‘Slava’s Snowshow’ delights Riyadh audience

Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Slava’s Snowshow runs from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 May 2025
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‘Slava’s Snowshow’ delights Riyadh audience

‘Slava’s Snowshow’ delights Riyadh audience
  • Baker Al-Shedi Theater becomes a winter wonderland as ‘Snowshow’ enchants audience
  • Families and art lovers swept into a silent storm of creativity

RIYADH: “Slava's Snowshow” opened in Riyadh on Thursday before an audience of 200 people, mostly families with children, at the Baker Al-Shedi Theater.

The event, organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, is part of the commission’s efforts to enhance the city’s cultural scene in line with Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program.

“Slava’s Snowshow runs” from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances. Double-show weekends have been added to accommodate increasing demand. 

The performance featured snowstorm effects, unique characters, and striking visuals in a non-verbal show that appealed to all ages.

Created by Russian artist Slava Polunin, “Slava’s Snowshow” has been seen by more than 12 million people in more than 30 countries, from Broadway in New York to the West End in London.

Architect Khalid Alhazani, vice president of the Riyadh Life Sector at the RCRC, said: “We are pleased to bring ‘Slava’s Snowshow’ to Riyadh as part of our commitment to introducing world-class cultural experiences to the Kingdom. Hosting internationally acclaimed performances creates valuable cultural moments for the community.

“This is a significant step toward Riyadh’s goal of becoming a vibrant and creative capital, aligned with the ambitions of Vision 2030,” he added.

Abdulaziz Awlia, a faculty member at the Department of Performing Arts, King Saud University, told Arab News: “Bringing ‘Slava’s Snowshow’ to Riyadh reflects a growing cultural awareness in Saudi Arabia and highlights the shift in the Kingdom’s theatre scene toward international openness.

“The show introduces local audiences to new theatrical forms that go beyond dialogue and traditional storytelling. It uses visual language, movement, and silence to engage the audience emotionally. This is especially effective in a society with a strong oral heritage,” Awlia added.

“Performances like this can encourage Saudi theatre to grow by embracing experimentation and focusing on visual and poetic elements,” Awliya said.

“Slava’s Snowshow” has received more than 25 international awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and a Tony Award nomination on Broadway. The production combines visual performance and physical comedy to take audiences through a theatrical experience rooted in imagination and nostalgia. It appeals to audiences of all ages with its focus on creativity and childlike wonder.

Since its debut in 1993, the show has been performed thousands of times in hundreds of cities and dozens of countries. 

The production, which blends visual performance with elements of tragicomedy, has carved out a unique place in contemporary theatre. It has received numerous international honors, with recognition stretching from London and New York to Australia, Mexico, Paris, and Moscow.


Saudi Arabia satisfied with Syrian measures to achieve stability after clashes

Syrian security forces take a position in the Mazraa area, near Sweida on July 14, 2025. (AFP)
Syrian security forces take a position in the Mazraa area, near Sweida on July 14, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia satisfied with Syrian measures to achieve stability after clashes

Syrian security forces take a position in the Mazraa area, near Sweida on July 14, 2025. (AFP)
  • Kingdom condemned continued Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, interference in its internal affairs, and the destabilization of its security and stability

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia expressed its satisfaction with measures taken by the Syrian government to achieve security and stability, maintain civil peace, and achieve sovereignty over all Syrian territory.

The Kingdom also condemned continued Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, interference in its internal affairs, and the destabilization of its security and stability, in flagrant violation of international law and the Syria-Israel Disengagement Agreement signed in 1974.

The condemnation comes after Israel launched strikes on Tuesday against Syrian government forces in the Druze-majority region of Sweida, saying it was acting to protect the religious minority.

Damascus had deployed troops to Sweida after clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes killed more than 100 people.

Israel announced its strikes shortly after Syria’s defense minister declared a ceasefire in Sweida city, with government forces having entered the city in the morning.

The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community to stand by Syria, support it during this stage, and confront ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against Syria, Saudi Press Agency reported.


KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan
Updated 15 July 2025
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KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes food baskets to displaced people in Lebanon, Sudan and Afghanistan
  • The aid agency distributed 120 food baskets to Afghan refugees who returned from Pakistan and settled in Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing
  • Over the past decade, KSrelief has run thousands of humanitarian initiatives in nearly 92 countries

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief has distributed hundreds of food baskets to families in need in Sudan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan as part of ongoing efforts to alleviate the food security crisis in various countries.

KSrelief announced that 4,250 individuals will benefit from 700 food baskets distributed to displaced families affected by the armed conflict in Sudan, specifically in Al-Kamalin district of Gezira state.

In Afghanistan, the aid agency distributed 120 food baskets to Afghan refugees who returned from Pakistan and settled in Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing. At least 720 Afghans benefited from food baskets as part of a dedicated security and emergency project in Afghanistan for the 2025-2026 period.

Approximately 2,785 displaced Syrians living in Lebanon have received 577 food baskets from KSrelief volunteers in the western Beqaa Valley. This initiative is part of a project aimed at distributing food aid to support the most needy families in Lebanon, which has been significantly impacted by drought this summer.

Over the past decade, KSrelief has run thousands of humanitarian initiatives in 92 countries. Since its establishment in 2015, the aid agency has distributed food baskets to numerous countries, including Somalia, Mali, Bangladesh, Libya, and Palestine, among others.


Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage

Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage
Updated 15 July 2025
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Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage

Diriyah Dates Season celebrates sector’s growth and heritage
  • Governor praises initiatives as exports hit $453m, production tops 1.9m tonnes
  • Ministry of Culture is also represented with a booth showcasing artisans specializing in palm-based crafts as part of the Year of Handicrafts

RIYADH: Diriyah Gov. Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah has praised the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for developing the date production sector in the Kingdom and enhancing the quality of dates as a national product.

He highlighted the ministry’s support programs for farmers and initiatives that add value to dates, aligning with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

His remarks came during the inauguration of the Diriyah Dates Season and accompanying exhibition, which runs until July 24.

The event, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, aims to boost the sale of Saudi dates locally and globally, and provide an insight into Diriyah’s heritage through cultural and social activities.

The exhibition features booths for date vendors, processed date products, palm by-products and items from family-run cottage industries. It also has restaurants, cafes, food trucks, workshops for adults and children, a date auction zone and a horse parade.

The Ministry of Culture is also represented with a booth showcasing artisans specializing in palm-based crafts as part of the Year of Handicrafts.

The Kingdom’s palm and date sector is growing rapidly. According to figures from the General Authority for Statistics production surpassed 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, with SR1.7 billion ($453 million) worth of dates exported to 133 countries, up significantly from the previous year.

This growth reflects the Kingdom’s strong production capacity and government efforts to improve quality, expand global outreach and develop supply chains.


Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah
Updated 15 July 2025
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Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

Saudi King Salman chairs weekly Cabinet meeting in Jeddah

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, on Tuesday praised the kingdom’s global ranking in the growth of international tourist revenues during the first quarter of 2025.

In its weekly session held in Jeddah, the Council of Ministers said the growth reflects the rapid development witnessed by the tourism sector in the Kingdom. 

The Cabinet also reviewed the Kingdom’s positions on regional and global developments, as well as efforts that achieve mutual interests and benefits, and contribute to addressing global challenges.


City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha

City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha
Updated 15 July 2025
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City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha

City Hub mobile entertainment arrives in Baha
  • The event has already attracted attention in earlier stops, including Jazan, Alkhobar and Hail

RIYADH: Following the success of the City Hub event in Buraidah, Qassim region, the initiative has now reached Baha as part of a nationwide mobile entertainment tour.

The event has already attracted attention in earlier stops, including Jazan, Alkhobar and Hail, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Organized by the General Entertainment Authority, it runs in Baha until July 25, offering entertainment for all segments of society.

The initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify entertainment and tourism, and improve quality of life, the SPA added.

City Hub in Baha offers live shows, electronic games, educational corners, family zones and food stalls. The event runs daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., combining local identity with modern elements to enhance the visitor experience.

The opening day saw strong attendance from residents and visitors, who enjoyed experiences new to the area. Tickets are available through the WeBook app, which also provides the daily schedule and show details, the SPA reported.

City Hub has become a successful model for mobile entertainment across the Kingdom, tailoring each edition to the host city’s character.

Its arrival in Baha reflects the authority’s commitment to diversifying entertainment, promoting local content, and fostering jobs and investment to improve quality of life.