RIYADH — Saudi Arabia experienced a significant cultural momentum in 2023, marked by a variety of major events, including book exhibitions, theater festivals, and cinema. However, 2023 was distinguished as the "Year of Arabic Poetry," with the launch of the "Arabic Poetry Year 2023" initiative aimed at enhancing the position of Arabic poetry in individual and societal culture. This initiative led to a revival of Arabic poetry's spirit, vocabulary, heritage, and hymns throughout the country, reiterating the themes, imagery, and poetic language of poems and celebrating historical figures and contemporary Arab poets. On the occasion of Saudi National Day on Sept. 23, the Saudi "Cultural" channel was launched, broadcasting via the MBC network and digitally on the Shahid platform. The channel's first programming cycle focused on the "Arabic Poetry Year 2023" initiative, emphasizing the role of the Arabian Peninsula and its poets in the literary and intellectual history of Arab heritage. The channel's content includes documentaries, plays, concerts, and extensive coverage of cultural events, presented by a wide range of cultural and artistic programs covering various cultural sectors, hosted by intellectuals, writers, poets, and academics. The Saudi Film Forum, which took place at Riyadh Front from Oct. 1 to 4, 2023, provided an opportunity for filmmakers to discuss the film industry, investment opportunities, and the future of entrepreneurship, with a focus on the development of Saudi cinema and its potential to compete internationally. During the forum, Saudi Arabia launched a $200 million film fund in collaboration with two international companies to support the film sector. On Dec. 14, 2023, the Saudi Ministry of Culture's Theater and Performing Arts Authority launched the Riyadh Theater Festival, aiming to enhance the local theater movement and support local Saudi theater production. The festival targeted the production of 20 theatrical works in its first phase, with 10 plays selected for the official competition. The festival also included cultural events such as seminars, critical readings, workshops on theater arts, a presentation of an international play, and a tribute to the late Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Othaim through a play written by him and an exhibition of his artistic journey. Several book exhibitions were held in Saudi Arabia, including the first edition of the "Writers and Readers Festival" in the Eastern Province, the Madinah Book Fair 2023, the Riyadh International Book Fair 2023, and the Jeddah Book Fair 2023. These exhibitions showcased local, Gulf, and international literature and included literary, poetic events, seminars, theaters, visual and performance arts, film screenings, workshops, fashion, and culinary arts. Oman was the guest of honor at the Riyadh International Book Fair, reflecting the strong cultural ties between the two countries. On Oct. 24, 2023, the Saudi Ministry of Culture released the fourth edition of the "Cultural Status in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2022" report, titled "Investing in the Cultural Sector." The report documented the most significant developments, achievements, and challenges in the Saudi cultural movement. It highlighted the local cultural movement and documented its major directions, presenting an analysis of cultural aspects in various sectors. To enhance professional sustainability in cultural sectors and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan announced an increase in "employment support" from 30% to 50% for 160 cultural professions across 286 activities. This initiative is part of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Culture and the Human Resources Development Fund. On Sept. 11, 2023, the Saudi Minister of Culture honored the winners of the third edition of the "National Cultural Awards" in 2023. These awards recognized contributions across various cultural fields, including literature, publishing, translation, fashion, national heritage, culinary arts, visual arts, theater and performing arts, music, films, and architecture and design. This comprehensive overview of Saudi Arabia's cultural scene in 2023 highlights the significant efforts and initiatives undertaken to promote and develop various cultural sectors within the Kingdom.
