Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 8, 2025 – In a significant step toward deepening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Italy, Assistant Minister of Culture, Rakan bin Ibrahim Altouq, met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Saudi Arabia, Carlo Baldocci, at the Ministry of Culture’s headquarters in Diriyah. The meeting focused on reinforcing bilateral cultural cooperation and exploring avenues for mutual collaboration in a variety of cultural sectors.
Altouq opened the discussions by highlighting the Ministry of Culture’s active participation in several prestigious cultural events in Italy throughout 2024. Notably, he emphasized Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the 60th Venice Art Biennale, one of the most renowned international art exhibitions, where the Kingdom showcased its artistic achievements and the growing influence of its contemporary art scene on the global stage. Additionally, Altouq mentioned Saudi Arabia’s successful participation in the Artigiano in Fiera exhibitions, an important platform for showcasing craftsmanship, traditional arts, and artisanal products, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting its rich heritage to a global audience.
Building on these accomplishments, both Altouq and Baldocci agreed on the importance of continuing and enhancing cultural exchanges, focusing on diverse areas such as heritage preservation, architecture, visual arts, theater, filmmaking, and culinary arts. These sectors, they noted, offer rich potential for collaboration, aligning with both nations' shared goals of preserving cultural heritage while fostering innovation and creativity in the arts. The discussion underscored the significance of strengthening cultural diplomacy, not only to promote each country's unique cultural expressions but also to build bridges between the people of Saudi Arabia and Italy.
A key point of the meeting was the exploration of short- and long-term loan programs between museums in Saudi Arabia and Italy. These programs, Altouq stressed, would facilitate the exchange of priceless cultural artifacts, creating new opportunities for knowledge sharing and enhancing public understanding of each country’s historical and artistic legacies. By providing access to rare collections and exhibitions, both countries aim to enrich their cultural offerings and promote a deeper appreciation of their respective histories and artistic traditions.
The meeting also provided a platform to discuss future joint initiatives, aimed at expanding opportunities for educational collaboration in the arts, building sustainable partnerships, and enhancing opportunities for young artists, filmmakers, and cultural practitioners from both countries. The continued focus on such partnerships is seen as essential in fostering long-term cultural dialogue and collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
In conclusion, the meeting between Altouq and Baldocci marks another important milestone in Saudi Arabia’s growing cultural diplomacy. Through ongoing and expanding exchanges in areas such as visual arts, architecture, and heritage preservation, both nations are committed to enhancing mutual understanding, building stronger cultural ties, and celebrating their shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage while embracing innovation and creative expression in the arts.