In Episode 76, The 966 welcomes Antonia Carver director of Art Jameel, who discusses her work supporting artists and creative communities in the Middle East region and beyond. Art Jameel was founded by the Jameel family philanthropies and is headquartered in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and works globally. Before the discussion, the hosts talk about Founding Day 2023, the new Riyadh downtown project, and much more.
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Saudi Arabia celebrated its newest national holiday, Founding Day, for the second time on February 22nd which honors the establishment of the Saudi state and is marked by traditional demonstrations across the Kingdom.
The holiday is celebrated with a day off on the 22nd across Saudi Arabia and two days off, the 22nd and 23rd of February, for the public sector, leading into the weekend which will be marked by many with family and social gatherings and celebrations.
This year’s founding day is held under the theme “Our Story,” which “embodies pride in the deep roots of this blessed state and the close connection of its citizens with their leadership since the founding of the first Saudi state three centuries ago, with Diriyah as its capital and the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed as its constitution,” state news agency SPA reported.
18:00 – Lucien’s one big thing is that Saudi Arabia has revealed plans to build a new downtown area for Riyadh with the launch of New Murabba Development Company, which will include a new cube-like building called The New Muka’ab.
The plans were revealed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) last week. The New Murabba project will be built around the concept of sustainability, featuring green areas and walking and cycling paths that will enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and community activities.
At the heart of this development is The Muka’ab, which means Cube in Arabic, and it is quote “an exceptional iconic landmark featuring the latest innovative technologies. The design of the “Mukaab” includes first-of-its-kind facilities and will be one of the largest built structures in the world, standing 400m high, 400m wide, and 400m long. The cubic shape of the “Mukaab” will ensure the ultimate utilization of space to accommodate the technologies necessary to develop the icon.”
Inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, the “Mukaab” will be the world’s first immersive destination offering an experience created by digital and virtual technology with the latest holographics. The “Mukaab” will encompass a tower atop a spiral base, and a structure featuring 2 million sqm of floor space that will be a premium hospitality destination with a multitude of retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities.
35:10 – The 966 welcomes Antonia Carver director of Art Jameel, who discusses her work supporting artists and creative communities in the Middle East region and beyond. Art Jameel was founded by the Jameel family philanthropies and is headquartered in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and works globally.
1:37:31 – Yallah! 6 Top Storylines in Saudi Arabia to get you up to date headed into the weekend…
CNN Travel features Diriyah, latest Giga project aiming to transform Saudi Arabia
On the edge of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is another giga-project that aims to attract 27 million of those annual visitors to a 14-square-kilometer site filled with historical and cultural attractions. Considered to be the birthplace of the nation, Diriyah is the ancestral seat of the Al Saud dynasty and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the site of the First Saudi State, established in 1727. Diriyah has huge significance for modern Saudi Arabia, both historically and culturally. And as a key giga-project in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan.
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Invests $1.3 Billion In Construction Companies
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested US$ 1.3 billion by way of subscribing to new shares as part of the capital increases in each of Nesma & Partners Contracting Company, ElSeif Engineering Contracting Company, AlBawani Holding Company, and Almabani General Contractors Company. The investment will allow the construction services sector in Saudi Arabia to scale up capacity, enhance capabilities, boost growth, drive advanced technology adoption, and improve local supply chains for current and future projects. The companies’ partnerships with PIF will help them expand their operations and businesses on a regional and international scale.
Saudi Arabia to host FIFA Club World Cup 2023
Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup with the football tournament due to kick off in December. The intercontinental competition will be staged from Dec. 12 to 22. Saudi Arabia will be only the sixth host of the competition since its inception in 2000.Football is the national sport of Saudi Arabia, rooted in communities in all corners of country, where 80 percent of the population play, attend, or follow the game. The awarding of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 represents the latest chapter of Saudi football’s development.
Thousands dead, millions displaced: the earthquake fallout in Turkey and Syria
Turkey’s death toll has climbed above 44,000, the country’s disaster authority has said. This number is expected to rise further, given that more than 345,000 apartments were destroyed and many people are still unaccounted for. In Syria, already devastated by years of war, authorities have said more than 5,800 people died. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s Europe director, said relief workers were facing “the worst natural disaster in the region for a century”, adding that 26 million people need assistance across both countries. The WHO launched the largest rescue operation of its kind in the organisation’s 75-year history.
Iraq signs first security agreement with Saudi Arabia in 40 years
Iraqi and Saudi officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 19 February to share sensitive intelligence and deepen security cooperation, marking the first time the two nations have signed a security pact since 1983. The MoU entails “all forms of security cooperation, exchange of points of views, and undertaking joint security activities,” Iraqi state media reported. Iraq and Saudi Arabia share an 800-kilometer border. The historic MoU comes at a time when Baghdad has started to normalize ties with the Gulf countries following decades of isolation due to the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Lydia Ko Clinches Third Victory in Four Starts at Aramco Saudi Ladies International
Lydia Ko began the new year the same way she ended 2022, with a big win and a big check as she closed with a 4-under 68 to win the Aramco Saudi Ladies International. Ko, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, held off Aditi Ashok of India to capture the richest prize among regular Ladies European Tour events. She won $750,000 from the $5 million prize fund at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Ko ended last year by winning the LPGA Tour finale and $2 million, the richest payoff in women’s golf, which elevated her to No. 1 in the world.
