Design takes center stage in Riyadh

Welcome to Al-Monitor Riyadh.

This week, we preview the upcoming inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, shining a light on Saudi Arabia’s growing design sector through a trade fair featuring both local and international talent. We also highlight the recently opened Julien, an exclusive 10-seat chef’s table; the Red Sea Documentary Days at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah; and the exhibition of the third edition of the Kingdom’s Photography Award.

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Happy reading,

Rebecca

P.S. Have feedback or tips on Riyadh's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: Downtown Design Riyadh

An exterior view of the JAX District. (Photo courtesy of JAX)

Looking for a standout piece of furniture? In just a week, Downtown Design Riyadh — the kingdom’s inaugural design fair — will bring together dozens of local and international designers in the trendy JAX District, offering a curated selection of contemporary and limited-edition pieces.

Organized by the Art Dubai Group in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the fair marks a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s expanding design scene. It arrives amid a boom in luxury real estate and landmark developments, fueling demand for high-end interiors across the country.

“We are witnessing a remarkable shift in the Saudi design industry, with the pace of development and integration of high-caliber design in hospitality as well as everyday life,” Mette Degn-Christensen, director of Downtown Design, told Al-Monitor. “Our goal for the Downtown Design Riyadh was always to create a fair for Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh; to build a platform born from the new demand for contemporary and quality design, for and in its environment, very much relating to local context and the sophisticated audiences.”

The fair caters to design collectors, professionals and industry leaders, offering access to global design brands while spotlighting homegrown talent. Highlights include Tom Dixon, Brokis and Articolo lighting via Huda Lighting; Scandinavian furniture from Audo Copenhagen, GUBI, and &Tradition by The Bowery Company; Scarlet Splendour's brass works by Richard Hutten; a Cosentino installation by Kuwait’s Babnimnim Studio; and from Saudi Arabia, Teeb Made’s culturally rooted designs and the Designed in Saudi initiative.

Dates: May 20-23

Location: JAX District

More details here. 

2. Word on the street: Julien

A view of the Chef’s Table at Julien in Riyadh. (Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons)

This new hidden gem of French gastronomy is tucked inside Cafe Boulud at the Four Seasons Riyadh. Among the most exclusive dinners in the city, the 10-seat chef’s table offers an eight-course culinary journey curated by Chef Thierry Motsch, under the supervision of Chef Daniel Boulud. The menu blends classic French cuisine with local influences, all served with a front-row view of the open kitchen, where guests can watch the dishes come to life before they reach the table.

Location: Four Seasons Riyadh

More details here.

3. Riyadh diary

The flier for the movie “Tell Them About Us.”

• Red Sea Documentary Days

Head to Hayy Jameel in Jeddah to get your fix of art and cinema for the third edition of Red Sea Documentary Days — a collaboration between Art Jameel and the Red Sea International Film Festival. The festival features a great selection of both international and local documentary films alongside workshops and discussions. Don’t miss “Tell Them About Us,” directed by Rand Beiruty, a film about a group of teenagers who flee to Germany and creatively overcome discrimination — it’s also a film about friendship and the pursuit of dreams. It screens on May 23. There’s also “The Brink of Dreams,” a documentary chronicling the lives of a group of young Egyptian girls from a conservative village in Upper Egypt, who have formed an all-female acting group despite their family’s disapproval, screening May 21, 25, 29 and 31.

Location: Hayy Jameel, Jeddah

Dates: Through May 31

More details here.

• Kingdom Photography Award: “When Fog Whispers in a New Light”

The exhibition — revealing works from the third edition of the award and organized again by Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission — showcases the images of five commissioned photographers from across the kingdom, focusing on the landscapes, culture, changes and traditions of the region of Asir in the southern part of the country.

Dates: Through May 25

Location: Hayy Jameel

More details here.

• Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo

The first trade event dedicated to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning entertainment and leisure sector, this event will feature products, services and technology from over 25 countries to support the country’s vision in becoming a key entertainment and leisure hub in the Middle East. The show provides a platform for manufacturers and suppliers of entertainment and leisure products to do business with investors, distributors, government officials, owners of malls, cinemas and family entertainment centers across the kingdom. 

Dates: May 20-22

Location: RFECC Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh

More details here.

4. Book of the week: “Saudi Arabia - A Journey Through Heritage, Transformation and Opportunity”

This newly released book dives deep into the fascinating story of Saudi Arabia, where ancient history can be found alongside the aspirations of a dynamic modern society. Author John Robert guides the reader through a comprehensive look into the history of the kingdom, its various regions, its diverse cultures and traditions, and its futuristic plans.

5. View from Riyadh: Saleh Althobaiti

A white camel and a black camel. (Photography by Saleh Althobaiti)

This photographer from Riyadh captures the vast landscapes, animals (especially camels), archaeological sites and abandoned buildings, showcasing the rich spirit of the kingdom. See more of his work @s_althobaiti1.

6. By the numbers

• Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, is expected to begin operations in late 2025. The airline aims to connect passengers to over 100 destinations by 2030.

• Riyadh Air has a modern fleet of 132 aircraft, including Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321neos.