Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards
The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched the fifth edition of the National Cultural Awards, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to recognizing and honoring outstanding achievements in the Kingdom's cultural sector.
Nominations for cultural sector awards will soon open to the public and the cultural community. Submissions will be accepted via the dedicated online platform. This will be followed by evaluation and judging processes later begins, culminating in the announcement of winners at the final ceremony.
According to the ministry, this annual initiative celebrates creative excellence and contributions across a wide range of cultural disciplines. Through a growing portfolio of awards, the program highlights both individual and institutional efforts that have helped shape and elevate the national cultural landscape.
For the 2025 edition, two new award categories have been introduced: the Handicrafts Award and the Cultural Media Award. The Handicrafts Award coincides with the ministry's designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, spotlighting impactful contributions to traditional crafts, whether in production techniques or cultural knowledge. This category includes one international award that honors initiatives that improve livelihoods and create job opportunities, according to SPA.
The Cultural Media Award recognizes significant work by individuals or organizations in developing cultural discourse and showcasing the cultural sector through various media formats, including print, audio, and digital platforms. It also considers contributions such as literary reviews, cultural reporting, and consistent engagement with cultural events and movements.
These additions join a distinguished set of existing awards: five major prizes reviewed by specialized committees, alongside 11 others across a total of 16 cultural sub-sectors. Together, they reflect the ministry's commitment to fostering creative talent and honoring cultural heritage.
The National Cultural Awards reflect the ministry's commitment to supporting cultural production and honoring those enriching the Kingdom's artistic and creative heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia surpasses 116m tourists in 2024, exceeds goal for 2nd year
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed 116 million tourists in 2024, exceeding its annual visitor target for the second year in a row, the official data showed. According to the Ministry of Tourism's latest annual statistical report, the figure includes 29.7 million inbound tourists, an 8 percent increase year on year, and 86.2 million domestic trips, up 5 percent from 2023. The milestone reflects the continued acceleration of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, which positions tourism as a central driver of economic diversification. After surpassing its original 100 million visitor goal six years ahead of schedule in 2023, Saudi Arabia has revised its ambitions upward, now aiming to attract 150 million tourists annually by 2030. This figure is split between 70 million international and 80 million domestic visitors. In a post on X, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: 'The 2024 Annual Statistical Report showcases the sector's remarkable growth and its role in enabling Saudi Vision2030, a record performance achieved with the support and guidance of the Kingdom's visionary leadership.' Total tourism spending in 2024 hit SR283.8 billion ($75.6 billion), with inbound tourists contributing SR168.5 billion, up 19 percent from 2023, while domestic tourist expenditure reached SR115.3 billion, a 1 percent rise. 'The tourism sector continued to achieve record growth, reaffirming its transformation into a key driver of economic development and a fundamental pillar in advancing and diversifying the national economy,' the minister said. Inbound tourism also reached a record monthly peak in March with 3.2 million visitors. The average international tourist stayed 19 nights and spent SR5,669 per trip. A standout development in 2024 was the continued rise in non-religious tourism, now representing 59 percent of inbound visits compared to 44 percent in 2019. Leisure and holiday travel topped this category, with related spending reaching SR36.4 billion. Makkah remained the top destination, drawing 17.4 million overnight visitors, and Egypt was the leading source market with 3.2 million arrivals. Regional analysis revealed that Asia and the Pacific accounted for the largest share of inbound tourists, at 33 percent, followed by the Middle East and North Africa at 28 percent, and the Gulf Cooperation Council at 27 percent. Europe contributed 8 percent, while both the Americas and Africa each made up 2 percent of total visitors. The sustained growth reflects the Kingdom's continued focus on developing its tourism infrastructure and global outreach. The ministry noted that this report highlights the exceptional and accelerated growth achieved by the sector through targeted marketing campaigns and support programs, contributing to the sector's record-breaking performance.
Argaam
2 hours ago
- Argaam
Saudi Arabia reports 116M tourist arrivals with SAR 284B in spending in 2024
Saudi Arabia received 115.9 million domestic and inbound tourists during 2024, an increase of 6% compared to 2023, who spent about SAR 284 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Domestic tourists accounted for nearly 74%, or 86.2 million, of the total, while international tourists represented the remaining 26%, or about 29.7 million.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Pavilion at Osaka Expo attracts a million visitors
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has welcomed more than a million visitors since opening on April 13. Designed by Foster + Partners, the pavilion, which the second largest after Japan, is a display of the Kingdom's culture and heritage. It features more than 700 events, including live performances and dance shows. The award-winning pavilion shares Saudi Arabia's transformative journey under Vision 2030, highlighting the kingdom's innovation and technological modernization. Additionally, the pavilion offers an exciting visitor journey by means of seven immersive rooms and galleries where guests can see up close the Kingdom's global impact. 'We are honored to mark this significant milestone and the Saudi Arabia pavilion's success in reaching one million visitors, which underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to showing its transformation under Vision 2030 and inviting the world to experience its heritage and foster cultural exchange,' said Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Japan and commissioner general of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. 'As we move towards reaching the next million, the pavilion remains committed to inspiring visitors to learn about Saudi Arabia's achievements, and we look forward to deepening impact and welcoming the world. Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka embodies our strong relationship with Japan, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. 'As we journey towards Expo 2030 in Riyadh, we will leave a legacy here in Osaka. Expo 2030 Riyadh will be a testament to Saudi Arabia's transformation as a global destination — and we are eager to welcome the world to Saudi Arabia,' he added. The full program of events for the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
