Category: Entertainment

Riyadh, Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi today virtually chaired the meetings of the Executive Council and General Assembly of the Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU).

During the two meetings, Dr. Al-Qasabi stressed that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed on our countries and institutions unprecedented challenges and tests in facing this pandemic that required us to exert more efforts in coordination with officials in the health sectors in our countries to deliver awareness messages on the COVID-19 dangers, prevention measures and the importance of ensuring immunity through vaccinations.

He noted that these challenges required preparing a unified strategy to deal with the pandemic based on considering the best international models and proposing initiatives and mechanisms that can realize a qualitative leap in the action model of IBU that guarantees it keeps pace with the latest developments to improve work mechanism of IBU and enhance its international presence to serve joint causes and defend them globally.

Dr. Al-Qassabi also suggested forming a development team for the IBU to revise the Union’s vision and initiatives to develop IBU’s work in delivering a media message that meets the aspirations, where the General Assembly adopted the proposal. He also congratulated Dr. Amr Al-Laithi for being appointed as IBU director.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Riyadh Toy Festival will be kicked off tomorrow under the theme “Explore, Play, and Shop”, which is one of the top festivals of the Riyadh Season 2021, and will include new toys that are available for the first time for its visitors.

The festival is characterized by attracting top entertainment activities in one place over 10 consecutive days between November 12 and 21, where individuals, families and children are given the chance to explore, play and shop in the presence of 19 international trademarks that will launch new toys for the first time, in addition to the presence of other trademarks.

The festival provides a diversified group of safe entertainment activities that are made by the top renowned international trademarks, in addition to offering shows and discounts on hundreds of toys that made the festival a family destination.

It is also among the events of the Riyadh Front zone, which is one of the entertainment zones of the 2021 Riyadh Season, which attracted the top international trademarks specialized in toys that suit all tastes and hold several surprises, such as international toys that are displayed for the first time and attract all ages in the middle of interactive activities with international characters that are loved by children.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Paris, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the 41st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which was held today at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

The Kingdom’s delegation was headed by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan said that the culture and science sectors are an essential part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and that the Kingdom is investing in initiatives such as the Cultural Scholarship Program, as well as through the Cultural Development Fund, which will enhance cultural activity in the Kingdom, in order to unlock the great development potential of these sectors.

He pointed out that the Kingdom is looking forward to strengthening international efforts to preserve heritage, adding that after the World Heritage Committee unanimously approved the draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom to build the capacities of heritage workers for the next ten years, we look forward to this decision’s contribution to enhancing the geographical diversity of experts, enabling capacity building, and developing measures to protect cultural heritage sites.

In the field of education, Prince Badr said that the Kingdom has launched a number of initiatives for lifelong learning and enhancing the competitiveness of individuals through the continuous development of skills and capabilities, through the establishment of the Human Capacity Development Program as one of the new programs for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In the field of international cooperation to preserve the environment and enhance sustainability, he said the Kingdom recently announced the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative to address the effects of climate change in the Kingdom and the region.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The events of the Global Town Festival, which combines entertainment, culture and civilizations in one place, kicked off at the Exhibition Part on the Eastern Ring Road in Riyadh over an area of more than 140,000 square meters. The festival will continue till November 9, 2021, it was reported.

CEO of the Molhimat Al-Sharq for Exhibitions and Conferences Rima Al-Ruwaisan noted that a visitor of the festival will see world civilizations, their famous landmarks, markets, folklore and folk songs in one place that also offers coffee shops and restaurants that present the best international dishes.

She pointed out that the festival includes the Saudi street with various cultural and heritage components and time paradox between the past and present covering various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including old Najd, Al-Thumairi gate, Al-Mugeibrah Market, old weddings, and the markets of women, gold and silver, in addition to the Homeland and History Exhibition that showcases the top achievements of kings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Dubai, The number of visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE reached 500,000 visitors from various Arab and foreign nationalities, as well as high-level diplomatic delegations from various countries as the total number of visitors to the Kingdom’s pavilion exceeded 30% of Expo 2020 Dubai’s visitors.

Thus, the Saudi pavilion achieved the highest number of visits in the history of international exhibitions, in a new achievement added to the list of achievements and records achieved by the pavilion since its official opening on the first of October.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, Vice Minister for Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez highlighted an impressive list of over 100 cultural initiatives, engagements and events taking place in the Kingdom before the end of the year during his participation at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh today.

The vibrant and varied schedule includes many events led by the 25 cultural institutions the Ministry of Culture has launched since its inception three years ago.

During the panel appearance, Fayez said that Saudi culture is being uncovered and energized at an unprecedented scale and pace, that the Kingdom’s ambitions are presenting many opportunities for both the local and international private sector, and that Saudi Arabia is already actively contributing to the global creative industry.

“This is an exciting time for culture in Saudi Arabia. In the coming weeks alone, we will host our first major international film festival, our first art biennale and international festivals like Fashion Futures and MDLBeast,” said Fayez. “These events flow from the Kingdom’s steady progress to nurture creativity and create a vibrant cultural economy in the Kingdom.”

In other signs of rapid progress and newfound ambition, the Ministry has developed a strategy that will open new cultural investment opportunities through PPPs or joint ventures, bolster the infrastructure around creative industries, and ease regulation to allow businesses to thrive. Coupled with growing demand for culture across the Kingdom, the changing Saudi cultural landscape has already caught the eye of international investors.

Fayez was quick to point out that the Ministry’s role was not limited to the promotion of the creative industries inside the Kingdom but also to increasing and improving the quality of culture exchange with its global peers.

“I am deeply proud of the Kingdom successfully campaigning for culture and the creative industries to be formally part of the conversation at the G20,” said Fayez during his panel discussion. “It started during Saudi’s presidency last year and has continued, which means we have ensured culture has a permanent place in G20 considerations and is part of the global economic agenda.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Dammam, The Bahrain Film Festival, in its first session, will screen a number of Saudi narrative films within the activities of the festival, which will be held from 27 to 30 October 2021 at Oasis Mall in Juffair, with the participation of more than 90 films.

The Saudi Film Screening Program includes the screening of films that won the Golden Palm Award at the seventh session of the Saudi Film Festival.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– “RUSH” festival kicked off today in the Riyadh Front Entertainment District, one of the most prominent festivals in the field of electronic games regionally as part of the Riyadh Season 2021, enjoying a remarkable public turnout with all tickets sold out on the first day.

The festival witnessed a heavy crowd for its activities, even before it opened its doors to visitors, as the activities of the first day included: Influencer Giveaways, Hula Hoops, DJ, Tekken, Michael Jackson Show, BMX, Cosplay Show.

Riyadh Season, on its Twitter account, has called on those wishing to participate in fantasy tournaments and events to book their tickets for the rest of the festival days, which will run until October 26, where tickets can be purchased via the link: https://tickets.riyadhseason.sa/ar/d/704/rush.

The “Rush” festival activities offer the audience diverse events, including the “PUBG Mobile” tournament for the first time in the region coming straight from Los Angeles to Riyadh, with the participation of 16 teams from different countries, in addition to “Offline” games with the participation of 14,000 players who have qualified during the “RUSH” online tournaments over the past two months, to compete for cash prizes.

The festival seeks to introduce new concepts in the festivals and exhibitions industry globally, offering the visitors access and an opportunity to experience the latest technologies in electronic gaming, which is in line with the goals and commitments of the Riyadh Season in providing unique and unprecedented experiences regionally and globally.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, In an initiative reflecting the keenness of Riyadh Season 2021, to carry out its social responsibility along with organizing and hosting the most prominent world entertainment events, the officials responsible for the most prominent event these days, “WWE Crown Jewel”, has organized an awareness event to combat cyberbullying under the slogan “Be A Star”.

The event aims to guide children to the appropriate ways to deal with negative responses on social media, and to benefit from the passion of this age group for WWE Superstars, to deliver targeted messages to educate young people.

The stars participating in the event advised the children to believe in their capabilities, know their most prominent strengths, and enhance their self-confidence, providing positive messages and directives for children to deal in the best way with negative responses in all social media.

The event also witnessed the attendance of a large number of children and school students, who interacted with their favorite WWE Superstars, expressing their happiness with their presence, and fulfilling a wish they had always dreamed of, which is to meet these stars and get to know them closely.

The children also thanked the WWE Superstars, for their help and advice on how to counter cyberbullying, and to positively deal with negative messages and responses on social media.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Red Sea International Film Festival has opened its doors to cinema world enthusiasts to register and receive their accreditation and be part of the first edition of the film festival in KSA, the most anticipated cinematic event of the year. From dazzling red carpet premiers and concerts, an unrivalled industry program, exciting workshops and talks, interactive community events to acclaimed festival gems and beautifully restored treasures, the Red Sea International Film Festival is the place to be this December 2021.

With over 100 films from around the world showcasing the best cinematic works from the region and a carefully curated selection of international acclaimed titles from around the world, the Red Sea International Film Festival is providing industry professionals with the exclusive opportunity to see a selection of films and be part of a unique experience.

The first edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival will take place from December 6 to December 15, 2021.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Saudi pavilion participating in Expo 2020 Dubai embodies the tail of development in the Kingdom, including food and its related concepts of sustainability, changing consumption and waste patterns, the problem of hunger, and other themes that the World Food Day seeks to devote, which the world celebrates annually on October 16.

The pavilion, with its unique design, has garnered international awards in environmental sustainability, in addition to its keenness to use recyclable materials in its various sections, including “Sard Café”, which serves distinctive dishes of Saudi cuisine, and Saudi coffee, according to an integrated “Sard” that reveals the extent to which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken care, in addition to providing these foods and drinks in healthy, environment-friendly manners.

While celebrating World Food Day, the pavilion joins the other of the pavilions taking part in the Expo 2020 Dubai, in the context of a growing global interest in the need to enhance awareness of the basic needs of humans, provide food and solve the problem of hunger. The Kingdom is exerting extensive efforts with its international partners to address these issues by rethinking practices that affect nature and reshaping food security systems in ways that ensure healthy lives and preserve the people and the planet.

Through its pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Kingdom provides an overview of its pioneering efforts in serving food issues. Besides its internal efforts in developing vegetation cover, improving agricultural production tools to reduce the depletion of non-renewable groundwater, and changing food consumption patterns to reduce food waste, Saudi Arabia enters into fruitful partnerships with international organizations to achieve close and continuous cooperation to serve global food issues, and bears a significant contribution to initiatives to donate food to the needy, and to support nutrition programs, be it with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, or through the UN World Food Program, which recently praised the Kingdom’s endeavors and efforts in helping the organization meet urgent food needs at all levels.

The pavilion at Expo dedicates these concepts, through its diverse content, which celebrates the Saudi ecosystems that affect natural development, whether in deserts, oases, beaches, or natural reserves that abound in the Kingdom, and receive great attention from its leadership and public and private agencies, in a manner that supports KSA’s objectives to keep pace with the growing global movement towards food and environmental issues, and its support for all international partnerships that aim to address poverty, food waste, and environmental imbalances that affect nature and food production levels.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Baghdad The Acting Minister of Electricity, Adel Karim, announced today, Friday, the completion of the Iraqi-Gulf interconnection, and while explaining the reason for the delay in its launch so far, he revealed that important agreements had been reached with international companies that will increase the production capacity in Iraq to 7500 megawatts.

He told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “during the current summer, the electric power was increased to very high levels,” noting that “without the Iranian gas restrictions, we would have reached greater numbers.”

He added, “The ministry made great efforts last summer, and during the other two weeks, electricity was supplied to citizens by 24 hours, in addition to the improvement of the weather,” noting that “the ministry has a set of solar energy contracts with the French Total, the Norwegian Scatec, the Emirati Masdar, and Ur Gene, and we have arrived to very important agreements that serve electric power and increase production capacity, according to the set of contracts, to 7,500 megawatts over the next two years, and this is important.”

He explained, “Solar energy projects are within the plan of the government and the Ministry of Electricity, and we have come a long way compared to neighboring countries, and we will reach 7500 megawatts,” noting that “the approvals obtained from the Council of Ministers will reach the ministry through it and within two years to 5,000 megawatts, and this is very important for Iraq to get clean energy.

He indicated, “These approvals will help Iraq to obtain loans from international companies and banks in order to build stations or other works in the field of electricity.”

And regarding the connection with the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the minister stressed, “The connection with the Gulf and Jordan has been completed, and also the Iraqi-Iranian connection is continuing, in addition to the connection with Turkey has been completed, and only the line remains to be operated.”

He continued, “The ministry has prepared the current gas and steam stations with good production capacities and has important plans during the coming summer,” noting that “the delay in the Gulf connection is just routine procedures, as well as determinations of the tariff and sale price with the Gulf brothers, and when the fair price is reached between the two parties, we will proceed with it.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency