The Ministry of Culture announced on Monday plans to launch its first cultural center, Fenaa Alawwal (FAA), in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. Bringing together a diverse community of thinkers, creators, and leading talents, FAA is positioned to become a cultural and creative hub, offering a wide array of cultural programming, ranging from art exhibitions to panels and workshops. FAA is located in the historic building of Alawwal Bank, formerly known as the Saudi Hollandi Bank, the first commercial bank to operate in the Kingdom. The bank's Riyadh headquarters, built in 1988 by the Omrania Company, is among the prominent landmarks of the Diplomatic Quarter with its distinctive design consisting of colossal columns framed in a square-shaped canopy and decorated with traditional Najdi-style motifs. The building was recently placed under the custody of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), in line with Vision 2030's National Transformation Program, of which culture is an essential component. As part of its efforts to promote culture as a way of life and to create opportunities for global cultural exchange, the Ministry of Culture repurposed the building as a multidisciplinary cultural space. The center will host temporary art exhibitions, creative and educational workshops, and a diverse program of seminars and other cultural activities. Additionally, FAA will be home to a specialized library offering a wide selection of interdisciplinary art books, as well as a permanent art collection displayed in the Sculpture Garden. A captivating attraction located in the building's exterior premises, the Sculpture Garden features a collection of six unique art pieces, the majority of which were specially commissioned for Fenaa Alawwal, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the work of renowned local and international artists. Fenaa Alawwal will pioneer the third-place experience in the Kingdom, providing a space for exploration, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange, in turn cultivating a diverse community of creative thinkers. — SPA
