Flourishing Art Scene of Saudi Arabia Showcased Globally through AlUla Arts Festival
In the heart of Saudi Arabia, a historic city named AlUla is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once known for its labyrinthine old town and Unesco World Heritage Site archaeological ruins, AlUla is now becoming a global cultural hub, thanks to the AlUla Arts Festival.
The festival, running until February 22, 2025, is attracting attention from around the world. Five land art pioneers - James Turrell, Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, and Ahmed Mater - will create permanent, large-scale commissions in Wadi AlFann, a 65 sq km patch of desert near AlUla's old town, by the end of 2026.
James Turrell, renowned for his monumental Land Art installations, is preparing to present his new works in Wadi AlFann, the Valley of the Arts, starting from 2025/2026. An exhibition, 'Wadi AlFann Presents James Turrell', curated by Michael Govan, CEO of Los Angeles County Museum of Art, showcases Turrell's upcoming permanent work in the valley through light installations, renders, plans, and a constellation map.
The AlJadidah Arts District serves as the central hub for the festival, offering workshops, classes, exhibitions, installations, live music, and lectures. A highlight was Ayman Zedani's lecture performance in Cinema AlJadidah, showcasing his new research and science-fiction film commission for the contemporary art museum in AlUla.
The festival has also seen the premiere of expressive site-specific productions. Thikra: Night of Remembering, a fusion of movement, music, and design, was presented at a section of Wadi AlFann during the festival in 2025. Another performance, "Under a blanket of desert stars", featured 14 dancers combining traditional Indian classical dance with contemporary rhythms.
Manal AlDowayan, who represented Saudi Arabia at the 2024 Venice Biennale, held workshops with the local community to create a labyrinthine installation called Oasis of Stories in Wadi AlFann.
The festival emphasises initiatives such as the AlUla Arts Residencies Open Studio and involving locals in developing some of the commissions. This approach is reflected in 'Raw to Revival', a joint exhibition from Design Space AlUla and Madrasat Addeera, highlighting the region’s cultural heritage and innovative design through textures, scents, sounds, and visuals.
The AlUla Arts Festival is not just an event; it's a movement that's putting AlUla and Saudi Arabia on the international art map. Iwona Blazwick, the lead curator of Wadi AlFann, is at the forefront of this transformation. Nora Aldabal, the executive director of Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, is also playing a crucial role in this cultural revolution.
To learn more about the AlUla Arts Festival and related events, visit www.experiencealula.com. This festival is more than just a destination; it's an experience that promises to leave a lasting impression.
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