Latest news with #AnibalGomezToledo


Arab News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Riyadh deputy governor receives Mexico's ambassador
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Riyadh, received Anibal Gomez Toledo, Mexico's ambassador to the Kingdom, in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ambassador visited to say farewell on completion of his tenure in the Kingdom. Prince Mohammed praised the ambassador's efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries and wished him success.


Arab News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Envoys share sweet memories as they bid farewell to Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: A farewell ceremony for the outgoing ambassadors of Australia, Cyprus, Hungry and Mexico took place at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter on Monday. The event was hosted by the dean of the diplomatic corps accredited to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, who commended the envoys' service, commitment and contribution to diplomacy at both bilateral and multilateral level. 'During their tenure they did a good job, serving to expand bilateral relations between their countries and Saudi Arabia to new horizons of success and prosperity. I would like to extend them all the best in their life and future endeavors," said Bamakhrama, who is also the Djibouti ambassador. He mentioned his involvement with them at occasions such as meeting the Riyadh governor during the holy month of Ramadan, adding: 'It was good sharing memories with you, we will miss you.' Mexican ambassador Anibal Gomez Toledo thanked the dean and the Saudi government for their support during his time in the Kingdom. 'You have been very supportive, and a good friend. It has been an honor for me to be here with you all,' he said, praising the warm Saudi hospitality he had enjoyed. 'I think the Middle East has been a very humanitarian experience for me,' he said, adding the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030 was an inspiration to many other countries. Australian ambassador Mark Donovan said he had enjoyed his time in Riyadh and the good relationships he had experienced. 'It was always very professional and very polite. I consider myself lucky to be here,' he said. 'So my whole experience was pleasant. I will miss the Saudi hospitality, the warmth of working here with you all. Technology today allows us to keep in touch much easier than it did 30 years ago — I'm on Facebook, anybody can find me. I wish you all the best.' Cypriot ambassador Alexis Phedonos-Vadet said: 'I am very grateful to be with you all (in) such a wonderful place with wonderful people. Me and my wife thank you all for the support, friendship and cooperation. It has been an incredible journey.' Hungary's ambassador, Balazs Selmeci, said he appreciated the opportunity to get together with everyone before saying goodbye to the Kingdom. 'It really has been a privilege to be a part of what has happened here, the ongoing transformation. There are going to be some good times.' He also thanked Saudi Arabia for supporting and helping countries evacuating citizens from Sudan. Both Saudi citizens and the nationals of other friendly countries were evacuated in mid-2023, with Royal Saudi Navy vessels and Royal Saudi Air Force planes playing a key part. Also attending the farewell ceremony were the heads of various missions, ambassadors and other Saudi officials.


Arab News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Information Minister: 250,000 pilgrims have arrived through Makkah Route Initiative
Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in 'Tiny Homes' RIYADH: Mexican artist Erika Place has been living in Riyadh for 14 years and through her work highlights key elements of Saudi and Mexican culture. In her pieces created using recycled materials, Place combines key elements of both cultures including Mexican-inspired colors, architecture and major Saudi landmarks such as the Kingdom and Faisaliah towers. 'It is in Saudi Arabia that I got inspired,' Place told Arab News at her recent exhibition 'Tiny Homes,' hosted at the Mexican ambassador's residence in Riyadh. 'I have been here 14 years and I consider this place my home, and I feel at home. I do miss Mexico but I don't feel that I am not home here,' she said. Born in Guadalajara, Place moved to Europe at a young age. She always had a passion for art but never realized her talents until later in life when she moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 2012. In the Kingdom Place's artistic vision was realised, and she began to draw inspiration from the country's landscapes, architecture and people. 'I made this my home and the experience has been beautiful,' she told Arab News. Mexico's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez-Toledo, hosted the exhibition and gave his perspective on Place's art. 'She is a self-taught artist, and what she has been doing is incredible. After many years of practice and discipline, the outcome is noteworthy,' Gomez-Toledo said. In her art, Place takes discarded small boxes and turns them into tiny homes and tiny villages, repurposing materials that would have otherwise end up in a landfill. Place believes that this is her way to help the environment, by reducing waste and giving new purpose to products that can still be useful. She takes these recycled materials, paints them, and gives them a new life that reflects Saudi landscapes and culture through the bright and vibrant colors of Mexico. 'For me the Mexican touch is the colors. In Mexico, we have colors everywhere, the Mexican touch is putting colors in my paintings,' Place said. During his remarks, the Gomez-Toledo said: 'Generally speaking, after using something, you throw it away and forget about it. However, can you imagine how many tonnes of waste there are worldwide?' Gomez-Toledo underlined that, according to the World Bank, as of 2020 there were 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated annually and that by 2050, global waste generation is expected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes a year. 'The global production of paper and cardboard waste is over 400 million tonnes annually, paper and cardboard are the materials Erika has used to create tiny homes,' he said. In her works, Place also depicts scenes of Saudi life, portraying people dressed in traditional thobes and abayas. Through her art, Place invites visitors to explore the diversity of Saudi Arabia through the tiny cardboard homes she creates.


Arab News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in ‘Tiny Homes'
RIYADH: Mexican artist Erika Place has been living in Riyadh for 14 years and through her work highlights key elements of Saudi and Mexican culture. In her pieces created using recycled materials, Place combines key elements of both cultures including Mexican-inspired colors, architecture and major Saudi landmarks such as the Kingdom and Faisaliah towers. 'It is in Saudi Arabia that I got inspired,' Place told Arab News at her recent exhibition 'Tiny Homes,' hosted at the Mexican ambassador's residence in Riyadh. 'I have been here 14 years and I consider this place my home, and I feel at home. I do miss Mexico but I don't feel that I am not home here,' she said. Born in Guadalajara, Place moved to Europe at a young age. She always had a passion for art but never realized her talents until later in life when she moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 2012. In the Kingdom Place's artistic vision was realised, and she began to draw inspiration from the country's landscapes, architecture and people. 'I made this my home and the experience has been beautiful,' she told Arab News. Mexico's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez-Toledo, hosted the exhibition and gave his perspective on Place's art. 'She is a self-taught artist, and what she has been doing is incredible. After many years of practice and discipline, the outcome is noteworthy,' Gomez-Toledo said. In her art, Place takes discarded small boxes and turns them into tiny homes and tiny villages, repurposing materials that would have otherwise end up in a landfill. Place believes that this is her way to help the environment, by reducing waste and giving new purpose to products that can still be useful. She takes these recycled materials, paints them, and gives them a new life that reflects Saudi landscapes and culture through the bright and vibrant colors of Mexico. 'For me the Mexican touch is the colors. In Mexico, we have colors everywhere, the Mexican touch is putting colors in my paintings,' Place said. During his remarks, the Gomez-Toledo said: 'Generally speaking, after using something, you throw it away and forget about it. However, can you imagine how many tonnes of waste there are worldwide?' Gomez-Toledo underlined that, according to the World Bank, as of 2020 there were 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated annually and that by 2050, global waste generation is expected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes a year. 'The global production of paper and cardboard waste is over 400 million tonnes annually, paper and cardboard are the materials Erika has used to create tiny homes,' he said. In her works, Place also depicts scenes of Saudi life, portraying people dressed in traditional thobes and abayas. Through her art, Place invites visitors to explore the diversity of Saudi Arabia through the tiny cardboard homes she creates.