Assalamualaikum - Saudi and French culture partners on new arts collaboration
Assalamualaikum - Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, met with France’s culture minister Rachida Dati in Paris to talk about deepening cultural ties.
They agreed the Saudi side will have a dedicated section in the Center Pompidou while that museum is being refurbished and set to reopen in 2030. The Royal Commission for AlUla will contribute 50 million euros toward the renovation. This effort is part of broader Saudi‑French cooperation to develop a Museum of Contemporary Art in AlUla in the western Hejaz.
A multi‑year cultural and artistic program running through 2030 will highlight modern and contemporary Saudi artists and make use of resources from the Center Pompidou. The plan includes exchanges for cultural professionals between France and Saudi Arabia to build skills and share expertise.
The partnership is described as a way to use culture to foster international dialogue and promote sustainable development. The RCU also announced the Arduna exhibition, set for the AlUla Arts Festival in January 2026, organized with Arts AlUla, the Center Pompidou and the French Agency for AlUla Development. Arduna will feature workshops and live performances aimed at supporting emerging talent and enriching AlUla’s cultural scene.
The RCU said it is working to make AlUla a global centre for creativity where heritage, innovation and knowledge inspire future generations.
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