Saudi Arabia and the UK have designated 2029 as the Saudi-British Cultural Year, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport made the announcement on Wednesday, on the heels of Prince William of Wales’ visit to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi-British Cultural Year
This declaration underscores the depth of ties between the two kingdoms. Rooted in over a century of cooperation, these ties have developed into a comprehensive international partnership encompassing culture, education, and innovation – a testament to the shared values and reciprocal dedication to an enduring strategic alliance.
In recent years, the Saudi-British cultural cooperation has emerged as a pillar of bilateral relations. It includes joint initiatives in the fields of heritage conservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, as well as higher education.
Cultural Cooperation
The robust cultural exchange sets the stage for the Saudi-British Cultural Year 2029. This year-long celebration will highlight creative dialogue and a shared heritage, deepening the cultural bonds between Saudi Arabia and the UK for the benefit of future generations.
Moreover, the Saudi-British Cultural Year 2029 marks a significant milestone in the bilateral cultural relations, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the UK’s continued promotion of cultural innovation and creativity.
Prince William’s Visit
On Wednesday, Prince William concluded a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted the Prince of Wales on a private tour of At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah during the first day of the visit.
On day 2, Prince William visited the Sports Boulevard project in Riyadh, where he met with young Saudi athletes and discussed the Kingdom’s initiatives to promote public health and green urban spaces.
Interestingly, he also visited the SEF Arena and took part in a Rocket League competition against the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.
Prince William concluded his visit in AlUla, touring a number of historical, natural and cultural sites.
