The Noor Riyadh Festival 2023, inaugurated yesterday evening at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), officially commenced today under the theme 'The Bright Side of the Desert Moon'. Spanning from November 30 to December 16, the festival showcases a diverse collection of over 120 artworks by 100 artists from various countries, with a notable representation of 35 local artists.
Distributed across five locations in Riyadh city—KAFD, JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifah, and Wadi Namar—the festival promises a captivating artistic journey through five chapters, seamlessly connecting the heart of Riyadh to the desert outskirts.
Esteemed artistic curators guide the event, with Jérôme Sans as the lead artistic curator, accompanied by curators Pedro Alonzo, Alaa Taabzouni, and Fahad bin Naif. Alongside the festival, the exhibition 'Refracted Identities, Shared Future' at Jax District, curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al Athel, features 32 global artists and runs until March 2, 2024.
Khalid Al-Hazani, the Executive Director of Riyadh Art Program, emphasized the festival's alignment with the city's transformation into an accessible art exhibition. He highlighted the diverse artistic experiences, community engagement, and the festival's role in enhancing the quality of life in the capital. Al-Hazani sees the celebration as a platform for cultural exchange, supporting local talent, and contributing to the Kingdom's cultural economy, in line with the Riyadh Art Program's goals.
Notably, the Riyadh Art Program aims to install 1,000 artworks in public spaces across the city through 12 projects, while the Noor Riyadh Festival has previously achieved eight Guinness World Records in the past two editions.
