**Titular:**
“Saudi Art Shines at BIENALSUR 2023”

**Introducción:**
El Ministerio de Cultura de Argentina inauguró la tercera edición de BIENALSUR, bajo el lema “Strangers in the Palace”, destacando la participación pionera de Arabia Saudita con 10 artistas. El evento, alineado con la Visión 2030, fomenta el intercambio cultural global y dialoga entre el arte contemporáneo y espacios históricos.

**Factbox:**
– **Fechas:** Julio a diciembre 2023.
– **Ubicaciones:** 170 sedes en 70 ciudades (27 países).
– **Artistas:** 400 participantes, incluyendo 10 saudíes.
– **Arabia Saudita:** Tercera vez como sede, reforzando su rol cultural desde 2019.
– **Objetivo:** Promover diálogo global bajo la Visión 2030. *(50 palabras)*

**BIENALSUR 2023 Kicks Off in Buenos Aires with Saudi Arabia as a Key Participant**

**Grand Inauguration at the National Museum of Decorative Arts**
On July 28, 2023, the Ministry of Culture of Argentina launched the third edition of **BIENALSUR**, the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South, at Buenos Aires’ National Museum of Decorative Arts. Titled *“Strangers in the Palace,”* the event drew dignitaries including Saudi Cultural Affairs Officer Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Laheeb, BIENALSUR General Director Aníbal Jozami, and Artistic Director Diana Wechsler. A delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture joined global artists, underscoring the Kingdom’s prominent role in this cultural convergence.

**Exploring “Strangers in the Palace”: A Theme of Contrast and Connection**
Artistic Director Diana Wechsler highlighted the exhibition’s theme, which contrasts contemporary artworks with the neoclassical elegance of the museum, a former palace housing centuries-old artifacts. *“The theme reflects the ‘alienation’ felt by artists like the Saudis, who bring their perspectives to a distant land, yet it’s precisely this tension that sparks cultural dialogue,”* Wechsler explained. The concept celebrates how art bridges divides, fostering empathy and human connection across borders.

**Saudi Arabia’s Pioneering Role in BIENALSUR**
Wechsler praised Saudi Arabia as the **first Middle Eastern nation** to join BIENALSUR’s network in 2019, marking its third participation in 2023. Ten Saudi artists are featured among 400 creators from 27 countries, showcasing diverse mediums from installations to digital art. Their works contribute to a global narrative that intertwines Saudi heritage with avant-garde expression.

**Exhibition Scale and Global Reach**
Running until December 2023, BIENALSUR spans **170 venues across 70 cities in 27 countries**, with Saudi Arabia serving as a key international hub. The Kingdom’s programming includes exhibitions and workshops, reinforcing its position as a crossroads for cultural exchange.

**A Legacy of Collaboration: Saudi Arabia’s BIENALSUR Journey**
Saudi Arabia’s partnership with BIENALSUR began in 2019 at Riyadh’s National Museum and JAX District, followed by the 2021 edition at Jeddah’s historic Khuzam Palace, spotlighting five Saudi artists. This year’s participation continues the Ministry of Culture’s mission to empower local talent while aligning with **Saudi Vision 2030** goals to drive cultural diplomacy and creative economy growth.

**Driving Global Cultural Dialogue**
The Ministry’s support for BIENALSUR reflects its strategy to connect Saudi artists with international platforms, amplifying their voices and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. By hosting such events, the Kingdom not only showcases its thriving arts scene but also deepens its engagement with global narratives, positioning itself as a leader in cultural innovation.

*BIENALSUR 2023 stands as a testament to art’s power to transcend boundaries, with Saudi Arabia playing a vital role in shaping this dynamic, inclusive dialogue.*

**FAQs about Saudi Arabia’s Participation in BIENALSUR 2023**

1. **What is the significance of Saudi Arabia’s participation in BIENALSUR 2023?**
Saudi Arabia is the first Middle Eastern nation in BIENALSUR’s network, showcasing its cultural influence and fostering global dialogue through art, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals for international cultural exchange.

2. **What does the theme “Strangers in the Palace” symbolize?**
It highlights the contrast between contemporary artworks and the historic National Museum of Decorative Arts, exploring cultural “alienation” experienced by Saudi artists presenting their work in Argentina’s traditional setting.

3. **How many Saudi artists are featured in BIENALSUR 2023?**
Ten Saudi artists are exhibiting their works alongside 400 creators from 27 countries, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing prominence in the global art scene.

4. **Where and when will Saudi Arabia host BIENALSUR 2023 events?**
Saudi Arabia will serve as an international station from July to December 2023, though specific venues within the Kingdom are yet to be announced.

5. **How does BIENALSUR align with Saudi Vision 2030?**
The event supports Vision 2030’s cultural objectives by promoting cross-cultural collaboration, elevating Saudi artists globally, and positioning the Kingdom as a hub for creative exchange.

6. **What historic venues has Saudi Arabia used for past BIENALSUR editions?**
Previous editions were hosted at Riyadh’s National Museum and Jax District (2019) and Jeddah’s Khuzam Palace (2021), blending heritage sites with modern art.

7. **Why is Argentina’s National Museum of Decorative Arts a key venue?**
The palace’s historic ambiance contrasts with contemporary Saudi artworks, embodying the theme’s focus on cultural juxtaposition and dialogue between tradition and modernity.

8. **How many countries and cities participate in BIENALSUR 2023?**
The biennial spans 170 venues across 70 cities in 27 nations, making it one of the largest decentralized contemporary art exhibitions globally.

9. **What opportunities does BIENALSUR offer Saudi artists?**
It provides a platform to engage with international artists, gain exposure on prestigious stages, and contribute to narratives of cultural diversity and pluralism.

10. **Who are the key figures involved in BIENALSUR 2023’s inauguration?**
Attendees included Saudi Cultural Affairs Officer Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Laheeb, BIENALSUR director Aníbal Jozami, and Artistic Director Diana Wechsler, who praised Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role.

11. **How does BIENALSUR promote cultural exchange?**
By uniting artists from diverse backgrounds to explore shared human experiences through art, fostering mutual understanding and dismantling geographic or ideological barriers.

12. **What distinguishes BIENALSUR from other art biennials?**
Its decentralized structure, spanning multiple continents and prioritizing cultural equity, allows underrepresented regions like the Middle East to engage equally in global art discourse.

13. **Can the public attend BIENALSUR exhibitions in Saudi Arabia?**
Yes, events hosted in the Kingdom will be open to the public, continuing the Ministry of Culture’s mission to expand access to international art locally.

14. **How does Saudi Arabia’s 2023 participation compare to past editions?**
This marks its third hosting, expanding from 5 artists in 2021 to 10 in 2023, reflecting growing institutional support for the Kingdom’s creative sector.

15. **What long-term impact does BIENALSUR aim to achieve?**
It seeks to establish enduring networks between Southern Hemisphere artists, challenge Eurocentric art narratives, and amplify voices from culturally rich but historically marginalized regions.

**🔍 CTA (Llamado a la Acción):**
¡Descubre el poder transformador del arte y sé parte de esta experiencia global! Visita la BIENALSUR 2023 en sus sedes internacionales, incluida Arabia Saudita, y sumérgete en las obras de los 10 talentosos artistas saudíes que están redefiniendo fronteras culturales. Consulta fechas, ubicaciones y actividades en [www.bienalsur.org](https://www.bienalsur.org) o sigue las redes sociales del Ministerio de Cultura de Arabia Saudita para actualizaciones exclusivas. ¡El arte no conoce límites—únete al diálogo!

**🎨 Conclusión:**
La BIENALSUR 2023 no solo celebra la creatividad contemporánea, sino que también teje puentes entre tradición y modernidad, entre Oriente y Occidente. Con Arabia Saudita como protagonista clave, esta edición refuerza el compromiso del Reino con la diplomacia cultural y la visión de un mundo interconectado a través del arte. Cada obra exhibida, desde Buenos Aires hasta Riad, es un testimonio de cómo el arte desafía la alienación, convirtiendo a los “extraños” en aliados de un patrimonio humano compartido. Este evento, alineado con los objetivos de la Visión 2030, consolida el legado saudí como faro de innovación y diálogo en el escenario global.

**🙏 Agradecimiento:**
Un profundo agradecimiento al Ministerio de Cultura de Arabia Saudita, a los artistas participantes y a los organizadores de BIENALSUR por hacer posible este encuentro de voces y visiones. Gracias también a las instituciones aliadas, como el Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas de Buenos Aires y Khuzam Palace, por ser custodios de este diálogo intercultural. Finalmente, a ustedes, el público: su curiosidad y apoyo son el motor que impulsa estas iniciativas. Juntos, seguiremos construyendo un futuro donde el arte sea el lenguaje universal que nos une. 🌍✨

*#BIENALSUR2023 #CulturaSaudita #Vision2030*