Latest news with #KingAbdulazizCenterforWorldCulture
Leaders
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Ithra Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with 31 Festivities
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is set to celebrate Eid Al-Adha through 31 events over three days, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Ithra will provide visitors of all ages with a vast array of entertaining and cultural activities such as music, storytelling, games and workshops. Several activities will be in Arabic but are accessible to all people under the theme of 'Ribbons of Giving.' Ithra Interestingly, the center will host a concert at Ithra Theater by Egyptian oud virtuoso Islam Al-Qasabgy, who is known for mixing classical Arabic music with modern styles. Meanwhile, Ithra Cinema will display the Japanese manga character Chibi Maruko-chan and the Japanese animated fantasy movie 'Kiki's Delivery Service' with Arabic subtitles. Moreover, visitors will have an unmissable opportunity to visit various stunning exhibitions at Ithra Museum, which focus on handicrafts and align with the 'Year of Handicrafts'. Ithra Other festive offerings involve a 96 km trek along the historic Hajj trail that shares many stories about persistence and generosity across generations. Visitors can also enjoy an interactive show titled 'A Melody from Every Land' which celebrates the cultural diversity of the Islamic world and reflects the different traditions of Eid Al-Adha. Guests can enter Ithra from 4 to 11 p.m. during the Eid celebrations for free. Only certain events are ticketed. Related Topics: Ithra Celebrates Gargee'an with Fun and Festivities Eid Al-Adha 2025: Saudi Arabia Announces 4-Day Holiday for Private Sector Ithra Showcases Magnificent Artworks at Art Week Riyadh Short link : Post Views: 33 Related Stories
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Ithra makes its mark at inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh in KSA
As Saudi Arabia asserts itself as a global hub for contemporary design, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) showcased its impact on the Saudi creative ecosystem at the inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, until May 23. From being a key voice in one of the fair's most thought-provoking panels to delivering the fair's only hands-on workshops, Ithra spotlighted the power of design to foster creativity, community and cross-cultural exchange. Three Ithra-backed installations were put on view. They were developed through Tanween, Ithra's flagship annual design event and included Adeem, a sculptural work reflecting on memory and materiality; IWAN Pavilion, an architectural structure rooted in Islamic design principles; and Open Segments, a modular exploration of space, movement, and reuse. Previously exhibited in Milan Design Week, Concentrico International Festival of Architecture and Design in Spain and Dubai Design Week, the works were shown in Riyadh to engage new audiences and spark fresh dialogue in the local design scene. In the workshops, Ithra offered sessions in silkscreen printing, sustainable packaging, and modular folding. Open to all ages and backgrounds, they invited participants to experiment with technique and explore design as a tool for creative problem-solving, reflecting Ithra's engagement-led approach to inspiring creativity. The workshops also offered participants opportunities to experiment with technique, explore form, and consider the role of design in addressing contemporary challenges. King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). As part of the public programme, Ithra's Head of Creativity & Innovation, Sultan Albadran, took part in a panel titled 'Fostering Community in a Fast-Forward Market'. Joined by representatives from the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Saudi Artisanal Company and Iwan Maktabi, Albadran discussed Ithra's role in strengthening the design community in Saudi Arabia. The session explored the importance of building a vibrant design community and emphasised the role of creative education, mentorship, institutional support and cross-sector collaboration, in empowering emerging designers as they shape the Kingdom's design landscape. Albadran touched upon Ithra's ongoing efforts to create opportunities for designers to push their creative boundaries, engage across disciplines, and explore new forms of expression. He spoke of the contributions made through Ithra's programmes such as Tanween, Ithra's annual flagship design event, which, he said, have created spaces where experimentation is not only encouraged, but translated into real-world outcomes. Some of the results were on view for audiences to experience at Downtown Design Riyadh, in the form of the three installations, each piece exploring the potential of design to bridge references from Saudi material culture with globally resonant ideas in spatial and product design. Reflecting on the fair, Albadran said: 'Ithra is honoured to contribute to the inaugural edition of Downtown Design Riyadh, a historic milestone in the Kingdom's emergence as a global cultural hub. Our participation reflects Ithra's role within this thriving ecosystem, nurturing creativity and offering meaningful opportunities for designers to engage with global audiences.' Albadran has been working in the culture and arts industry for more than 10 years, and was named an ambassador for the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism. He is a member of the Al Khobar Art Committee and the Saudi Society for Urban Sciences. Panelists at the panel discussion. He has contributed to developing the strategy of Ithra's Idea Lab and the Tanween creativity conference and has represented the Center at many local and regional events. Albadran has been selected as a trainer, creative arbitrator, jury member and developer of programmes such as the F1 in Schools national competition, hosted annually at Ithra. As the Saudi debut of the Middle East's leading contemporary design fair, Downtown Design Riyadh provided the ideal setting for Ithra to showcase its efforts towards building a rich creative ecosystem, with design serving as a medium for meaningful storytelling, material exploration, and dialogue across sectors and borders. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is a leading cultural destination located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It focuses on enriching people's lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programmes and initiatives. Since its opening in 2018, it has become a distinguished architectural landmark which houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children's Museum and Knowledge Tower. Tanween is Ithra's annual flagship design event, dedicated to motivating and inspiring a new generation of innovators. Through an industry-focused roster of workshops, courses, and a design competition, it offers professionals and enthusiasts, opportunities to network, discuss, and collaborate. It is a key pillar that cements Ithra's position as a beacon of culture that nurtures creativity and promotes cross-cultural exchange. Downtown Design Riyadh (May 20 — 23) at JAX District, marked the debut of Saudi Arabia's first fair dedicated to contemporary and quality design. Held in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture, it brought together a curated selection of international brands, regional studios, and emerging creative talent, reflecting the Kingdom's growing position in the global design landscape. The fair was complemented by a collateral programme, including creative installations, engaging activations and pop-up experiences, alongside a line-up of talks tailored to the local context and burgeoning design scene, catering to a high-calibre audience, from industry professionals and developers to local homeowners and design enthusiasts, looking to discover, buy or commission. JAX District has successfully transformed the industrial heritage site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, into a vibrant hub for artists and creatives. What was once known for unique mud-brick architecture, has now been reborn as the creative hub of the Saudi capital, beckoning talents to showcase their work. Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
‘Pinocchio' springs to life on Ithra stage in Dhahran
The most famous little wooden boy in the world sprang to life at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, on Thursday night. The story of Pinocchio, reimagined by the acclaimed La Baldufa theater company from Spain, breathed fresh energy from Saudi Arabia into the tale of the adventurous wooden toy who dreams of becoming a real boy. While the tale is widely known thanks to the Oscar-winning 1940 Disney film, 'Pinocchio' was originally a book by Italian author Carlo Collodi, first published in 1883. The story explores themes of poverty, education, fatherhood, and the search for truth. A day before the premiere at Ithra, the three creators and performers behind La Baldufa — Enric Blasi, Carlos Pijuan and Emiliano Pardo —hosted a masterclass on the stage, offering attendees a look into their creative process. The cast discussed their use of what they described as clowning and gestural theater to create works built around social awareness. Founded in Lleida, Spain, in 1996, La Baldufa has spent nearly three decades creating and crafting innovative performing arts productions for live audiences. Materials used on stage are intentionally simple: wood, paper and humans — aligning with their artistic vision. They said they customize each performance. In China, they would have text read aloud by a Chinese audience member on stage and use some of that language. And, as promised, they used Arabic in their Ithra production the following day. Audience participation plays a central role as a random member of the public is invited to read a passage on stage, adding to the sense of spontaneity and inclusivity. Part of the stage was constructed on-site. It is designed for easy transport assembly, using shadow spotlights, paper elements, and audio from the country where they perform, to ensure the production resonates with local audiences. The company has toured more than 40 countries, captivating children of all ages. Each performance is tied to its location. The show incorporates live voices from the audience. Dimmed lights, shifting silhouettes, and dynamic staging help shape the mood. Though music is typically performed live and acoustically, travel constraints required the use of pre-recorded audio featuring both upbeat and slower tempos. Sprinklings of Arabic delighted the crowd, especially when audience members were invited to participate. Two shy girls, initially hesitant, eventually found their voices once on stage — an emotional moment for those watching. Your experience may vary, but the message is clear: this is a show you could try to replicate at home — simple, but not simplistic. Eight-year-old Anwyn Frith told Arab News: 'I was excited about watching 'Pinocchio' tonight; my favorite part was when the man was building Pinocchio,' she said. But she offered a few suggestions: 'They were speaking everything in Arabic and I couldn't understand it. 'Maybe next time they can speak English a little bit more. And maybe add more of the 'Pinocchio' movie into it, like when he keeps lying and his nose grows and goes out.' La Baldufa's interpretation honors the spirit of Collodi's original while inviting contemporary audiences, especially younger ones, into a world of wonder and imagination. After the show, the trio was happy to meet and greet an audience equally eager to connect. Running nightly until May 4, tickets start at SR40 ($10) and are available on the Ithra website.
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Winners take to stage as curtain falls on 11th Saudi Film Festival
DHAHRAN: The 11th Saudi Film Festival, which was hosted at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, concluded with a dazzling showcase on Wednesday following a week of cinema-centric programming. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The celebration took place after the final films were screened, and featured a selfie-heavy red carpet at which Saudi fans stood waiting for their favorite stars to arrive. Just as on opening night seven days earlier, Saudi actors Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer hosted. There were no musical numbers or performances this time around, just awards and heartfelt speeches. The big winners were invited on stage to collect their Golden Palm Awards — which resembled film strips sprouted in the shape of a palm tree and drenched in gold — after each jury provided a short speech as to why the winner had been chosen. A post shared by (@saudifilmfestival) The award for Best Feature Film was given to 'My Driver & I,' directed by Ahd Kamel. It was collected by the film's star — who played teenage Salma — Roula Dakheelallah. The Golden Palm Award for Best Feature Film (GCC) went to the Iraqi film 'Songs of Adam' by Oday Rasheed. The films 'Hobal,' 'Siwar,' and 'Holes' each received special recognition from the jury for their cinematography. Meshal Al-Mutairi received the Golden Palm for Best Acting. 'Mera, Mera, Mera' by Khalid Zaidan won the Golden Palm for Best Short Film. A post shared by (@saudifilmfestival) The Abdullah Al-Mohaisen Award for a first film was presented to 'Sharshura' (The Hearse) by Ahmed Alnasser, who shared with the audience that he was a volunteer at SFF in 2014 at the second edition, and that he would place his new award next to his baby who was born that morning. The Golden Palm for Best Short Film (GCC) was awarded to 'Delusion' by Issa Al-Subhi, with 'The Last Dismissal' by Jawaher Alamri earning special recognition from the jury. 'Othman in the Vatican' by Yasir bin Ghaneem won the Golden Palm for Best Documentary Film, while the award in the GCC was awarded to 'The Dark Side of Japan' by Omar Farooq. Ahmed Al-Mulla, the festival's director, said: 'We are gathered once more for cinema at the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival. 'We arrived with stories and dreams in our hearts. In just a few short days we have listened to tales that were not only watched, but deeply felt. 'Each year you return to this space and fill it with warmth — with your hearts and with your creative spirit. 'You move through the rhythm of the festival as if it's a language you've always spoken. We thank everyone — those behind the curtain, those who adjusted the lights, and those who stayed with us until the last shot. Thank you to those who chose to be here — cinema does not call to us in vain.'
Arab News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Review: Watching ‘Hobal' at the Saudi Film Festival was an immersive experience
DHAHRAN: Watching 'Hobal' at the 11th Saudi Film Festival, hosted at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, was cathartic. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The setting in which the film was screened was significant. The cinema is close to Ithra's Energy Exhibit, which allows visitors to explore the journey behind oil extraction and energy resources in the Kingdom on the very land where black gold was first discovered in 1938. Attentive faces, bathed in the glowing light of the screen sat with popcorn-scented hands. Together, we embarked on a journey — both collective and deeply personal — without moving an inch. 'Hobal' tells the story of a Bedouin family, set in the early 1990s, living in extreme isolation, led by a paranoid patriarch (Ibrahim Al-Hasawi) who believes the end of times is near, and strongly forbids anyone from his family to venture into town. The title, 'Hobal,' is apt. It references a pre-Islamic figure whose word became gospel, offering deeper layers to the film's exploration of power and belief. The family's situation intensifies when Rifa (Amal Sami), the teen girl, falls gravely ill with a highly contagious case of measles and is forced to isolate even further in a tent alone. Her anguished mother (Mila Al-Zahrani) is consumed with worry, but the men, under the strict guidance of the patriarch, refuse to leave the desert to seek medical help. The women — and young teen boy, Assaf — are confronted with a dilemma: Survival or obedience. With the hissing desert winds, surrounded by stubborn tents and the suffocating grip of impending grief and unearthed betrayal, the question arises: Will they stay or will they go? The film's cinematography is a standout. One particularly stunning shot lingers — a mirror leaning into the sand, reflecting Rifa and Assaf in deep conversation seemingly side-by-side but while apart. The desert engulfs them but they seem grounded. It is shatteringly beautiful. The wisest figures seem to be the youngest. Set against the backdrop of the Gulf War, the real battles feel internal. What made watching 'Hobal' even more powerful was experiencing it in a Saudi cinema — not too far, geographically, from where the Gulf War broke out, knowing this was a story entirely brought to life by local talent. There is also a strong Ithra connection. The film was written by Mufarrij Almajfel, who also wrote the award-winning 2023 Ithra film 'Hajjan' (about camels), which also starred Al-Hasawi — honored at this year's festival for his remarkable career. Camels, the symbolic 'ships of the desert,' make several meaningful appearances here too, helping to move the story along. Directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahei and produced by Sharif Almajali (along with Alshlahei and Mohammed Al-Turki as executive producers), 'Hobal' is a collaborative effort between Shaf Studios, Film Clinic and Peninsula Pictures Group. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and was released in cinemas across the Kingdom in early 2025. Since then, 'Hobal' has grossed an impressive SR21.6 million (about $5.8 million) in its first month, quickly becoming the fastest-growing box office hit in Saudi cinematic history. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
