Via Hatem Alzahrani in agsiw.org: American culture has long found a welcoming audience in Saudi Arabia. Hollywood films, bestselling novels, and global music icons have shaped Saudi perspectives on the world. Yet, culture is not a one-way street. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has emerged not just as a consumer of culture but as a global cultural contributor. This shift is evident in the unprecedented international presence of Saudi creatives. Solo U.S. exhibitions, such as Ahmed Mater’s “Symbolic Cities” and Abdulnasser Gharem’s “Hospitable Thoughts,” have challenged outdated narratives and placed Saudi contemporary art at the heart of the global artistic conversation. Meanwhile, Saudi cinema is undergoing a renaissance, led by studios such as Telfaz11, whose productions capture authentic Saudi stories that have long been absent from the international screen. With Saudi Arabia now boasting the world’s fastest-growing box office, it is on a path to become a powerhouse in the global film industry. Saudi music, too, is making its mark. The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir’s historic performance at the Metropolitan Opera House in September 2023 introduced New York audiences to the kingdom’s rich and multifaceted musical traditions and showcased its deep connections with the global music scene.
