Saudi festival like Edinburgh’s would further energize arts scene

This year, as I wandered through the vibrant venues of the Edinburgh Festival — experiencing everything from heartfelt dramas to side-splitting comedies — I found myself imagining a similar gathering in Saudi Arabia.

What if our Kingdom could host an event that brings together artists, audiences and creators in the same spirit of creativity and inclusivity? The impact could be transformative, not just for our artistic scene, but for our economy as well.

During my visit, I met with the British Council team, who were facilitating a conference for Arab festival directors. Their goal was to create collaboration between these directors and Edinburgh’s venues, offering them a firsthand glimpse into what makes them so unique.

This conversation sparked an idea: Could Saudi Arabia host a festival that captures the same essence, energizing our cities with fresh content and a new creative flavor?

Why such a festival in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia already hosts significant events including the Red Sea International Film Festival, MDLBEAST, and Riyadh Season. These festivals have elevated the Kingdom’s cultural landscape, but an Edinburgh-like festival could offer something entirely different.

Imagine a month-long celebration that transforms a city into a vibrant hub of creativity — this is the potential of a Saudi Arabia initiative.

These festivals are renowned for their open-access nature and diverse performances. The Edinburgh event, the world’s largest arts gathering, has turned the city into a global cultural hub, attracting artists and audiences from around the world.

Other countries have adopted their own versions with great success —such as the Avignon festival in France and the Adelaide Fringe in Australia. Could cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam mirror this success?

Dammam possible ideal host city

Among these, Dammam stands out as a prime candidate. The Eastern Province — including Dammam, Al-Ahsa, Dhahran and Qatif  — has a rich history of active arts and theater communities dating to the 1970s.

Dammam has long supported local arts through community shows, actor training, grassroots initiatives, and mini festivals. Some of these have evolved into major events like the Saudi Film Festival, hosted annually at Ithra.

Ithra, part of Saudi Aramco’s public initiative, has been a leading cultural and creative destination in Dhahran since 2018, focusing on talent development and cross-cultural experiences. It also hosts a yearly short play competition to nurture local artists, encouraging them to create new work.

Saudi Arabia already hosts significant events including the Red Sea International Film Festival, MDLBEAST, and Riyadh Season.

Dammam’s strategic location in the Eastern Province, close to Bahrain and Kuwait — Kuwait being historically the most active in theater and film —makes it an ideal hub for attracting regional and international visitors.

With its proximity to major highways, ease of transportation, and an international airport, Dammam offers easy access for performers, tourists, and participants, which could significantly enhance the festival’s reach and impact.

Opportunities and challenges

The potential benefits of a similar Saudi Arabia festival are immense. Economically, it could breathe new life into the city, supporting local businesses and attracting investment in urban areas.

This would lead to infrastructure improvements and create more performance venues, which could serve the community year-round. Additionally, the festival would attract tourists, create jobs, and boost spending in the hospitality sector, contributing to overall economic growth.

A festival would also offer significant opportunities for community engagement. Involving local communities in festival organization and activities could encourage volunteerism and enhance social cohesion.

Furthermore, it would provide local artists and creatives with valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and skills development through interactions with international and regional performers.

Of course, hosting such a festival in Saudi Arabia would come with its challenges. Logistical considerations such as securing venues and accommodating large numbers of performers and audiences, would require meticulous planning.

In addition, the open-access nature of such a festival means that anyone can participate, which could raise concerns about cultural sensitivities.

However, these challenges also present unique opportunities. A well-organized festival could introduce new and diverse narratives into the Saudi Arabia cultural landscape, encouraging dialogue and understanding among different communities.

By carefully curating performances, the festival could bridge the gap between traditional values and contemporary artistic expression. This would not only enrich the Kingdom’s culture but also stimulate the local economy through tourism and cultural investment.

Vision for the future

A Saudi Arabia festival has the potential to be a groundbreaking addition to the Kingdom’s cultural calendar.

It would distinguish itself from other events like MDLBEAST, the Red Sea International Film Festival, and Riyadh Season by offering a platform for grassroots creativity, artistic exploration, and cross-cultural dialogue.

By embracing the spirit of Edinburgh, Saudi Arabia could not only enrich its own artistic landscape but also offer something truly unique to the world.

As Saudi Arabia continues to expand the boundaries of its cultural landscape, the question remains: What role can we play in bringing this vision to life?

• Soha Khan is Saudi creative-sector advisor and leader, specializing in performing arts and entertainment. With diverse expertise in the UK and Saudi Arabia markets, she excels as a producer, artistic director, speaker and coach. Khan’s passion for theater advocacy drives her to guide individuals, companies and cultural sectors, fostering the advancement of performing arts in the Kingdom.