SAUDI ARABIA

Vision 2030 a new beginning for Saudi culture: Al-Awwad

October 07, 2017
Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad at the  activities of the Saudi Cultural Week in Russia, Thursday. — SPA
Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad at the  activities of the Saudi Cultural Week in Russia, Thursday. — SPA

Saudi Gazette report

THE Kingdom’s Vision 2030 has set a new groundbreaking for Saudi culture, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad said on Thursday.

The vision is deemed as one of the engines of cultural development of human being into a wider horizons, he said.

The minister also noted that culture is one of the basic elements that supports partnerships between countries. “Culture also helps in disseminating human knowledge and exchanging experiences and expertise. This grants dialogue and cultural exchange wider horizons for interaction and positive influence between peoples,” he said.

Al-Awwad made the remarks after jointly inaugurating with the Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky the activities of the Saudi Cultural Week in Russia being held in Moscow on the occasion of the historic visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister said Vision 2030 aims to develop the culture and information sector and to create a cultural industry in the fields of arts, literature, theater and cinema, as well as to make culture as a force influencing human interaction.

King’s visit to Russia, Al-Awwad said, is the first highest level state visit. “We thank the Russian Federation for the warm welcome, hospitality, and attention.” He said this visit by King Salman takes the two countries to an important phase in their relations.

The minister considered Russia to be a pivotal country not only in the Mideast, but the whole world. “The visit seeks to strengthen bilateral relations in the entire gamut of political, economic, commercial, agricultural, military, educational and cultural fields. Several agreements have been signed in key areas such as energy, investment, environment, agricultural cooperation, military and educational agreements, cultural executive program, and opening of a media office in Moscow.”

Al-Awwad noted that the relations between the Kingdom and Russia are characterized by the support of King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense. “The utmost care given by the leadership emphasizes the deep historical ties between the two peoples and enhances communications with the Russian leadership and people, and all these deepened cooperation between the two countries in all fields, including the cultural field,” he said.

According to Al-Awwad, the cultural week features an exhibition of visual arts, which showcases a gallery of works of art, paintings, photographic images and aesthetic sculptures that reflect the growth of creativity and artistic movement in Saudi Arabia. There are music bands and folklore shows featuring the rich Saudi cultural heritage. “We also share virtual reality experiences through a 3D video that takes a visitor to the Kingdom and enables him to see the country’s heritage, archeological and tourism sites. In addition, three short Saudi films highlighting the culture, social life and changes in the Kingdom are being presented. We also offer examples of popular Saudi cuisine that give visitors a chance to learn about the daily life we ​​live in Saudi Arabia,” the minister added.

While inviting the Russian people to visit the Saudi Cultural Week, the minister informed that Russia will be the guest of honor at the International Book Fair in Riyadh next March.

On his part the Russian Minister Medinsky expressed pleasure to host the Saudi cultural event, wishing it every success. The opening ceremony included musical and folklore performances highlighting the richness of Saudi heritage.

The activities of the Saudi Cultural Week includes a presentation which has four segments: spiritual art, social art, socio-economic art and landscapes, as well as presenting works by a group of Saudi artists, including both young and the elderly artists.

A seminar titled “Moscow – Riyadh: prospects for cooperation,” held on Friday, was another highlight of the exhibition. A group of prominent strategists, intellectuals and cultural figures discussed various avenues of cooperation between the two countries. A two-day Saudi Cinema Nights started on Friday with screening of three Saudi films. These included “Raheel,” an award-winning short film focusing on combating extremism among young people. Another film “Shakwah” focused on the suffering of a poor health worker because of the hardship of life. The third film is "Blessing to be nobody," which won the best film award at the Dubai International Film Festival.


October 07, 2017
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