the exhibition’s role in preserving cultural heritage. 

“We are not just showcasing falconry, we are sustaining a legacy,” he stated, highlighting the falcon’s symbolic importance in Saudi culture as an emblem of courage and pride.

He emphasized that the exhibition highlights falcons, hunting, and related hobbies to revive this ancient Saudi legacy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of showcasing and sustaining Saudi heritage and enhancing its role in cultural tourism both domestically and internationally.

Visitors can engage in a wide range of activities, offering hands-on insights into falcon husbandry and training. 

Attendees can explore a vast marketplace where hundreds of vendors display state-of-the-art falconry gear, innovative technologies, and specialized dietary products for these prized birds. 

A notable addition this year is the Future Falconer Program, designed to introduce children to the art of falconry through interactive and educational activities.

The exhibition also includes an outdoor cooking demonstration area, the Shalayel Digital Museum, a photography exhibition, a live fine art gallery, an area for arts, handicrafts, and sculpture, interactive games, and remote-controlled aircraft shows. 

Adventure seekers can enjoy 4x4 vehicle experiences, equestrian shows, and drone demonstrations.

The organizers have made the event accessible to all, with free entry daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.


Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil

Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil
Updated 04 October 2024
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Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil

Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil
  • Company will donate 5% of sales of post-surgery range to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

RIYADH: The Saudi Cancer Foundation has teamed up with e-commerce platform Metro Brazil to raise funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The global health campaign, which is held every October and known as Pinktober, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide.

Throughout the month, Metro Brazil, which sells luxury Brazilian shapewear, will donate 5 percent of the value of its sales of its post-surgery products to the foundation.

The range, which features 25 items, is designed to empower women who have undergone breast surgery to navigate their recovery.

CEO Alaa Kara Ali said: “Pinktober is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the fight against breast cancer. By supporting this cause, Metro Brazil aims to contribute to the well-being of women in the Middle East and beyond.

“Our partnership with the foundation reflects our ongoing dedication to women’s health and well-being. Together, we can make a greater impact in the lives of survivors by providing essential recovery aids and amplifying breast cancer awareness.”

The Saudi Cancer Foundation is committed to helping breast cancer patients through early detection, education and recovery programs.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, although it can also affect men.

Pinktober was launched in 2006 to provide a platform for advocacy organizations, health departments, retailers and community groups to raise awareness of the disease and support those affected by it.