Saudi and French artists strengthen cultural ties through art

Saudi and French artists strengthen cultural ties through art
The event coincided with the opening week of the second Islamic Arts Biennale. (AN)
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Updated 25 January 2025
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Saudi and French artists strengthen cultural ties through art

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.


Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA
Updated 8 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA

Saudi Arabia elected member of executive committee of IAACA
  • Saudi Arabia, represented by Nazaha’s President Mazin Al-Kahmous, was elected as a member of the executive committee of the IAACA
  • Al-Kahmous praised the vital role of the IAACA in promoting international cooperation, transparency, and integrity across nations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority which is otherwise known as Nazaha, participated in the 14th general meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, which took place on Thursday via a videoconference.

In the course of the meeting, Saudi Arabia, represented by Nazaha’s President Mazin Al-Kahmous, was elected as a member of the executive committee of the IAACA, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The move reflects the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts and global status in combating corruption, mainly at the international level.

Al-Kahmous praised the vital role of the IAACA in promoting international cooperation, transparency, and integrity across nations.

He spoke of the association’s mission to facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange among countries and institutions dedicated to combating corruption, as well as to develop effective strategies for addressing the issue locally and internationally.

The Nazaha president also stressed the importance of building a network of international partners to support the implementation of laws and policies related to transparency and accountability.

Al-Kahmous reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to working alongside member states and all stakeholders to make meaningful and effective contributions toward achieving the objectives of the IAACA.

The IAACA is an independent non-political and anti-corruption organization with over 180 agencies from different countries. It seeks to promote the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce corruption and bribery in all forms by 2030.


Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress
Updated 11 min 6 sec ago
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Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress

Jeddah meeting highlights geospatial progress
  • Gathering aimed to foster the exchange of insights, experiences and developments to enhance the role of geospatial information in achieving development goals within Arab countries
  • Meeting discussed initiatives to empower Arab women in the field of geospatial information

JEDDAH: The 12th meeting of the Regional Committee of UN Global Geospatial Information Management for the Arab States, hosted by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, ended on Tuesday in Jeddah.

The gathering aimed to foster the exchange of insights, experiences and developments to enhance the role of geospatial information in achieving development goals within Arab countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting included a review of the Arab Committee’s 2024 annual report, progress monitoring across working groups, and contributions from international organizations on geospatial information in the Arab region.

Notable efforts by the UN Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence and the UN Global Center of Excellence for Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation were highlighted, along with updates on the Kingdom’s hosting of the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, to be established in Riyadh.

Contributions from other regional committees of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management were also reviewed, the SPA reported.

The meeting discussed initiatives to empower Arab women in the field of geospatial information.


Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau
Updated 06 February 2025
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Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau

Muslim World League chief inaugurates Qur’an contest in Guinea-Bissau
  • President Umaro Sissoko Embalo awards highest medal of honor to Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa for promoting religious diplomacy
  • Dr. Al-Issa highlighted the importance of such competitions, as the Tijan An Nour Qur’an, in encouraging Qur’an memorization and enhancing participants’ societal roles

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoko Embalo, Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa inaugurated the Tijan An Nour Qur’an competition at the Lino Correia Stadium in Bissau.

Embalo awarded Al-Issa the country’s highest medal of honor for his efforts in religious diplomacy, as well as promoting civilizational peace and international cooperation.

Al-Issa highlighted the importance of such competitions in encouraging Qur’an memorization and enhancing participants’ societal roles.

The competition is West Africa’s most prominent Qur’anic event, featuring 20-part, 15-part, 10-part and five-part memorization categories.

It also includes training courses on Qur’an recitation, imam and teacher qualifications, and recitation correction.


Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy
Updated 06 February 2025
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Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy

Riyadh library, AlUla commission to promote heritage and literacy
  • Agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields
  • Deal will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, introduce mobile library tours, and promote literacy through community events for children and families

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library and the Royal Commission for AlUla have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cultural and civilizational cooperation.

The agreement aims to promote knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The deal was signed on Wednesday by the library’s general supervisor, Faisal bin Muammar, and the acting CEO of the commission, Abeer Al-Akel, in Riyadh.

Bin Muammar emphasized that the agreement aligned with the library’s mission to preserve Arab and Islamic heritage, as well as the Kingdom’s diverse cultural legacy.

He said that the library played a key role in safeguarding this heritage through its collection of manuscripts, books, documents, rare photographs, and publishing and translation projects.

Al-Akel described the partnership as a model for integrated efforts among government entities in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

She highlighted the library’s rich knowledge and cultural archives, particularly in areas under the commission’s supervision.

The agreement includes collaboration in establishing libraries, hosting local and international exhibitions, and co-publishing books.

It also supports scientific research, promotes bilingual publications in Arabic and English, and exchanges visual and audio materials related to AlUla, Al-Mu’azzam, Tayma and Khaybar.

Additionally, the deal will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, introduce mobile library tours, and promote literacy through community events for children and families.

Training and development programs will build professional capacities through joint courses and workshops.


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’
Updated 06 February 2025
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Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of algebra’
  • Event celebrates Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi’s legacy in mathematics and informatics

RIYADH: The STEAM Festival in Riyadh celebrates the legacy of 9th-century Muslim scientist Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, one of the most prominent figures in the history of mathematics and informatics.

The event was organized by the King Salman Science Oasis as part of its efforts to spread knowledge and promote interest in science and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

It aims to inspire students by showcasing Al-Khwarizmi’s achievements in mathematics, algebra, and algorithms, which laid the foundation for modern scientific and technical development.

The event featured interactive presentations and workshops highlighting his contributions to science, the SPA reported.

This initiative aligns with the oasis’s vision to enhance scientific and cultural identity, motivate future generations, and contribute to achieving Vision 2030’s strategic goals.

Al-Khwarizmi, known as “the father of algebra,” was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and scholar who laid the foundation for modern algebra and computational mathematics.

He worked at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, writing influential texts on arithmetic, algebra, and geography.

His book introduced systematic solutions to linear and quadratic equations, giving rise to algebra. The term “algorithm” is derived from the Latinized version of his name, reflecting his lasting impact on mathematics and computer science.

Earlier, the oasis highlighted the pioneering work of scientist Mariam Al-Astrolabi, renowned for her contributions to astronomy and her creation of astrolabes, instruments used to determine locations and times for prayers. Her work also advanced marine navigation.

Additionally, the oasis hosted an event honoring Jabir ibn Hayyan, known as “the father of chemistry” for his groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and gold water. His innovations, including distillation, played a key role in advancing both Islamic and Western chemistry.