蹤獲弝け

Music festival celebrates Franco-Saudi ties

Music festival celebrates Franco-Saudi ties
File photo of a musician performing at Fete de la musique. (@maisonmusique)
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Updated 18 June 2025

Music festival celebrates Franco-Saudi ties

Music festival celebrates Franco-Saudi ties

RIYADH: A music festival celebrating the cultural ties between France and 蹤獲弝け will take place in Riyadh, Alkhobar and Jeddah from June 20-26.

Organized by the French embassy in 蹤獲弝け in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise, the Saudi Music Hub, Unstable, Hayy Jameel and MDL Beast, the Fete de la Musique will use a shared love of music to bring diverse audiences together.

Since its inception in France in 1982, the Fete de la Musique has evolved into a global celebration and now takes place in more than 120 countries. True to its founding principle of making music accessible to all, free of charge, it has become a powerful platform for cultural dialogue.

The 2025 edition features a diverse and eclectic line-up, highlighting the vibrancy of both the French and Saudi music scenes.

French artists such as Karimouche, a bold, socially engaged voice in word and song, and DJ SONGE, a producer known for immersive Afro-futuristic electronic sets, will share the stage with Saudi talent such as Kosh, a beatmaker who fuses traditional rhythms with deep electronic bass, and Seera, a rising star on the local rock scene.

Each host city will offer a distinctive atmosphere.

Riyadh starts the celebrations on June 20 at Unstable, a hybrid venue at the heart of the Saudi urban music scene. Alkhobar followed on June 21 at the Saudi Music Hub, a space dedicated to music education and performance that offers a more intimate setting. Jeddah will bring the festivities to a close on June 25-26 with performances by powerful female artists at Hayy Jameel, a cultural hub.

More than the concerts it features, the event also fosters cultural exchange, artistic dialogue and discovery, creating lasting connections between French and Saudi artists and audiences.


Madinah wins new WHO healthy city accreditation

Madinah wins new WHO healthy city accreditation
Updated 10 min 29 sec ago

Madinah wins new WHO healthy city accreditation

Madinah wins new WHO healthy city accreditation
  • Middle Easts second-largest healthy city after Jeddah
  • 15 other cities in 蹤獲弝け included in WHO list

MADINAH: The World Health Organization has renewed its accreditation of Madinah as a healthy city, with Islams second-holiest location scoring an impressive 80 points, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Salman bin Sultan, governor of Madinah region, received the WHO accreditation certificate from Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel during a ceremony on Thursday.

Prince Salman said Madinahs renewed accreditation exemplifies the leaderships dedication to enhancing quality of life for the Kingdoms people in urban centers.

 

With the new accreditation, Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, next to Jeddah. (SPA photo)

He emphasized Madinahs ongoing transformation as a leading development model regionally and internationally, aligning with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 goals.

Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, after Jeddah, the SPA reported.

To win the WHOs nod, an entrant must meet 80 criteria, including parks, walking areas, and the promotion of health through primary care centers and schools.

The WHO has also recognized 14 other healthy cities in 蹤獲弝け. These include Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jalajel, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khubra and Sharurah, according to Leaders MENA Magazine.

With the new accreditation, Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, next to Jeddah. (SPA photo)

 


Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office
Updated 01 August 2025

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

Saudi interior minister visits Interpol head office

LYON, France: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif visited Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France on Thursday where he was received by the organizations president, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi.

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz affirmed the Kingdoms ongoing support for Interpol and its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in combating transnational crime.

He praised its role in supporting international security efforts and enhancing cooperation among security agencies around the world.

Interpol's current president is from the United Arab Emirates. Al-Raisi was elected at the 89th General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkiye, in November 2021. His term ends this year.

 


蹤獲弝け welcomes 1.2 millionUmrah pilgrims

蹤獲弝け welcomes 1.2 millionUmrah pilgrims
Updated 01 August 2025

蹤獲弝け welcomes 1.2 millionUmrah pilgrims

蹤獲弝け welcomes 1.2 millionUmrah pilgrims
  • Number of Umrah visa holders entering 蹤獲弝け this year up 30 percent from last years
  • Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application

JEDDAH:  蹤獲弝けs Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported that more than 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah since the season launched. The faithful have traveled from 109 countries worldwide, reflecting surging international interest and the Kingdoms enhanced service capabilities for religious visitors.

Ministry data shows a significant 30 percent jump in Umrah visa holders entering 蹤獲弝け this year compared to the same period last year. Visa issuances also climbed 27 percent, while more than 4,200 partnership agreements were executed between domestic Umrah service providers and international agents, bolstering the Kingdoms capacity to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

The Umrah season was launched with digital visa processing handled through the governments Nusuk platform. The scheme represents the latest advancement in 蹤獲弝けs efforts to streamline religious tourism as part of Vision 2030, the Kingdoms comprehensive modernization blueprint.

Pilgrims have been able to secure Umrah permits directly through the Nusuk mobile application, which functions as a centralized digital gateway for pilgrim services. The platform offers streamlined booking and permit processing, complemented by additional digital tools designed to improve the overall pilgrimage experience.
 


Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
Updated 31 July 2025

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival

Focus on emotional power of movie soundtracks at Riyadh Film Music Festival
  • When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience
  • The event explores the scores of 4 movies in particular: Top Gun: Maverick, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Back to the Future and The Lion King

RIYADH: The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival began at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman Universitys Red Hall Theater on Wednesday. The opening night featured a live orchestral performance that blended visuals with sound as music from Top Gun: Maverick was performed live on stage alongside a screening of the film.

The event, which is organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and continues until Aug. 9, features composers, directors, filmmakers and enthusiasts from the Kingdom and beyond.

The event is attracting diverse audiences, (providing) opportunities for local talent, and (contributing) to building a thriving cultural economy in line with Vision 2030, said Ahmed Al-Ghaith, a live-performance advisor at the commission.

Ahmed Al-Ghaith, advisor at the RCRC. (Supplied)

Talking about the powerful effects of a live performance of a film score, he added: When music is played in front of an audience, the spotlight is directly on its role as a hidden narrator that expresses emotions, enhances the plot and deepens the visual experience.

He explained that the festival aims to promote an appreciation of the movie soundtrack as an art form in its own right, and encourage young talent to explore the fields of musical composition and sound production.

The Riyadh Film Music Festival is taking place this year in conjunction with the hosting in the capital of the Esports World Cup, as part of the commissions efforts to foster cultural and artistic momentum in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.

The second annual Riyadh Film Music Festival which organized by RCRC scheduled to run until August 9. (Supplied/RCRC)

The event aims to deepen the audiences appreciation of the musical dimension in films through explorations of four movies in particular: Top Gun: Maverick, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Back to the Future and The Lion King.

Each film is being screened accompanied by a live orchestral performance of its score, allowing audiences to experience the films in a new way and discover the power of music in cinematic storytelling.

The commission said the festival forms part of its work to enhance cultural and entertainment offerings for residents and visitors to the capital, while reinforcing Riyadhs status as a global destination for arts and culture.
 


Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophets Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)
Updated 31 July 2025

Mauritanian prime minister arrives in Madinah to visit Prophets Mosque

Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay (C) arrives in Madinah on Thursday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Djay arrived in Madinah on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

He will visit the Prophets Mosque in the holy city and pray inside it.