Category: Arts & Culture

Riyadh: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has issued the Eid Al-Fitr Events 2024 Booklet, featuring a wide range of activities such as fireworks displays, music concerts, theatrical performances, and more. The events are set to take place in various regions of the Kingdom.

The booklet is available for viewing and downloading through the following link: https://t.co/NjW38iuUYz.

To celebrate Eid, fireworks will light up the sky in the Kingdom’s regions at 9 pm every evening, beginning on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, to mark the joyous occasion.

A series of theatrical performances featuring Arab actors will be showcased. On April 14, the Mohammed Alali Theater in Riyadh will present the play “The Neighbor”, while Jeddah will host the play “The Red Box” at the Batterjee Medical College Theater, on April 13. Meanwhile, the Alasala Colleges Theater in Dammam will host on April 14 the play “Ors Aljen”.

The Eid events will also include eight music concerts held in different cities of the Kingdom.

As par
t of the Eid festivities, Boulevard City and Boulevard World will be open from 4 pm to 2 am and 1 am, respectively, offering a delightful experience throughout the Eid period. The Via Riyadh area will be open to visitors from 8 pm to 3 am.

Meanwhile, Jeddah is hosting the “Eid Destination” event at Jeddah Promenade for 10 days. This event features distinctive folk shows, musical concerts, entertaining performances, and interactive activities.

GEA said the theme for Eid Al-Fitr this year is “Your Eid Is among Your Family and Loved Ones”. The theme reflects GEA’s efforts to foster communication and spread happiness among Saudi residents and visitors.

This Eid theme captures the essence of the celebration and the joy shared by individuals, families, and even businesses. It is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes and age groups, ensuring an inclusive Eid experience for everyone

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, In the presence of His Highness Shaikh Turki bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairman of the National Council for Arts, and His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, Vice-President of the Supreme Council for Environment and the Deputy Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), the REHC today held the first race for this season, 2023-2024, at its racecourse in Raffa, Sakhir.

Their Highnesses and equestrian sports fans also attended the eight-round race which was held over the cups of the late His Highness Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa.

HH Shaikh Turki bin Rashid presented the trophy of the eighth round to Assistant trainer, Paul Smith, while HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid honoured trainer, Allen Smith, the winner of the fourth round.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Rashid bin Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa crowned assistant trainer, Mahmood Ali, the winner of the first round, owner Hussain Al-Afoo, the winner of the second round, and His Highness Shaikh Sultan Al Deen bin Mohammad bin Salman Al Khalifa, the winner of the fifth round.

Meanwhile, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Turki bin Rashid Al Khalifa presented the trophies of the fourth and sixth rounds to trainer Allen Smith and owner Hadi Al Afoo.

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa crowned trainer Allen Smith, the winner of the third round.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Under the auspices of Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi, Minister of Information, the third edition of the Bahrain Cinema Festiva will kick off on Thursday, October 5, and run until October 9.

Organised by the Bahrain Cinema Club under the theme “Celebrating the Art of Film-making”, the Bahrain Cinema Festival 2023 is sponsored by Beyon and the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), the festival’s strategic partners.

Commenting, the Minister of Information stated that the third edition of the festival aims to present an exceptional cinematographic event that celebrates young Bahraini talent and places the Kingdom on the map of film festivals in the region.

Dr. Al Noaimi stressed the important role of such festivals in preserving cinemas as a cultural tributary, and promoting artistic exchange and understanding among different countries and cultures, paying tribute to Beyon company and NBB for supporting the festival and national efforts across many fields.

He indicated that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a leader in this field, as it organised the first film festival in the Arabian Gulf region in 2000, which was the “Arab Film Festival,” paving the way for holding similar festivals in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The Minister of Information also affirmed that the kingdom boasts all the requirements necessary for the success of the film industry, which is one of the most important and promising sectors of the creative economy, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

This requires providing this sector with knowledge, empowering the distinguished Bahraini talent in all fields related to the film industry to enhance local production that reflects the Kingdom’s culture, identity and historical heritage, as well as enhancing openness to pioneering cinematic experiences in the region, he said, highlighting, at the same time, the importance of the role played by the private sector to achieve the goals of developing this promising sector.

The Bahrain Film Festival 2023 will feature a number of specialised workshops and seminars in the field of filmmaking, in cooperation with leading regional and international entities, in addition to film screenings and accompanying events in the presence of an elite group of films stars from the GCC countries and the Arab world.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been awarded AL BAWANI CO. LTD and UCC Saudi joint venture contract to build the new entertainment destination in Yanbu; construction is already underway, a SEVEN press release said.

With an investment value of over SAR1.1 billion, SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Yanbu is located along the seafront promenade on Al Nawras Island. The entertainment destination will offer visitors a wide variety of experiences designed to engage all age groups from the local community and the surrounding areas.

According to the press release, Yanbu is designed by Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm. The architecture of this entertainment destination is inspired by the city’s heritage; it is a historic port located on the Kingdom’s western coast on the Red Sea. The design is a celebration of water, with elements of the beach and the sea threaded throughout.

Chairman of SEVEN Abdullah AlDawood said: “Our entertainment destination in Yanbu will provide residents and visitors with a wealth of new and exciting experiences while supporting the city’s rapidly developing entertainment sector. SEVEN’s entertainment destination is inspired by Yanbu’s beautiful natural seascape, embodying the city’s rich history as one of the oldest ports in the Kingdom.”

According to AL BAWANI CO. LTD. Chairman and Group CEO Fakher Al Shawaf, “SEVEN’s investment will help Yanbu’s growing population meet its entertainment needs. AL BAWANI is well-positioned to deliver this unique destination to meet the ever-growing aspirations of Saudis.”

UCC Holding President Ramez Al-Khayyat said the company will “leverage our extensive experience in building entertainment destinations to deliver the project on time, to the highest international standards”.

SEVEN Yanbu, the press release said, will be home to a highly immersive carnival-themed family entertainment center with world class rides. Other attractions will include a Clip ‘n Climb facility providing 30 climbing challenges, a junior family entertainment center, a state-of-the-art 10-screen cinema, a futuristic 10-lane bowling experience, a fun-filled indoor golf course, and a wide variety of local and international retail and dining experiences.

SEVEN is investing more than SAR50 billion to build 21 entertainment destinations to provide unique and innovative world-class entertainment experiences; it has secured, global partnerships from the sector.

SEVEN announced recently that it had begun construction at its entertainment destinations in Al Hamra districts of Riyadh and Tabuk. Its upcoming projects are located in 14 cities across the Kingdom: Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jazan, Buraidah and Tabuk.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) is mandated to invest in, develop and operate entertainment destinations, and create a sustainable entertainment sector that caters to the needs of all in Saudi Arabia, according to the highest and latest international standards

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The 4th Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) will kick off on Tuesday under the theme “Stories and Beginnings” and with the participation of Arab and international filmmakers.

AIFF will screen 56 films which include 4 films shown for the first time in the world and 11 films for the first time in the region.

Director of AIFF Nada Doumani stated in a press conference that the festival will continue the same approach it started with by focusing on debut works, especially by Arab filmmakers.

A new award will be presented in the festival which is the International Federation of Film Critics Award for the best Arab documentary film, she said.

Doumani added that AIFF will include a category for short films by experienced directors who are out of competition.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) inaugurates Bahrain Summer Festival, in its 15th edition, on Sunday.

This year’s edition will embrace a new identity inspired by the nature of Bahrain and its ancient cultural heritage.

The festival presents an extensive programme of cultural activity, which includes a series of workshops presented by artists, craftsmen and specialists in cultural centers around the Kingdom.

The cultural hall performances will start on July 6 with the circus show coming from Australia to Bahrain, “All Stars”, at 8:0pm. The event will be held over three consecutive days will and admission will be free.

As for the first week of the festival, it will include many workshops on with handicrafts, plastic arts, traditional arts and many others.

The public, families and children, can register for the workshops and obtain more information by visiting BACA’s website.

Source: Bahrain News Agency