Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo/node/2597091/lifestyle
Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo
Georgina Rodriguez has been documenting her life in Ƶ since relocating to the Kingdom. (Instagram)
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Updated 15 April 2025
Arab News
Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo
Updated 15 April 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez gave fans a peek into her life in Ƶ this week through a series of Instagram stories. One standout moment was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.”
She included the same phrase in Arabic as a caption. In the photo, she also showed off a large emerald-cut diamond ring, a glittering watch and a crocodile-skin handbag.
Later that afternoon, Rodriguez shared more family moments when she posted videos of stepson Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s football training with Al-Nassr’s youth team. In one clip, captioned “The best team,” the group was seen singing and cheering.
Instagram/ @georginagio
Rodriguez also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes look at her personal routine in Riyadh, sharing a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.
The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Ƶ, where she lives with her partner, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and their children.
The couple recently appeared together in a new campaign for Ƶ’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic. Rodriguez says “yalla” — meaning “let’s go” — after selecting the cruise on her phone, and Ronaldo replies cheerfully “yalla.”
The scene then changes into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, with panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors and their private accommodation.
Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared the campaign on their social media profiles with the caption: “Home isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling.”
In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Ƶ. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.
She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez. During her visit, the model hugged and spoke with the children and joined in their play with the dolls.
Saudi hotels earn Michelin Keys as two Mideast properties nab special awards at Paris ceremony
Four hotels in Ƶ were awarded two Michelin Keys, while three Saudi hotels earned one Michelin Key status
La Mamounia in Morocco, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet district and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai all earned three Michelin Keys
Updated 58 min 26 sec ago
Saffiya Ansari
PARIS: Known for awarding coveted stars to restaurants around the world, the Michelin Guide also operates the Michelin Key Selection recognizing hotels, the latest awardees of which were named at a gala event in Paris on Wednesday with two hotels from the MENA region scoring special awards and multiple Saudi hotels earning Keys.
The organizers handed out four prizes for excellence in specific areas, including an Architecture and Design Award, Wellness Award, Local Gateway Award — for hotels that offer guests immersive connections to their surroundings — and the year’s Best New Opening Award.
Nominations for the four awards were unveiled over the past few months, with hotels from the Middle East making the cut.
La Fiermontina Ocean, Morocco was nominated for the Local Gateway Award for its “authentic access to rural Moroccan life; Atlantis The Royal in Dubai was nominated for the Architecture and Design Award for its “stacked geometry redefining Dubai’s skyline; and Shebara Resort in Ƶ was nominated in the same category for its “futuristic chrome pearls camouflaged by the Red Sea.”
On Wednesday night, La Fiermontina Ocean in Morocco scored the Local Gateway Award and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai nabbed the Architecture and Design Award.
The year’s Best New Opening Award went to The Burman Hotel, Estonia, and the Wellness Award went to Bürgenstock Resort Switzerland.
Introduced over the past year in 15 countries across North America, Europe and Asia, the awards ceremony for the first-ever global list took place at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in the French capital. In total, 2,457 hotels received one (1,742), two (572) or three (143) Keys across the globe.
In the one Michelin Key category, awardees from the Gulf region included Banyan Tree AlUla in Ƶ; The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in Ƶ; Waldorf Astoria Jeddah - Qasr Al-Sharq; ERTH Hotel in Abu Dhabi; Jumeirah Saadiyat Island; The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm; Fairmont, Amman; Four Seasons Hotel, Amman; The Ritz-Carlton, Amman; The St. Regis, Amman; Bratus Hotel in Aqaba, Jordan, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya; The St. Regis, Kuwait; The Chedi, Muscat; Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman; Fairmont, Doha; Four Seasons, Doha; Mandarin Oriental; Doha; Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl in Doha; Rosewood Doha; Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha; The Ned Doha; Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers; Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island; Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island; Rosewood Abu Dhabi; Address Beach Resort; Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa; Armani Hotel Dubai; Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa; Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai; ME Dubai by Melia; The Lana, Dorchester Collection; The St. Regis Downtown Dubai; Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort.
Meanwhile, 49 hotel properties in Morocco, Turkey and Egypt were awarded one Key status.
In the two Michelin Key category, awardees from Ƶ included Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve; Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea; Shebara Resort; and Desert Rock Resort
Also awarded two Keys were La Fiermontina Ocean in Morocco; Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt; Royal Mansour Casablanca in Morocco; Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain; Alila Jabal Akhdar; Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl – Qatar; Raffles Doha; The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi; Bulgari Resort Dubai; Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; and One&Only The Palm Dubai.
Across the rest of the region, hotels that earned two keys included Al Moudira Hotel in Egypt; Amanjena in Morocco; Royal Mansour in Marrakech; The Oberoi, Marrakech; Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay in Morocco; The Peninsula Istanbul; Argos in Cappadocia; and Museum Hotel in Turkey.
La Mamounia in Morocco, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet district and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai all earned three Michelin Keys.
The candidates were assessed by Michelin Guide inspectors based on five criteria: excellence in interior design and architecture; quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance; consistency between the level of experience and the price paid; uniqueness, personality and authenticity; and whether the hotel was a gateway to a destination.
Like Michelin stars, the keys are awarded in line with a three-tier system.
One key signifies “a very special stay,” according to the guide. This is awarded to properties that “may break the mold, offer something different, or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.”
Two keys are awarded to properties that provide “an exceptional stay … where a memorable experience is always guaranteed.” These hotels also boast “character, personality and charm that’s operated with obvious pride and considerable care … eye-catching design or architecture and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.”
Three keys indicate an extraordinary stay, according to the guide.
“It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here — this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts of travelers.”
Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein steps out in black coat dress in Paris/node/2618189/lifestyle
Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein steps out in black coat dress in Paris
Updated 08 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan showcased elegant royal style on Wednesday during her visit to France with her husband, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah.
The couple are in Paris, where they met with French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace.
The princess, who is of Saudi origins, stepped out wearing a long black tailored coat dress featuring a structured collar and button-down front. She styled the look with black heels, a woven cream clutch bag, and gold jewelry, including drop earrings and stacked rings.
Following the crown prince’s visit to France, he is scheduled to travel to the UK, where he will hold meetings in London. He will meet with Prince William and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
DUBAI: Part-Arab model Shanina Shaik turned heads in Paris this week when she appeared in new images shared by Victoria Beckham Beauty.
The Australia-born model — who is of Saudi, Pakistani, and Lithuanian descent — was featured in photos from a collaboration post on Instagram between her and the beauty brand, seen applying products such as the satin kajal liner and eye wear palette to create a soft, bronzed makeup look.
Shaik also attended the Victoria Beckham show during Paris Fashion Week, where the British designer presented her Spring/Summer 2026 collection at 17th century Val-de-Grace Abbey. For the occasion, Shaik wore a chocolate-brown satin halter-neck gown with a high neckline and open back, styled with minimal accessories and glossy waves for a sleek finish.
Before the show, Shaik shared a behind-the-scenes video of her getting ready for the event.
“I am so excited for this show. I am obviously a huge fan,” she said in the video before breaking down the products she uses on her hair before styling.
She gave her followers a glimpse of her pre-show routine, sharing what she ate, followed by clips of her hair and makeup session. Shaik included shots from a photoshoot taken before the event, along with a short look at the show itself.
Beckham showed a collection of slip dresses, roomy suits and soft, leather jackets with crinkled edges for her namesake label’s show.
Models marched under the arched corridors in sharp-toed shoes, parading dresses cut in asymmetric shapes and uneven hems, the fabric bunched together in places, some covered with a dusting of spray paint.
Trousers were low-waisted, cinched with thin belts and paired with tops that were slit open in front, while suit jackets came in boxy shapes, without lapels. Handbags included a roomy duffle bag, a structured camera bag and one that resembled an accordion.
In written show notes, the brand described the collection as an “abstract adaptation of the coming-of-age wardrobe,” noting that Beckham had spent time reviewing photos of herself as a young adult.
Beckham has also been making headlines with her upcoming “Victoria Beckham” documentary, scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Oct. 9. In the three-part docuseries the former pop star-turned-fashion designer shares her story.
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale announces theme, artists for 2026 edition
Artistic directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed discuss ‘In Interludes and Transitions’
Updated 08 October 2025
Jasmine Bager
RIYADH: The 2026 edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale — “In Interludes and Transitions,” which opens Jan. 30 — will bring together more than 70 artists, and include more than 20 new commissions at JAX, Diriyah’s creative district.
The title comes from a colloquial Arabic phrase that refers to the cycles of encampments and journeys in nomadic communities across the Arabian Peninsula, reflecting the movements, migrations, and transformations that continue to connect the Gulf region with the world.
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale Artistic Director Nora Razian. (Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
“There’s also this very contemporary conversation we’re presenting to complement that sentiment,” artistic director Nora Razian tells Arab News. “I think COVID changed the way people work, but I also think the whole ‘everything going digital and online’ has kind of faded away now and people are already craving the intimate conviviality of sharing an experience together.
“Of course, if you are Saudi you kind of know Diriyah, but it was always a little bit outside of the city. Now it’s very much integrated into the city, and the way that people think about the city. It’s become its own kind of place,” she continues.
The biennale will explore movement, processions, and cultural transmission. Sound-based works will be presented along with visual art, music, and performance, offering audiences a full-bodied, cross-disciplinary experience, according to the organizers.
Artistic Director Sabih Ahmed. (Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation)
While acknowledging that “some people may have been a little fatigued (by the number of biennales in the region, including the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, also run by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation),” Razian’s fellow artistic director, Sabih Ahmed, tells Arab News that this edition feels “a little bit like an edited anthology of many voices that come through together.”
Both artistic directors were drawn to the idea of processions as a curatorial thread. In a joint statement, they wrote: “Processions have produced relations and forms in this region. The movement of winds and the flow of trade, migration, and exile are carriers of stories, songs, and languages, producing rhythms and poetic meters such as the rajaz. Thinking of the world in procession — a braiding of movements that commemorate and celebrate — allows an understanding of cultural forms through exchange and transmissions; itineraries of travel, intersections, and mutations; and the retelling of fragments of exiled stories that have persisted through bodies, materials, rhythms, and cadences.”
Saudi artist Ahaad Alamoudi. (Photo by Zaynab Odunsi)
The biennale will unfold across multiple venues and outdoor spaces in Diriyah, with scenography by design studio Formafantasma and contributions from a team of international curators including Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie. Milan-based architect Sammy Zarka joins as associate architect and exhibition designer.
The preliminary list of participating artists features Saudi artist Ahaad Alamoudi alongside international figures including Pio Abad, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Yussef Agbo-Ola (Olaniyi Studio), Afra Al Dhaheri, Mohammed Alhamdan (7amdan), Ruba Al-Sweel, Taysir Batniji, Raven Chacon, Rohini Devasher, Merve Ertufan, Ivana Franke, Rahima Gambo, Petrit Halilaj, Aziz Hazara, Alana Hunt, Yazan Khalili, George Mahashe, Théo Mercier, Nour Mobarak, Nancy Mounir, Hussein Nassereddine, Daniel Otero Torres, Thảo Nguyên Phan, Gala Porras-Kim, Sarker Protick, Raqs Media Collective, Oscar Santillán, Trương Công Tùng, Wolff Architects, Agustina Woodgate, and Yu Ji.
By blending visual art, music, and poetry — a hallmark of cultural expression across the Arab world — the biennale is intended to amplify continuity and resilience in times of uncertainty. Through song, stories, dance and collaborative processes, it highlights how art preserves memory, asserts the power of the collective, and sparks hope.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation, chaired by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, continues to champion creativity and the transformative potential of culture. With the upcoming edition of the Contemporary Art Biennale, the foundation hopes that Diriyah can solidify its place as a generator of culture.
‘Window on Palestine’ returns to El-Gouna Film Festival
Updated 08 October 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Egypt’s El-Gouna Film Festival is bringing back its “Window on Palestine” program for the third year.
Set to run from Oct. 16 to 24, the festival’s eighth edition will play host to a roster of Palestinian films in the special section.
This year will feature seven short documentaries from the “From Ground Zero+” initiative, offering portrayals of life in Gaza.
The documentaries were created through the Masharawi Fund for Films & Filmmakers in Gaza, in collaboration with Coorigine Production in France. All the films are in Arabic with English subtitles.
The selected works include “Colors Under the Sky” by Reema Mahmoud, which follows a displaced artist struggling to create music amidst destruction; and “Dreams of Farah and Zahra” by Mostafa Al-Nabeeh about two young girls who hold on to creativity as an act of defiance.
In addition, “Gaza to Oscar” by Alaa Damo follows filmmakers who risk their lives to tell their stories; “The Wish” by Aws Al-Banna in which theater becomes a tool for recovery; and “Hassan” by Muhammad Al-Sharif about how a Palestinian teenager’s attempt to get a sack of flour leads to detention.
Also showing is “Unfinished Stories” by Nidal Damo in which a filmmaker drifts from one unfinished story to another; and “Very Small Dreams” by I’timad Wishah about women in Gaza’s refugee camps as they struggle to maintain their dignity and health.
Marianne Khoury, artistic director of the festival, said: “Our commitment to the ‘Window on Palestine’ program is not just a curatorial choice; it is a fundamental part of our mission as a festival in the region.
“Cinema has a profound power to document and to heal, and it is our duty to provide a space where the world can witness the incredible resilience and artistry of the Palestinian people.”
