For Saudi Arabia, it’s no surprise that a hydrocarbon-based future is unsustainable. One of the ways in which the country is looking to diversity its economy, to concentrate on cultural diplomacy and to counter international criticism of its war tactics in Yemen and human rights violations, is through heavy investment in the cultural sector.
The large-scale light art festival, Noor Riyadh, is the latest in a series of ambitious public art projects for Riyadh and it sees the kingdom directing its attention, for once, towards its own urban residents. Riyadh unravels at night. The public spaces and commercial districts are alive with people communing until late. One can almost forget the pandemic, except for the fact that you need a health status certification on the Tawakkalna app to get into places. While the country has banned international travel for Saudi citizens until May 17, inside the country life goes on.
