This was disclosed by Ambassador Luigi Narbone, head of the Riyadh-based European Union Delegation to the GCC, in an interview here yesterday. Narbone will introduce the “Europe Month in Saudi Arabia” program, organized by the EU Delegation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information and the embassies of the EU states. He said that the Riyadh city would witness a wide range of diverse and stimulating cultural events for full one month beginning today.
Spelling out the details of the cultural programs to be staged as part of the “Europe Month”, Narbone said that May 2012 will be celebrated as Europe month. The EU embassies in Riyadh and the EU delegation will hold exhibitions, concerts and a film festival. The exhibition of photos selected from the collection of about 400 Saudi photographers is a major event titled as “Europe seen through Saudi eyes”. “We have selected 65 top quality photographs, which will be displayed for viewing at the exhibition today,” said Narbone, adding that eight photographers will be awarded during the ceremony.
This photography competition was open for Saudi nationals who were invited to submit personal photos of landscapes, architectural features and people taken in the countries of the European Union, while travelling, studying, working or living in the European Union, he explained. Images have been judged on the basis of originality, technical excellence, composition, artistic merit and overall impact by a panel of European and Saudi officials, he added.
This is in addition to several other programs including an exhibition to be presented by a British artist on May 25. “Two concerts will also be organized as part of the celebrations,” said Narbone, adding that a French concert will be staged on May 18 and a German concert on May 20 at King Fahd Cultural Center. The German concert will feature world music from Germany and Saudi Arabia with the Kreusch brothers and local musicians from Riyadh and Jeddah.
To this end, it is important to note that Johannes Tonio Kreusch is one of Germany’s best known classical guitarists. His brother Cornelius Claudio Kreusch belongs to the country’s leading jazz pianists. They will perform together with Arab musicians, who will play classical Arabian instruments like qanun, nay and tabla on this occcasion.
“The ensuing musical dialogue between Western and Oriental styles is certain to produce a fascinating sound experience and enthuse the audience,” said Narbone.
The film festival will present 10 European films at various embassies in Riyadh between May 12 and June 3. He pointed out that several cultural events were recently organized in Qatar and the UAE also. Speaking about the growing relations between the EU and the GCC, Narbone pointed out that “a meeting of the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network will conclude today in Doha.”
“The two sides have identified specific areas of cooperation in the field of energy and more concrete shape will be given to this cooperation after the Doha meeting,” he added. He also pointed out that Kristalina Georgieva, EU commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, will visit Riyadh later this month to attend the meeting of the Friends of Yemen.
He said that “the joint action plan between the EU and GCC (2010 to 2013) is moving with full speed”. A seminar on railways, to be mainly attended by GCC officials and decision makers, will be organized by the EU in Brussels shortly. He said that the EU and the GCC are focusing on more intensified efforts to forge closer ties in fields like railways, environment, energy, trade, power, water, nuclear safety, industry and education.
The relationship between the EU and the GCC is governed by a cooperation agreement signed in 1988 as well as the joint action program agreed in 2010. The EU has also been committed to sharing its experiences of economic integration, particularly on monetary union, with the GCC which is undergoing a similar process to that of the European Union. The European Union in the countries of the Gulf is represented by the Delegation in Riyadh.
