Saudi Arabia welcomes trilateral border treaty between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan    Trump prepares to unveil sweeping new US tariffs on 'Liberation Day'    At least 22 civilians killed in Israeli strike on UNRWA clinic in Gaza    UK says it won't jump into US trade war as Starmer urges calm response to tariffs    Russia, Ukraine trade fresh accusations of violating US-brokered energy ceasefire deal    Swedish table tennis legend Jörgen Persson appointed head coach of Saudi national team    Danilo Pereira fires Al Ittihad into King's Cup final with dramatic stoppage-time double    Over 1 million pilgrims benefit from golf cart service at Grand Mosque during Ramadan    Visitors welcomed with Eid initiative at Thee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha    Tebuk emir reviews rain response in Tayma    Saudi Arabia considers rent cap as part of major real estate reforms    Messi's bodyguard banned from touchline at Inter Miami games    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Haramain High-Speed Railway transports over 1.2 million passengers during Ramadan    Saudi Transport Authority says passengers can ride for free if taxi meters are off    Ministry of Education forms 425 community partnerships with SR653 million impact    Mexico bans junk food in schools to fight childhood obesity epidemic    Sweet sales surge ahead of Eid as Saudi chocolate imports top 123 million kg in 2024    Saudi creatives shine at Jeddah's Fawanees Nights with art, fashion, and storytelling    T1 CEO confirms Gumayusi's return for LCK Spring after lineup shakeup    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Toward developing Saudi entertainment industry
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 29 - 03 - 2017


Makkah
FINALLY an entity for entertainment was formed. We were extremely happy when the General Authority for Entertainment was born in April 2016. Now on Saudis will not need to travel abroad to have entertainment and relaxation after tedious work days.
They also need not skip their duties on working days to enjoy the weekend in a neighboring Gulf country or go to cinemas, which do not exist in their country.
However, my happiness did not last long after knowing that the authority lacked a clear vision and plan. We have been expecting some beautiful things from this organization.
The first spark of frustration was caused by the authority's negative stand on cinema. The authority's calendar of events was also not very impressive as it gave me the feeling that it's just an organizer like the municipality and mayoralty, nothing more.
Another thing that disappointed me was the authority's desire to import entertainment as if modernity required importing of ideas from abroad.
It seems that the authority is making slow steps to achieve its goals. It looks hesitant and shy away from taking crucial decisions. The organization's website is still not ready.
The authority's vision statement is unclear and it does not include its message and objectives. People like me wanted to see it as a well-organized body.
It should be issuing licenses and permissions for businessmen and young entrepreneurs to start entertainment projects on the basis of a clear strategy and specific laws taking into consideration the Kingdom's entertainment requirements.
Of course it would start following programs of world-class standard, having contemporary thoughts and ideas and should address all segments of society. The holding of a program in Jeddah, another in Riyadh and a third in Dammam does not mean the authority has done something worthwhile.
I am looking forward to the authority's determination to issue licenses for building world-class institutes of art that will accommodate Saudis and expats having creative ideas to develop their skills in order to strengthen the Kingdom's entertainment industry.
The authority should establish partnerships with universities and other educational institutions to support academic projects at student deanships or community colleges and establish departments for entertainment and creativity in the Kingdom's colleges.
We don't need to host international teams in every event and we don't need to import entertainment from abroad. Our major challenge should be to produce our own quality entertainment. We should be able to export them in order highlight our identity and creativity.
Foreign television channels often compete with one another to show YouTube video clips produced by Saudis. We have also seen our stage programs taking the center stage at Arab cultural events.
We have to make greater efforts in this field in order to show the world that we have our own entertainment programs thanks to the creativity of our young men and women.


Clic here to read the story from its source.