Since the coming to power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MBS), Saudi Arabia has been trying to open up to the world by betting, among other things, on culture. A strategy also included in Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to diversify the Kingdom's economy in order to reduce its dependence on oil. We are therefore witnessing the emergence of a creative economy, which is illustrated in particular by the new Merwas art and entertainment factory, the Riyadh Season Festival, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the Red Sea International Film Festival.
The modernist "Mohammed bin Salman" effect is taking its course in Saudi Arabia.
As part of his Vision 2030 plan, formalized 6 years ago, the crown prince of the kingdom had presented an investment plan of $ 64 billion over 10 years in culture and entertainment financed by both the State and the private sector. "Saudi Arabia" has since embarked on many projects that suggest obvious social and societal consequences (job creation, growing participation of Saudis in cultural life, highlighting women artists, opening the kingdom to Western culture…). These include the October inauguration of Merwas, the largest art and entertainment factory in the Arab world. Located in Riyadh, this 5,000-square-meter building aims to help and support Saudi talent, while showcasing them on the global art scene. Merwas is also home to 22 international studios to give visitors the opportunity to explore the world of film and cinematography, as well as an academy. "The first goal within 5 years is to solve all the problems we see in the market. The second is to nurture as many Saudi talent as possible. The third is to introduce intellectual property rights, royalties, copyrights and to raise awareness among the community and artists. Finally, the last objective is to develop, and not only within the Kingdom: We want Merwas to be present in the region and around the world," says the plant's CEO Nada Al-Tuwaijri. Merwas is also one of the 15 zones of the Riyadh Season festival, the largest cultural and entertainment program in Saudi Arabia's history, whose 2022 edition kicked off on October 21. The 66-day festival builds on the Vision 2030 goal of making the entertainment sector a major part of the national economy. Turki Alashikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Entertainment (GEA), kicked off the Riyadh Season with a show featuring 548 drones (setting a new Guinness World Record for the most remote-controlled drones simultaneously), fireworks, a Cirque du Soleil show and a concert by British singer Anne-Marie. All in front of more than 100,000 spectators. With the baseline: "Beyond imagination", the program includes many highlights spread over the 15 entertainment areas such as sports tournaments (WWE and Riyadh Season Cup with the PSG football team and the stars of the clubs of Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr), 25 Arab and international plays, 150 concerts, numerous local and world exhibitions in the fields of cartoons, perfumes, cars and video games, an underwater walk in the largest artificial lake in the world, a zoo, an amusement park… Another major event, this time dedicated to cinema, will take place from 1 to 10 December 2022 at the Ritz Carlton Jeddah: the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF). Under the slogan "The film is everything", the RSIFF will present 131 feature and short films, including 23 Saudi shorts, 28 international short films and 7 feature films. Arab filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world will also benefit from a platform to connect, organize and present a series of events, masterclasses and workshops to support emerging talent. The second edition of this festival also includes an official competition for feature and short films from Asia, Africa and the Arab world. A jury team, led by acclaimed American director Oliver Stone, will announce the winners of each category on December 8. We also learn that British filmmaker Guy Ritchi will be honored for "his outstanding contribution to the film industry". "The RSIFF is not only a film festival, it is a cultural forum in which we exchange our technical, cultural experiences and knowledge, and discover new dimensions. It serves as an important platform through which we support the film industry at local and regional levels," says the event's marketing and communications director Samaher Mously. Photo of the cover page taken on Pexels.
