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Saudi Ardah Melodies are a melodic structure used by poets of the Saudi Ardah in composing the melody and Maqams (musical modes) for the Ardah poem. This melody does not exceed the tetrachord, similar to other traditional popular songs worldwide characterized by simplicity and the absence of melodic instruments. The performance relies solely on beating drums, which provide resonance and grandeur to the sound of Ardah. Characteristics of Saudi Ardah melodies In the Saudi Ardah, the melody typica...

Al-Naqouz or Najouz dance is a traditional dance, game, and a form of artistic singing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . It was once popular in Najd, where men performed it at celebrations and events, but its prominence has since faded. The performance of al-Naqouz dance The Naqouz dance is characterized by its light, flexible movements and rapid, successive jumps, performed with quick and easy steps that align with the rhythm. The dance is performed by two rows of dancers, with drummers of vari...

The 2022 International Opera Festival was held in the city of Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , specifically in Boulevard Riyadh City on Abu Bakr Salem stage. It was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture with the support of the Quality of Life Program , one of the Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Programs. The festival lasted for three days. The festival was organized with the aim of opening new cultural horizons by hosting international cultural and artistic events to provide quality option...

Theater in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encompasses all aspects of theatrical activities, including writing, performing, and theaters around the Kingdom. Its regulations and laws are managed, regulated, and enacted by the Ministry of Culture , represented by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission . Theater arts is a scientific specialization offered by the Ministry of Culture’s external scholarship program. Saudi theater pioneers Several pioneers  emerged in theatrical writing and enriche...

Maqamat of Saudi Ardah  are musical scales used to compose the poems of Ardah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as per the Eastern musical scale. Most Ardah poems are formulated and composed according to a musical scale called ' Sika ,' with an increase in rhythmic variation at the end of the Ardah when the performers move toward the leader, raising their swords. Sika maqam in Saudi Ardah Sika maqam is one of the prominent maqams used in the Saudi Ardah, relying on the Sika note in the ...

Street Art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia refers to initiatives for decorating walls with Arabic calligraphy and graffiti art, launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2021, in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (currently known as the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing ), represented by the municipalities of the various provinces in the Kingdom. These initiatives aim to create activities that support the 'Year of Arabic Calligraphy' initiativ...

School Theater in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an activity performed on school stages in the Kingdom, blending education and entertainment. The early development of Saudi theater began within the realm of public educational institutions. Beginnings of school theater activity in the Kingdom The origins of school theater in the Kingdom can be traced back to 1929 when Ahliya School in Unayzah City organized an end-of-year event featuring both meaningful and humorous plays. Among these was '...

Zarqa'a al-Yamama Opera is a production organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture . It is the first opera in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the largest Arabic-language opera in the world, featuring performances by both local and international talents. Announcing the production of Zarqa'a al-Yamama Opera The announcement of Zarqa'a al-Yamama Opera production was preceded by a celebration of the opera's production process at Golds...

Al-Khutwa is one of the folk dances in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It relies on rhythmic footsteps to form a dance. Al-Khutwa dance is popular in Aseer Province , south of the Kingdom. It is an ancient war dance, varying in speed and performance style from one tribe to another. The dance is also known as al-Khutwa al-Aseeriya or al-Khutwa al-Janubiya. It is performed within popular chants of lyrics reflecting the local narratives in the south of the Kingdom. This performance relies on the harm...

The Music Commission is the entity responsible for supporting musicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its duties also encompass talent discovery, development, and empowerment. The commission was established in 2020 by a decision of the Council of Ministers . It works to develop the infrastructure of the musical culture in the Kingdom, and then to transform the music industry into a sector that contributes to the local economy through a series of regulations that create job opportunities for b...

The Art of Operetta in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is relatively recent in Arab culture, and the term operetta is an Arabized term for a special artistic type and a literary genre with specific characteristics.  Originally popular in Western cultures, it moved to the Arab culture once it had fully developed its artistic framework in the West. The Kingdom is among the Arab states that embrace this term to describe a specific form of art performance. The Kingdom witnessed the debut of this art f...

The Costume Design Program is a training program launched by the Fashion Commission under the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023 in the city of Jeddah , in collaboration with Dar al-Hekma University and the Italian fashion academy 'ITS Cosmo'. The program aims to train Saudi fashion designers in the field of costume design and enhance their creative potential. Costume Design Program objectives The Costume Design Program aimed to refine the skills of fifteen Sau...