Saudi Arabia's AlUla and France's Centre Pompidou strengthen cultural ties
Saudi Minister of Culture and
Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla
(RCU), Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, met with French Minister of Culture
Rachida Dati in Paris to explore new avenues for cultural collaboration between
Saudi Arabia and France.
During the meeting, both sides
reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cultural exchange and announced a
landmark partnership between RCU and the Centre Pompidou. As part of the
agreement, a section of the renowned Paris museum—currently undergoing renovation—will
be dedicated to Saudi Arabia upon its reopening.
In a statement, the RCU confirmed
that this section will be named in recognition of Saudi Arabia’s support, with
details to be finalized in accordance with the museum’s new layout. The
collaboration will also include the implementation of a long-term cultural and
artistic program running through 2030.
Read More Saudi
Arabia’s cultural enterprise officially launched in Riyadh
This initiative will encompass a
research project on modern and contemporary Saudi artists, drawing upon the
Centre Pompidou’s expertise. It will also feature educational programs
introducing young audiences to art history, alongside professional exchanges
and knowledge transfer between cultural institutions in both nations.
The RCU emphasized that this
partnership builds on the strategic cultural alliance between Saudi Arabia and
France, fostered under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,
Prime Minister and Chairman of RCU’s Board of Directors, and French President
Emmanuel Macron. The collaboration underscores a shared vision of culture as a
bridge for global dialogue and a driver of sustainable development.
As part of the agreement, RCU will
contribute €50 million to support Centre Pompidou 2030—a major
renovation and expansion project aimed at enhancing the museum’s facilities and
strengthening its educational and artistic outreach.
This initiative complements ongoing
Saudi-French cooperation on the development of the Museum of Contemporary Art
in AlUla, reflecting a growing cultural partnership between the two nations.
Read More Royal
Commission for AlUla and Red Sea Global enter into partnership
RCU also announced the upcoming Arduna
exhibition, scheduled for the AlUla Arts Festival in January 2026. Organized
with Arts AlUla, the Centre Pompidou, and the French Agency for AlUla
Development, the exhibition will showcase new works, international
collaborations, and live performances, nurturing emerging talent and enriching
AlUla’s cultural landscape.
The RCU reaffirmed that its
collaborations with leading global institutions such as the Centre Pompidou are
central to Saudi Vision 2030’s ambition to make culture and the arts key
pillars of national development—positioning AlUla as a global destination where
heritage, creativity, and innovation converge to inspire future generations.
Source: Saudi Gazette
0 Comments