Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition

Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition
Set to run from the end of September to January, the exhibition will display a curated selection of artworks. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition

Saudi Arabia to host Chinese contemporary art exhibition

JEDDAH: The Saudi Museums Commission is set to launch “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” an exhibition of Chinese contemporary art in Saudi Arabia, at the Saudi Arabian Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax in Diriyah.

The exhibition will feature works from more than 30 Chinese artists, showcasing over 50 artworks that delve into the transformative nature of contemporary society.

According to a statement, the event will explore a wide range of cultural and societal themes, emphasizing the significance of writing in both Arabic and Chinese traditions. It also addresses universal concepts such as nostalgia, memory and modernism. One of the key themes is the role of the garden in Chinese culture, alongside an exploration of commodification and capital in contemporary Chinese society.

Set to run from the end of September to January, the exhibition will display a curated selection of artworks, some loaned from private collections and others created specifically for the exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Visitors can engage with large sculptures, immersive installations, videos, paintings and photography, all of which offer a fresh perspective on Chinese contemporary art.

Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, said: “Visitors will encounter a wide range of works across different mediums, presenting a non-traditional view of Chinese contemporary art. The exhibition highlights universal themes of memory, nostalgia, progress and modernism, while exploring the balance between individual and collective identity.

“It presents works from an important period in Chinese contemporary art, from the late 90s to early 2000s, along with several site-specific pieces. The curatorial narrative draws on the shared cultural values of calligraphy and gardens in both Arab and Chinese traditions, with the Literati garden as a central theme, inviting visitors to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the experience,” he told Arab News.

SAMOCA @ Jax, inaugurated in 2023, is part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural program under Vision 2030. It serves as a dynamic platform for both local and international artists to collaborate, exchange ideas and contribute to the evolving landscape of contemporary art in the Kingdom.

Tickets for the exhibition will soon be available on the Discover Culture platform.


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.