For the first time, a Japanese orchestra has played a live performance in Saudi Arabia’s capital, the latest step forward for Saudi culture and prospects for greater entertainment options for Saudi citizens.
Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Toraifi opened the first Japanese full orchestra concert in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night at King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh. According to Arab News, the concert was organized as part of a Saudi-Japan music exchange program, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information and the Embassy of Japan.
Japanese Ambassador Norihiro Okuda also attended the event.
Opera in Riyadh last night, courtesy of the #Japanese Orchestra. #Saudi https://t.co/4T6zkLzOrL
— Fahad Nazer (@fanazer) April 14, 2017
Saudi Arabia is making entertainment and culture a centerpiece of its Vision 2030 economic and social reform plans. Earlier this week, the Kingdom announced that it would be building a massive entertainment complex outside of Riyadh, which will include a Six Flags theme park.
