Saudi and French artists strengthen cultural ties through art

JEDDAH: The Consulate General of France in Jeddah recently hosted a reception at the French Residence to celebrate friendship and cultural collaboration between Saudi and French artists.

The event coincided with the opening week of the second Islamic Arts Biennale. Esteemed guests included Jack Lang, president of the Institut du Monde Arabe (The Arab World Institute) and former French minister of culture, along with artists and key partners involved in the biennale.

The consul general of France in Jeddah, Mohammed Nehad, spoke to Arab News about the importance of the biennale as a cornerstone of cultural collaboration: “The Biennale of Islamic Art is a pivotal moment for France. We are deeply committed to building bridges between Saudi and French artists. This event allows us to bring these creative minds together, fostering a unique dialogue.

“With the participation of Mr. Lang, a cultural visionary, and renowned institutions like the Louvre and Centre Pompidou present, this gathering underscores our dedication to expanding cooperation.”

He also highlighted initiatives, including plans to organize a major exhibition in Paris dedicated to Al-Balad, Jeddah’s historic district.

Jack Lang, president of the Institut du Monde Arabe (The Arab World Institute). (AN photo)

“It’s our dream to showcase the rich heritage of Al-Balad in Paris,” he said. “We’ve already hosted Saudi artists in France, with some present during this biennale, and facilitated French artists’ residencies in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Asir region. This cultural exchange enriches both nations and strengthens the bond between us.”

Speaking further on the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia, Nehad added: “I am inspired by the energy and creativity of Saudi artists, and encouraged by the progress made. Having served in Saudi Arabia during different terms, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation, with institutions and artists now more connected globally. It’s an honor to support and be part of this incredible cultural renaissance.”

Lang, a frequent visitor to Saudi Arabia and an advocate for cultural exchange, shared his admiration for the biennale and the Kingdom’s transformation. “This biennale is extraordinary, showcasing unparalleled creativity and architectural brilliance,” he told Arab News. “Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed Saudi Arabia’s cultural evolution, which is nothing short of revolutionary. The country has become a global hub for museums, theaters, cinema and visual arts. It’s unique and remarkable.”

Reflecting on the relationship between Saudi Arabia and France, he added: “Our collaboration is rich and longstanding. At the Institut du Monde Arabe, we hosted a landmark exhibition on AlUla, which ran for a year.”

Lang, who has also served on the Advisory Council of the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “This growing partnership reflects the shared vision and passion of both nations.”

Raphael Justine, counselor for cooperation and cultural action at the French Embassy, expressed his enthusiasm for the biennale’s role in enhancing cultural partnerships.

“This is an exciting time for French-Saudi relations in the arts. The biennale provides a platform for artists from both nations to collaborate and create meaningful works,” he told Arab News. “During President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit, we signed over 10 cultural agreements, further solidifying our dedication to fostering collaboration.”

He highlighted the importance of artistic collaboration: “One of our main objectives is to bring French and Saudi artists together, enabling them to co-create and shape the cultural production of the Kingdom in the years to come.

“With so many museums being built, exhibitions being planned and cultural initiatives taking shape across the Kingdom, not just in AlUla, Riyadh and Jeddah, but throughout Saudi Arabia, there is tremendous potential for joint creative endeavors. I am confident that artists from both nations will deliver exceptional work that resonates globally.”

Laure Confavreux-Colliex, founding partner and managing director of Manifesto Middle East, lauded the biennale’s thoughtful execution and its impact on cultural exchange. “The choice of the Hajj Terminal as the venue is profound and symbolic,” she said. “The entire project is thoughtfully curated, and the biennale is a transformative moment for Saudi Arabia. I attended the first edition and was amazed by the quality and depth of the event.

“This year’s biennale has created invaluable opportunities for artists like Abdelkader Benchamma, a French artist whose stunning work at the biennale was the result of multiple visits and on-site collaboration. These exchanges foster deeper connections and understanding, unlocking creative potential across borders.”

Laure Confavreux-Colliex, founding partner and managing director of Manifesto Middle East. (AN photo)

Manifesto has worked to support artists and public art projects for more than a decade. Its branch in Riyadh has collaborated with Saudi cultural institutions to facilitate artist residencies and exhibitions. For instance, Bashaer Hawsawi and Reem Al-Nasser, who exhibited at the Hafez Gallery, spent three months at POUSH, a dynamic artistic hub in Paris hosting more than 300 artists as part of the intermix program developed by the Visual Arts Commission.

“There, they became part of a vibrant ecosystem, which has now culminated in their exhibition in Jeddah,” Confavreux-Colliex said. “This kind of long-term dialogue and immersive experience is essential to building a strong cultural ecosystem.

“We’ve hosted around 15 Saudi artists in Paris through residency programs and welcomed French artists to AlUla and Riyadh. These sustained exchanges not only enrich individual artists’ journeys, but also strengthen the cultural fabric between our nations,” she added.

MAKKAH: In a distinctive literary experiment that blurs the lines between visual storytelling and prose, Saudi novelist Fatimah Al-Amro is charting new territory in Arabic literature. Her work merges the cinematic with the written word, creating narratives that pulse with global appeal while remaining rooted in authentic identity.

In an exclusive interview, Al-Amro opened up about her motivations, choices, and ambitious vision for the future — making clear that contemporary literature transcends the printed page to encompass image, drama, and art.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Amro explained that featuring European model Cheyenne Draghi on the cover of her novel “Aslan’s Sky” was not merely coincidental or an attempt to attract attention, but rather a reflection of the hero’s image she had drawn in her imagination from the beginning.

“Cheyenne was not just a fashion model for the cover, but an artistic partner who helped me shape the hero’s features,” Al-Amro said.

“Through his features, the character of Louis was born and evolved. What surprised me was seeing him described in Arab media as the first European face on an Arabic novel cover — the story even made waves on Italian and Spanish websites. It was genuinely groundbreaking for the Arab literary landscape.”

For Al-Amro, book covers represent far more than decorative packaging. “The cover is the reader’s first encounter with the novel’s universe,” she noted.

“I insist it should be integral to the literary experience itself. That is why I worked with a Spanish designer for my ‘Luis the Spaniard’ series. Today’s covers function as visual art and collectible objects in their own right — not just wrapping paper.”

Her decision to set a narrative in the world of Formula 1 racing stemmed from direct observation. “Formula 1 offered rich dramatic terrain with universal resonance,” Al-Amro explained.

“It is an arena where life-altering decisions happen in split seconds. Since Arabic literature had never explored this territory, I saw an opportunity to approach it through a literary lens combining romance, suspense, and imagination.”

Al-Amro noted that her novelistic style leans toward cinematic construction more than classical, a natural outgrowth of her background in journalism and film.

“Visual detail and dynamic pacing immerse readers in an almost cinematic experience.”

She confirmed that media companies have expressed interest in adapting her work for the screen — a prospect she welcomes enthusiastically as it breathes fresh life into the narrative.

Her appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival became an impromptu book launch celebration that drew considerable enthusiasm and support from attendees. A standout moment came when she presented Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield with an Arabic copy of her novel.

“When I mentioned he inspired one of my characters, he applauded me in front of the crowd,” she recalled. “It felt like meaningful recognition that Arabic literature can achieve global reach in its original language.”

Distinguishing between her two works “Luis the Spaniard” and “Aslan’s Sky,” Al-Amro explained that each has its own world. The former delivers high-stakes drama immersed in F1’s world and haunted by past conflicts, while the latter offers romantic comedy rich with human contradictions and witty exchanges.

“I thrive on variety and write whatever captivates my imagination,” she said. “My goal is always to challenge conventional visual and narrative formulas.”

Looking ahead, Al-Amro’s sights are set firmly on Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film industry. “My aspirations are cinematic,” she declared.

“I am currently developing the screenplay for ‘Aslan’s Sky,’ and I envision transforming ‘Luis the Spaniard’ into a dramatic series that weaves together suspense and imagination. I am convinced that literature and cinema, working in tandem, can deliver fresh Arab experiences with global resonance.”

Through her fusion of text, imagery, and imagination, Al-Amro is staking out pioneering ground in the Arab creative landscape — demonstrating that Arabic literature can achieve international prominence when it dares to break familiar boundaries and traditions.

Saudi and French artists strengthen cultural ties through art