Art Bridges 2025-26 connects Saudi creatives

Welcome to Al-Monitor Riyadh.

This week, we spotlight Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission’s cultural programs kicking off in Japan, South Korea, Scotland and Spain; the first renderings of Rise Tower, the world’s highest skyscraper currently being built in Riyadh; a date festival in the Saudi capital; and new data on the kingdom’s rising real estate market.

If you want to receive this newsletter or our other new City Pulse editions — including Dubai, Istanbul and Doha — sign up here.

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: Visual Arts Commission launches in four countries

A view of the Visual Art Commission’s 2024 cultural trip to Paris. (Courtesy of Visual Arts Commission, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture)

Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission, under the Ministry of Culture, has announced the launch of Art Bridges 2025-2026, an international initiative aimed at fostering global cultural exchange. The program includes four professional tracks designed to support Saudi and Saudi-based visual artists, cultural practitioners, and creative professionals in participating in international exchanges and career development opportunities abroad.

“The Visual Arts Commission is dedicated to fostering cultural dialogue and exchange through platforms that inspire discovery, debate, and thought leadership," Dina Amin, CEO of the Saudi Visual Arts Commission told Al-Monitor. "With its 2025 cycle, Art Bridges builds on the success of past editions by creating new opportunities for Saudi visual arts practitioners to engage with colleagues around the world. We are thrilled to see the 2025 edition launch.”

The first program, in collaboration with the British Council Scotland will take place in Scotland (Sept. 22-27). Additional programs will be held in Japan (Oct. 31-Nov. 7), South Korea (Nov. 19-27) and Spain (March 2-9, 2026). Applications for these three programs opened on Aug. 13. The application window for Japan will close on Aug. 21, while applications for South Korea and Spain will remain open until Aug. 31.

Each Art Bridges program is created according to the distinct cultural and creative context of its destination, with the participation of cultural centers, museums, galleries, artists’ studios, and local and international thought leaders. 

Thematic focuses for the 2025-2026 programs include Japan, with the theme Art and the Environment, exploring how artists and art practitioners respond to urban, natural and traditional surroundings through specific material and natural surroundings; South Korea, where the theme Identity through Art and Community examines grassroots cultural movements, collaborative platforms and spaces, and artist-led spaces; and Spain, with the thematic focus on Heritage and Collectivism, delving into how heritage and society converge in historic cultural spaces.

Applicants must be over 21 years of age, have a minimum of five years of professional experience in their field, and present a strong portfolio demonstrating their contributions to the cultural sector.

Dates: Sept. 22 to March 9

Location: Various

Find more information here.

2. Word on the street: Fi Glbak

An interior view of Fi Glak in Riyadh. (Courtesy of Fi Glbak)

If you're craving authentic Saudi cuisine, Fi Galbak is led by one of the kingdom’s most prominent chefs, Hisham Baeshen, who began his career as a food blogger and is now a representative of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission. 

The phrase “fi galbak” means “in your heart” in Arabic, and the restaurant stays true to its name by offering heartwarming dishes that showcase the richness of Saudi culinary traditions.

Born and raised in Al Khobar in the Eastern Province, Baeshen brings his heritage to life at Fi Galbak, where traditional interior design elements such as Al Sadu patterns and embroidery create a warm, culturally immersive atmosphere. 

The menu features a selection of classic Saudi soups, appetizers and mains, including jareesh (also known as harissa), a hearty dish made from wheat and slow-cooked with chicken or lamb and topped with aromatic spices. Grilled meats and regional seafood dishes also feature prominently, such as shrimp kuoja, a specialty from the Madinah region made with shrimp, rice and vegetables.

Fi Galbak currently operates three branches in Riyadh and one each in Madinah, Makkah, Jazan and Al Khobar, bringing Baeshen’s celebrated cuisine to diners across the kingdom.

Location: Al Mohammadiyyah, Riyadh

Find more information here.  

3. Riyadh diary

A rendering of the anticipated Rise Tower. (Courtesy of North Pole Project Rise Tower)

• Rise Tower: Plans for the world’s tallest skyscraper in Riyadh unveiled

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund recently announced and revealed plans for a skyscraper that will transform Riyadh’s skyline. Called Rise Tower and located in the anticipated district titled North Pole, the tower is slated to be the world's first to reach an incredible height of 2 kilometers. To put this in perspective, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with its height of 828 meters, is not even half as tall as the forthcoming Rise Tower. Foster + Partners designed the winning concept for the tower in response to a competition launched in 2022. The project has an estimated $5 billion price tag. It will be strategically located near the Expo 2030 site and the New Murabba, a mixed-use real estate development project in downtown Riyadh.

Dates: Expected completion 2060

Find more information here.

• Otaiqah Date Season

Otaiqah date season is unique in that it gathers major players from across Saudi Arabia’s date industry to Riyadh, from farmers, traders, consumers and culinary specialists, featuring over 60 vendors and other family friendly and cultural events for all ages. For those both residing in and visiting Riyadh this time of year, this season immerses you in local culture through the highly prized Saudi Arabian date.

Dates: Until Nov. 30

Location: Otaiqah Central Market, Riyadh

Find more information here.

• The Summer Gathering

For those escaping the heat of major Saudi cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, a trip to Aseer — known for its cool, mountainous air — is well worth the visit, especially to experience the Summering Gathering at Dalghan Park, one of the region’s natural attractions. Throughout most of August, visitors can explore three dynamic zones featuring horse-riding stables, a live music and performance area, carnival-style games and a dedicated children's zone. There’s also a fine-dining area and a ring of food trucks offering a variety of cuisine, from Saudi and Arabic street food to upscale international dishes.

Dates: Until Aug. 31

Location: Dalghan Park, Aseer

Find more information here.

4. Book of the week: "The Man Who Would be King"

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former Wall Street Journal publisher Karen House has covered Saudi Arabia for over 40 years. In this book, based on exclusive interviews, a gripping biography of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reveals new insights into Saudi Arabia and its controversial leader, who is also a crucial Middle Eastern power broker and world leader. House delves into the complex character of MBS, offering a look at both sides: his visionary side that has made unprecedented social changes in the kingdom — from women’s rights to entertainment and cultural initiatives — and his Machiavellian side, marked by allegations of human rights abuses and sports washing. House takes it all in and offers a candid look at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under MBS’s leadership during a time of previously unfathomable transformation for the Arab Gulf state.

5. View from Riyadh

A Saudi man overlooks the Dam of Wadi Qanouh the Makkah Province. Photography courtesy of Abdulaziz Salem

Riyadh-based visual artist Abdulaziz Salem is known for his dynamic lifestyle photography and evocative images of the Arabian Peninsula. He began his creative journey in 2017 with fashion photography. Over the last few years he has focused on cultural and social documentation. In 2021, he created the photo series Khefaf – Traces of the Hoof (one of which is pictured here) inspired by a camel caravan journey across the western landscapes of Saudi Arabia. The series reflects his interest in capturing underrepresented narratives in the Arabian Peninsula. 

6. By the numbers

• According to Markaz (Kuwait Financial Center), the GCC real estate sector continues to experience robust growth. According to its latest real estate market outlook, Markaz states a 37% increase in first-quarter sales in Saudi Arabia compared to the previous year and a 4.3% increase in the real estate price index.
• The Saudi Real Estate General Authority anticipates the property market to reach $101.62 billion by 2029, with a projected compounded annual growth rate of 8% from 2024.
• In June, global consultancy Knight Frank highlighted the kingdom’s growing property market, stating how rents for Grade A office space in Riyadh reached SR 2,700 ($719.95) per square meter by the end of the first quarter this year, up 23% compared to the same period last year.