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Princess Sora bint Saud launches interactive book celebrating Riyadh

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 October 2025

Princess Sora bint Saud launches interactive book celebrating Riyadh

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. (Supplied)
  • Part of Sora Collection, book spotlights history, culture
  • Born from ‘deep love’ of homeland, she tells Arab News

RIYADH: Princess Sora bint Saud recently unveiled “Riyadh,” the first book in her Sora Collection, which is a series of interactive publications designed to highlight the culture, history, and heritage of ֱ’s regions.

The luxury edition combines storytelling, illustration, and creative design, offering readers an immersive experience of the Saudi capital.

The book serves as a comprehensive guide to Riyadh, showcasing historic landmarks including Al-Masmak Fortress and the UNESCO-listed Diriyah, alongside modern icons such as the Kingdom Tower and Al-Faisaliah Tower.




“The book is just the starting point — there’s so much more that will be added; it’s going to be more of a lifestyle brand, but all relatable to the 13 regions.” (Supplied)

It also highlights traditional markets and heritage dishes including “haneeni,” “matazeez,” and “marqooq,” desert activities, and cultural experiences that capture the city’s unique character.

Speaking to Arab News, Princess Sora said: “The Sora Collection was born from a deep love for my homeland. I began the project back in 2022, and it took time to bring together all the right elements, from the concept and design to storytelling … to present it in the best way possible.

“The idea came from realizing that there wasn’t anything simple yet meaningful that covered all regions of ֱ in a creative and accessible way. I wanted to create something that could serve as a starting point for readers, especially children, to build their curiosity and discoveries from.

FASTFACTS

• Part of the Sora Collection, book spotlights history, culture.

• Born from ‘deep love’ of homeland, she tells Arab News.

“Each book is designed to inspire, while also living beautifully as a coffee table piece that invites conversation, pride, and connection to our culture.

“The book is just the starting point — there’s so much more that will be added; it’s going to be more of a lifestyle brand, but all relatable to the 13 regions.”

Crafted with historical accuracy and aesthetic appeal, the books provide an educational yet engaging experience for readers of all ages.

The launch comes amid ֱ’s cultural and tourism renaissance under Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a leading global destination.

Princess Sora’s series is expected to attract wide interest from readers, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts.

It presents “Riyadh” as more than a book but as a starting to discover ֱ in all its richness and diversity.


Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year’s festival of light and art

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year’s festival of light and art
Updated 05 November 2025

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year’s festival of light and art

Noor Riyadh announces artists for this year’s festival of light and art
  • This year’s curatorial theme, “In the Blink of an Eye,” reflects the rapid transformation shaping Riyadh

RIYADH: The annual Noor Riyadh, the region’s largest international festival of light and art, has announced its list of participating artists, gearing up for the 2025 launch that will run from Nov. 20-Dec. 6. 

The show, curated by Mami Kataoka, Li Zhenhua and Sara Almutlaq, takes place in various hubs across Riyadh and will include 60 artworks by 59 artists, representing 24 nationalities, with 35 newly commissioned pieces. 

“Noor Riyadh is defined by its artists; their ideas, their courage and their vision,” said Nouf Almoneef, festival director of Noor Riyadh. “Each work captures the city’s momentum through light, reminding us that creativity is a universal language that connects cultures and inspires dialogue.” 

Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Love Difference" (2025). (Supplied)

This year’s curatorial theme, “In the Blink of an Eye,” reflects the rapid transformation shaping Riyadh.

The festival will present work responding to the theme by leading international and local artists, including Saad Al-Howede, Monira Al-Qadiri, Abdulrahman Al-Soliman, James Clar, Ivana Franke, fuse*, Ayoung Kim, Shinji Ohmaki, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Muhannad Shono.

The show will also include a special installation dedicated to the work of the late Safeya Binzagr (1940–2024), a leading figure of ֱ’s modern art movement and the first female Saudi artist to hold a solo exhibition in 1968. 

Croatian artist Ivana Franke's "Center" (2024). (Supplied)

“Light is both a medium and a metaphor for transformation,” said Kataoka, the curatorial advisory lead. “‘In the Blink of an Eye’ reveals how quickly perception can shift — offering a moment to pause within the momentum of change and see beauty in what is constantly evolving.”

The 2025 festival is led by an international curatorial team that brings together distinct perspectives on contemporary culture, whose vision connects Riyadh’s historical heart to its modern skyline and metro network. The show invites audiences to encounter light as a medium for perception, memory and momentum. 

The festival’s program will have Noor Riyadh unfold across six locations this year: Qasr Al-Hokm District, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, stc Metro Station, KAFD Metro Station, Al-Faisaliah Tower and JAX District. 

Saudi artist Saad Al-Howede's "Memory Melting" (2025). (Supplied)

Held under the umbrella of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Art, Noor Riyadh echoes Riyadh Art’s mission to transform the Kingdom’s capital city by sparking creativity and enriching daily lives. 

Since its inception, Riyadh Art has showcased more than 550 artworks by 500 Saudi and international artists, attracting more than 9.6 million visitors and spectators through its major programs. Noor Riyadh transforms everyday public spaces into distinctive encounters, hoping to create a sense of shared wonder across communities through art.

The full list of the festival’s 2025 participating artists includes: Addie Wagenknecht (US), Abdulrahman Al-Soliman (ֱ), Abdelrahman Elshahed (ֱ), Ahmad Angawi (ֱ), Alex Schweder (US), Alexandra Gelis (Colombia and Canada), Ayoung Kim (South Korea), atelier oi + WonderGlass (Switzerland), Christian Partos (Sweden), Christophe Berthonneau (France), dies_ (Italy), Saad Al-Howede (ֱ), Edwin van der Heide (Netherlands), Encor Studio (Switzerland), Fatma Abdulhadi (ֱ), Francesco Simeti (Italy), fuse* (Italy), Guillaume Cousin (France), Hmoud Alattawi (ֱ), Iregular (Canada), Ivana Franke (Croatia), James Clar (Philippines and US), Karolina Halatek (Poland), Khalid Zahid (ֱ), Kurt Hentschlager (Austria), Laszlo Zsolt Bordos (Hungary), Loris Cecchini (Italy), Marnix De Nijs (Netherlands), Michelangelo Pistoletto (Italy), Mohammed Farea (ֱ), Monira Al-Qadiri (Kuwait), Muhannad Shono (ֱ), n + n Corsino (France), Nebras Aljoaib (ֱ), Obaid Alsafi (ֱ), Otolab (Italy), Plastique Fantastique (Germany), Random International (UK), Rejane Cantoni (Brazil), Robert Seidel (Germany), Roman Hill (US and France), Ryoichi Kurokawa (Japan), Safeya Binzagr (ֱ), Saeed Gebaan (ֱ), Shinji Ohmaki (Japan), Shiro Takatani (Dumb Type, Japan), Shun Ito (Japan), Six N. Five (Ezequiel Pini, Argentina), someform Studio (Germany), Studio Above&Below (UK), Tonoptik (Russia), Traumnovelle (Belgium), Vali Chincisan (Romania), Wang Yuyang (China), Wu Chi-Tsung (Taiwan), Zeitguised (Germany), Zhang Zengzeng (China), Zheng Da (China) and Ziyad Alroqi (ֱ).