Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has unveiled a set of new initiatives designed to transform and reinforce the cultural sector into an essential part of life in the Kingdom.
The transformation is set to aid local cultural innovation.
Speaking before a crowd of Arab delegates, officials, intellectuals, diplomats and local and international media, Prince Badr reaffirmed on Wednesday that the ministry had adopted the motion after months-long preparation and due process, ever since King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued the decree for establishing the culture ministry on July 2, 2018.
The ministry “intends to create an environment that supports national talents in all areas and sectors, and to preserve the country’s culture and wealth,” he said.
“Our country is proud of its innovators and talents who, with their works, have reached unprecedented heights and won important awards,” he said at the ceremony.
Highlighting the importance of support presented by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Badr noted that the transformation strategy “marks a turning point in the history of our nation. It is rare that a nation undergoes such a massive revival of its culture, and that is exactly what is happening.”
“The transformation of arts and culture will benefit all Saudis, young and old, from every corner of our country. It will help build bridges of understanding,” he added.
“For our children, we will build a Saudi Arabia where their creative spirits can flourish, confident in their past, stepping out into the future and into the world.”
The Saudi Cabinet, a day earlier, had upheld recommendations made by the Council of Economic Affairs and Development on approving the National Culture Strategy.
The strategy will include a range of policies and initiatives, as well as a summary of the culture ministry’s previous efforts to develop the cultural sector and make it an important contributor to the national economy.
Cultural reinvigoration in the Kingdom had began with the launch of Vision 2030 by the Crown Prince in 2016.
By 2039, the culture ministry is looking to have its sector contribute 3 percent of the GDP.
