Saudi Arabia and European countries have signed a charter to establish a cultural network in Saudi Arabia in order to promote and enhance cultural links between the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom.
The European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) has been set up with a charter that was signed by ambassadors on Thursday at the Austrian Embassy in Riyadh. The members include the embassies of Austria, France, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic, along with the Goethe Institut.
This charter purposes to improve communication and dialogue between the EU countries and Saudi Arabia resulting in more cultural activity and opportunities in the Kingdom’s cultural sectors including fashion, film, music, architecture, design, and virtual arts.
“What we would like to do is implement projects together with Saudi-powered institutions interested in working with us but we also stand ready to provide capacity building and we can bring in experts,” Wolfgang Kutschera, deputy head of mission at the Austrian Embassy in Riyadh said.
Director of the International Multilateral Institutions Department at the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia, Sulaf al-Jindan attended the signing on behalf of the Kingdom.
In Saudi Arabia, EUNIC is currently working on two projects. In November, there will be an EU film festival, as well as an architectural event in Riyadh focused on sustainable living solutions.
EUNIC has 125 clusters in over 90 countries with the goal of fostering cultural exchange between European countries and the rest of the globe.
