Saudi Arabia hosted a cultural evening in Kuala Lumpur that brought together diplomats, officials, academics, and cultural leaders from both Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, emphasizing the strong relationship between the two countries and celebrating the Kingdom’s cultural identity.
The event, titled “Saudi Night,” was held alongside Saudi Arabia’s participation as the guest of honor at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair.
Among those attending were Abdulatif Al-Wasel, CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission; Saudi Ambassador to Malaysia Osama Al-Ahmadi; Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek; along with ambassadors, university representatives, intellectuals, and media professionals.
During his remarks, Al-Wasel said Saudi Arabia’s role as guest of honor reflects the Kingdom’s growing international cultural presence and its continued commitment to strengthening global cultural exchange. He also highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia and expressed appreciation to Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan for supporting national cultural initiatives.
Al-Ahmadi noted that the event forms part of broader efforts to expand Saudi Arabia’s cultural outreach internationally and introduce global audiences to the Kingdom’s traditions, including literature, music, fashion, and heritage arts. He added that such initiatives help strengthen cultural understanding and demonstrate the Kingdom’s ongoing cultural development under Vision 2030.
Saudi Folk Arts
Guests enjoyed performances of traditional Saudi folk arts, including Al-Khatwah, Samri, and Khubaiti, as well as a selection of regional Saudi dishes showcasing the country’s culinary diversity.
The evening provided visitors with an immersive experience of Saudi heritage while reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue through arts, literature, and cuisine.
The celebration was part of a broader cultural program organized during the book fair, featuring seminars, panel discussions, and artistic performances running through June 7.
Saudi Arabia’s pavilion has attracted significant interest from visitors, government officials, cultural figures, and media representatives, with strong engagement around exhibits highlighting the diversity of the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.
Additional activities have also drawn attention, particularly seminars led by Saudi experts discussing literature, translation, cultural exchange, and Saudi-Malaysian relations, alongside interactive spaces introducing visitors to Saudi arts and traditions.
As part of the program, a cultural symposium examined the role of myth in Arabic and Malaysian literature and explored its connections to symbolism and identity.
The session was presented by writer and novelist Abdullah Al-Hawas and moderated by journalist Ahmed Al-Alkami, attracting intellectuals and literature enthusiasts.
During the discussion, Al-Hawas explored how myths shape collective cultural memory and explained their continued influence in contemporary literature as a way to express identity and reflect social and human change.
He also referenced iconic figures such as Scheherazade and Sinbad as enduring symbols in Arabic storytelling associated with imagination, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge. According to Al-Hawas, Arabic literary traditions have long drawn inspiration from desert landscapes, maritime culture, and inherited narratives passed through generations.
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