Princess Sora bint Saud launches interactive book celebrating Riyadh

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 October 2025
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Princess Sora bint Saud launches interactive book celebrating Riyadh

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
  • Part of Sora Collection, book spotlights history, culture
  • Born from ‘deep love’ of homeland, she tells Arab News

RIYADH: Princess Sora bint Saud recently unveiled “Riyadh,” the first book in her Sora Collection, which is a series of interactive publications designed to highlight the culture, history, and heritage of Saudi Arabia’s regions.

The luxury edition combines storytelling, illustration, and creative design, offering readers an immersive experience of the Saudi capital.

The book serves as a comprehensive guide to Riyadh, showcasing historic landmarks including Al-Masmak Fortress and the UNESCO-listed Diriyah, alongside modern icons such as the Kingdom Tower and Al-Faisaliah Tower.




“The book is just the starting point — there’s so much more that will be added; it’s going to be more of a lifestyle brand, but all relatable to the 13 regions.” (Supplied)

It also highlights traditional markets and heritage dishes including “haneeni,” “matazeez,” and “marqooq,” desert activities, and cultural experiences that capture the city’s unique character.

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. I began the project back in 2022, and it took time to bring together all the right elements, from the concept and design to storytelling … to present it in the best way possible.

“The idea came from realizing that there wasn’t anything simple yet meaningful that covered all regions of Saudi Arabia in a creative and accessible way. I wanted to create something that could serve as a starting point for readers, especially children, to build their curiosity and discoveries from.

FASTFACTS

• Part of the Sora Collection, book spotlights history, culture.

• Born from ‘deep love’ of homeland, she tells Arab News.

“Each book is designed to inspire, while also living beautifully as a coffee table piece that invites conversation, pride, and connection to our culture.

“The book is just the starting point — there’s so much more that will be added; it’s going to be more of a lifestyle brand, but all relatable to the 13 regions.”

Crafted with historical accuracy and aesthetic appeal, the books provide an educational yet engaging experience for readers of all ages.

The launch comes amid Saudi Arabia’s cultural and tourism renaissance under Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a leading global destination.

Princess Sora’s series is expected to attract wide interest from readers, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts.

It presents “Riyadh” as more than a book but as a starting to discover Saudi Arabia in all its richness and diversity.

 


Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp

Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp
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Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp

Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp
  • Sessions cover design, scenario writing, sound, esports
  • Best industry training ever received, say 10 participants

TOKYO: Emerging Saudi Arabia gamers recently received specialized training at a “Japan Game Business Bootcamp” in Tokyo.

The program was run by the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, in partnership with the Saudi Digital Academy under the Kingdom’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The three-week JCCME program ran from Oct. 13 to 31, bringing together 10 developers, including four women, selected by the SDA for their ambition to turn professional.

The bootcamp aimed to equip participants, who had already mastered the basics of game creation, with the technical and business skills needed to work independently. Training was led by leading figures from Japan’s game development and business sectors.

The 2025 edition was officially recognized as a commemorative event marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

With support from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Japan, the program concluded with a final pitch session attended by the Kingdom’s ambassador Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, during which participants presented their own game projects.

Entertainment is a key pillar of the Japan–Saudi Vision 2030 plan, developed by both governments.

In line with this framework, Saudi Arabia launched its National Gaming and Esports Strategy in 2022, identifying the industry as a major national growth sector.

To support this goal, the JCCME, working with Ludimus Inc., created the bootcamp to tap into Japan’s gaming expertise and train the next generation of Saudi creators.

The three-week course combined lectures, studio visits, and hands-on mentoring.

Twenty sessions covered topics including game design, development planning, XR games, scenario writing, sound design and esports.

Instructors included producers of hit Japanese titles, virtual reality pioneers and university lecturers, sparking lively exchanges between participants and mentors.

The developers toured leading Japanese gaming companies and startups, gaining firsthand insight into the country’s creative ecosystem and meeting professionals behind global hits.

Participants refined their own game projects throughout the program. On the final day, they pitched their games and business plans at the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“I learned about the history of the Japanese gaming industry and how to collaborate with it,” said one participant.

“The best experience was visiting the studios and talking directly to developers,” another added.

Others described the program as the best training they had received, praising both the technical insights and the networking opportunities it provided.