Paris, France, 15th November 2024 – His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, met with the Minister of Culture for the French Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Rachida Dati, in Paris to further cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Overseeing 11 sector specific commissions, His Highness Prince Bader and Her Excellency Ms. Dati discussed the potential for new partnerships across multiple cultural sectors, including museums, libraries, theatre and performing arts, culinary arts, film, heritage and visual arts. The discussions centered on ways to bolster cooperation and international cultural exchange in the fields of museums, libraries, theater and performing arts, culinary arts, heritage, and films. The two countries explored plans to exchange Islamic and Arabic manuscripts for exhibitions, cooperating through international art residencies which introduce Saudi talent to the French art scene, and an exchange program in theatre and performing arts with the Paris National Opera.

His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, said: “Meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Rachida Dati reaffirms our mutual commitment to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France. I look forward to the many new initiatives and programs that will enrich the cultural landscape in both countries.”

The meeting follows Her Excellency Ms. Dati’s visit to the Kingdom in March where she explored several prominent cultural venues and events in Riyadh including the Diriyah Biennale for Contemporary Art and Irqah Cultural Center.

France and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their partnership through a series of collaborative initiatives. This year the Saudi Film Commission participated in the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival with a Saudi Arabia pavilion. Saudi film “Norah” was the first film from Saudi Arabia to be screened at the festival, fostering cultural exchange at the international event. In 2022, the Saudi Ministry of Culture, represented by the Saudi Heritage Commission, together with the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) commemorated 20 years of meaningful collaboration between the Kingdom and France in the field of archeology with a two-day symposium in Saudi Arabia.

Notable initiative also include a selection of Islamic artifacts loaned from the Louvre are also set to be exhibited at the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture is leading a cultural renaissance and recognizes the importance of international partnerships to build bridges of understanding between nations and communities. This dedication is evident through the diverse range of partnerships with France, spanning museums, libraries, film, heritage, visual and culinary arts, emphasizing the mutual dedication of both nations to fostering cultural exchange and understanding.