Diriyah, Saudi Arabia Named Capital of Arab Culture for 2030

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has welcomed the designation of Diriyah as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2030, announced by the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The selection recognizes the city’s distinguished standing as a timeless symbol of the rich culture of Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East, as well as its remarkable history and civilizational heritage that are still influential today.

Hosted in Dubai, UAE, the Arab Ministers of Culture from across the region chose Diriyah for the coveted designation at their annual meeting held under the umbrella of ALECSO from 19-20 December 2021. The recognition followed the organization’s Permanent Culture Committee’s approval, making Diriyah the second Saudi city to be named the Capital of Arab Culture after Riyadh, which received the honor in 2000.

Speaking immediately after the announcement, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture and Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, for their tremendous support in protecting, nurturing, and promoting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

His Highness, the Minister of Culture, asserted that the choice of Diriyah as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2030 represented the culmination of the journey of the capital of the first Saudi state and the historical and civilizational riches it had protected and fostered over the centuries, making it one of the most prominent historical sites that will continue to create a cultural impact that lasts forever. Furthermore, his Highness also pointed out that the crowning of Diriyah in 2030, in particular, carries great implications, as it is the same year when Saudi Arabia aims to achieve its ambitious national development objectives outlined in Vision 2030.


Today, Diriyah is experiencing a major leap forward as an outcome of the Royal Decree of 2017 that established the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) to develop and promote the city as one of the Kingdom’s giga projects. The Saudi leadership envisions Diriyah’s elevation as one of the most important global cultural tourism destinations, driven by its cultural and heritage value.

The selection of Diriyah as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2030 will be marked by various events, including art exhibitions and workshops, theatre and film shows, festivals, competitions, and cultural weeks. The events will also include the exchange of delegations and artistic teams, thus enriching the existing cultural institutions and developing their performance to foster creativity, encourage talent, support intellectuals, and revitalize the cultural arena.


It is noteworthy that ALECSO is the organization that selects the capitals of Arab culture, following it and its Permanent Culture Committee studies them and reports to the annual conference of the Arab Ministers of Culture to approve the naming of the Arab Capital of Culture for approval of its selection.