The third edition of the Riyadh Theatre Festival kicks off
The Saudi capital is preparing to host a major cultural event, as the Theater and Performing Arts Commission organizes the third edition of the Riyadh Theater Festival, which will take place from December 15 to 22. The festival will be held at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Conference Center, continuing its pivotal role in revitalizing theatrical activity and enhancing the status of the performing arts within the thriving Saudi cultural landscape.
A renewed cultural context under Vision 2030
The organization of this festival comes within the context of the comprehensive cultural transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the Vision, the cultural sector has prioritized the development of various creative fields, including theater and performing arts. The Theater and Performing Arts Commission was established in 2020 to serve as the official body leading the development of this sector, working to build a sustainable infrastructure, empower talent, support local production, and raise the quality of theatrical works to compete regionally and internationally.
The importance of the festival and its expected impact
The Riyadh Theatre Festival is a strategic national platform aimed at achieving several interconnected goals. Locally, the festival empowers Saudi theatre professionals—directors, writers, actors, and technicians—by providing them with a platform to showcase their work to audiences and critics. It also contributes to discovering young talent and offering them the necessary support to launch their careers. The festival is expected to increase audience attendance at theatrical performances, thus supporting the development of a vibrant and sustainable theatre industry. Regionally, the festival seeks to solidify Riyadh's position as a capital of culture and art in the region, attracting the attention of theatre artists and enthusiasts from across the Arab world.
Honoring pioneers of Saudi theater: Ibrahim Al-Hamdan and Abdul Rahman Al-Murikhi
In a significant gesture of appreciation, this edition of the festival honors two pioneers of Saudi theater, artists Ibrahim Al-Hamdan and Abdulrahman Al-Murikhi. This tribute recognizes their long and distinguished careers and their invaluable contributions to the establishment and development of the theatrical movement in the Kingdom over the decades. These two luminaries played a pivotal role in enriching Saudi theater with timeless works, training generations of theater professionals, and solidifying the presence of this art form in the Saudi cultural consciousness. Honoring them sends a powerful message affirming the state's appreciation for its creative talents and its recognition of their artistic legacy, upon which the current theatrical renaissance is built.
Towards a promising future for Saudi theater
The Riyadh Theatre Festival, in its third edition, continues its role as a professional platform that attracts creative talent, refines their skills, and propels local theatrical productions toward greater maturity and impact. Through its diverse activities, including theatrical performances, seminars, and workshops, the festival offers a valuable opportunity for exchanging expertise and building partnerships, serving the national strategic goals of the cultural sector and establishing Saudi theatre as a vital source of national creativity and an ambassador for Saudi culture on the international stage.
