Latest news with #DiriyahStorytellingFestival
Leaders
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Diriyah Storytelling Festival Tantalizes Children
The Diriyah Storytelling Festival has attracted several children and inspired them to love reading and storytelling, Arab News reported. Themed 'Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,' the festival was part of a vast array of events in Diriyah Season. The festival transformed the region into a magical world for children satisfying their curiosity and meeting their expectations. Diriyah Storytelling Festival Amuses Children During their tour to the Story Village, young children listened to interesting tales told by professionals. Meanwhile, Shadow Shows took young visitors to realms inspired by the book 'Kalila and Dimna.' Therefore, they had a unique opportunity to experience a new visual show combining both art with literature. Diriyah Storytelling Festival Amuses Children Interestingly, the festival offered children a unique opportunity to showcase their artistic skills through the Story and Drawing Corner. They also transformed stories into paintings that deeply mirrored their creative visions. The festival featured various interactive performance displaying historic tales inspired by Diriyah's rich heritage in a theatrical, interactive format to engage the little children. Related Topics: Diriyah Season Presents 'Souk Wonders' …..Enchanting Cultural Journey James Turrell Joins Wadi AlFann at AlUla Arts Festival 2025 Diriyah Storytelling Festival to Offer Stunning Literature Activities Children Explore Coffee Culture, Heritage at Saudi International Exhibition Short link : Post Views: 8 Related Stories
Arab News
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Diriyah literary festival inspires children
RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival, which concluded on Feb. 8, aimed to encourage a love of reading and storytelling in young children. As part of a series of events in Diriyah Season boasting the theme 'Entertain Your Cultural Curiosity,' the festival transformed Diriyah into a magical world for children, one in which they moved between pavilions. In the Story Village, young visitors listened to inspiring tales told by professionals. Shadow Shows, meanwhile, transported children to realms inspired by the book 'Kalila and Dimna,' offering a unique visual experience that blended art with literature. Children also had the opportunity to show their artistic skills in the Story and Drawing Corner in which the little ones transformed stories into paintings that reflected their creative visions. The interactive performances were no less captivating, presenting historic tales inspired by Diriyah's rich heritage in a theatrical, interactive format that encouraged children to actively engage. This added a rich educational and cultural dimension to their experience. The initiative was organized to strengthen the Kingdom's role as a hub for arts and literature on the world stage.
Arab News
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia's literary heritage
RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival brings together literary enthusiasts, publishers, and celebrated authors and provides a deep dive into Saudi Arabia's rich storytelling traditions and evolving literary landscape. The event, which lasts until Feb. 8, features panel discussions, book signings, live performances, and interactive experiences. The festival is attracting a diverse audience, including international visitors who engage with Saudi authors to explore locally published books. One of the standout sessions, 'The Roots of the Tale,' featured renowned Saudi novelist and journalist Badryah Al-Bishr, who spoke about the transformation of storytelling into modern literature. Al-Bishr said: 'My participation was all about tracing the wisdom of storytelling to the structure of novels. Since I studied folk tales in my master's degree while also writing novels, I explored how traditional narratives evolved before written literature. 'Societies have always needed this literary and cultural influence — it serves deep and indirect functions, whether in raising children, comforting sorrowful hearts, or inspiring values and ideals. 'This is what we now call 'soft power.' Storytelling has always shaped minds, transferring across cultures like the tale of 'Cinderella,' which exists in Russia, Europe, and even Najd.' A key aspect of the festival is its focus on showcasing Saudi literature to international visitors, offering translations and accessible editions of local works. Modi Al-Dossari, from the Tashkeel Publishing House, noted the growing interest from foreign attendees, and added: 'We're working on something big here at the festival. 'The visitors are quite diverse, including many foreigners eager to learn about our culture. 'At Tashkeel we have Saudi books and stories translated into English, and they are among our bestsellers. It's amazing to see our culture being shared in such a smooth and accessible way.' The availability of translated Saudi literature has helped bridge the gap between local storytelling and a global readership, highlighting the richness of Saudi narratives and their universal appeal. Beyond book discussions, the Diriyah Storytelling Festival provides visitors with a fully immersive cultural experience, allowing them to explore the historic and artistic depth of Diriyah. Entry to the festival costs SR40 ($10.66) per person, which includes access to all three locations — Bujairi Terrace, Bab Samhan Hotel, and Al-Zuhayra — as well as shuttle transportation between the venues and parking areas. The festival also features restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops, making it an ideal destination for both literary and cultural exploration. Hind Mohammed, who was attending, said: 'I loved visiting Diriyah, especially Bujairi Terrace. It's such a beautiful and enriching experience, with a vibrant atmosphere, and fantastic cafes, restaurants, and children's play areas.' Visitors can witness the breathtaking sunset over Diriyah's landscape — and see a combination of golden light, traditional architecture and peaceful surroundings creating a spectacular and serene experience. Saudi Arabia's literary scene has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with increasing global recognition for local authors and their works. Events like the Diriyah Storytelling Festival contribute to this transformation by providing a platform for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.
