- Paris Opera is one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious opera houses
- About 350 cinemas are expected to be in operation by 2030
PARIS: France is to help 抖阴短视频 set up a national orchestra and opera as part of a series of agreements signed on Monday to boost cultural cooperation.
鈥淭oday an agreement was signed with the Paris Opera to help 抖阴短视频 set up a national orchestra and an opera,鈥� said French Culture Minister Francoise Nyssen, during a joint press conference with Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad.
The deal will see the Paris Opera company help the Kingdom produce its own classical music and shows, AFP reported.
Founded in 1669 by the then king, Louis XIV, Paris Opera is one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious opera houses.
The agreement comes during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman鈥檚 visit to France 鈥� the fourth leg of his foreign tour, and one focused on building relations through culture, the arts and heritage.
Nyssen said she had also discussed 鈥渢he importance of translating books in both directions, from Arabic into French and French into Arabic.鈥�
A key pillar of the visit is the collaboration with Paris to develop 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Al-Ula, an area in the northwest packed with ancient archaeological sites, into a key attraction for visitors while using French expertise in its preservation.
The agreements in France highlight the importance of culture and the arts in the sweeping social and economic reform program being led by the crown prince.
Several other agreements were signed and events held related to cultural cooperation in Paris on Monday.
On Sunday, Arab News revealed that 抖阴短视频 would officially participate for the first time in the Cannes Film Festival
Al-Awwad said the Kingdom would submit a selection of short films when the prestigious competition opens next month.
鈥淲ith a rich tradition of storytelling, 抖阴短视频 is embarking on the development of a sustainable and dynamic (film) industry,鈥� Al-Awwad told AFP
The Kingdom is reopening cinemas on April 18 for the first time in more than 35 years. About 350 cinemas are expected to be in operation by 2030.
AMC, the largest cinema operator in the world, was awarded an operating license last week by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Last year, the heir to the throne set up the Misk Art Institute in Riyadh, aimed at the young and designed to encourage grassroots artistic productions in 抖阴短视频.
In Paris on Monday, the institute held a two-day 鈥渇estival of culture鈥� showcasing work from nine Saudi artists and featuring the VR documentary film Reframe Saudi.
MisKulturExpo, as it was named, takes place over two days at the prestigious famous Arab World Institute. Collectively, the documentary and exhibits demonstrate how art and the creative industries are an integral part of the change that is transforming 抖阴短视频,鈥� Ahmed Mater, director of the Misk Art Institute, said.
鈥淚t is essential at this time that Saudi artists engage with audiences around the world, as they are here in Paris, to help to tell the continuing story of change in 抖阴短视频.鈥�
Another exhibition titled the 鈥淪audi Cultural Days鈥� organized by the Kingdom鈥檚 General Culture Authority also got underway in the French capital on Monday.
The three-day event at the Tokyo Palace of Art will offer a variety of artistic and cultural activities, including cinematic performances and discussions held in the presence of artists and directors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It also includes art exhibitions dealing with heritage and modern art and panel discussions with the artists.