Saudi comedy festival draws A-list performers, backlash: What to know
The star-studded festival highlights Riyadh’s push to brand itself as a cultural hub even as critics accuse Saudi Arabia of whitewashing its repressive reputation.
A new comedy festival in Riyadh is drawing some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy, along with mounting controversy over where it is being held.
What happened: Running from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9, the Riyadh Comedy Festival is being promoted by Saudi organizers as “the biggest comedy festival in the world,” according to a press release. But critics say the star-studded lineup risks lending legitimacy to a government widely condemned for its human rights record.
The roster includes Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Pete Davidson, Jimmy Carr and Louis C.K., among others.
The kingdom’s official news agency, the Saudi Press Agency, stated on Saturday that the festival “strengthens Riyadh’s position as a hub for premier international entertainment.”
