Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Participates in Expo 2025 Osaka

Expo 2025 Osaka takes place in Japan from April 13 to October 13 - SPA
Expo 2025 Osaka takes place in Japan from April 13 to October 13 - SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Participates in Expo 2025 Osaka

Expo 2025 Osaka takes place in Japan from April 13 to October 13 - SPA
Expo 2025 Osaka takes place in Japan from April 13 to October 13 - SPA

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has announced in a press release its participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, which takes place in Japan from April 13 to October 13, as part of the Saudi Pavilion.

Its presence at the Expo underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the cultural sector and strengthening its role as a driver of economic growth and long-term sustainability—aligned with the National Culture Strategy and Vision 2030’s goals for economic diversification.
CDF will contribute to highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and flourishing cultural identity, shaped by Vision 2030.

According to SPA, it aims to welcome global investment, foster cultural entrepreneurship, and encourage innovation, while showcasing the sector’s potential to contribute to sustainable development.
It will also organize a range of activities that spotlight investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape. A key focus will be on cultural entrepreneurship and businesses as drivers of economic growth and social impact—particularly through the lens of the Year of Handicrafts initiative.
CDF will also take part in panel discussions and networking sessions alongside local and global experts, offering insights into the Kingdom’s diverse cultural landscape across its 16 cultural sectors. These sessions will introduce CDF’s tailored financial and enablement solutions to support cultural projects and businesses. Additionally, dedicated workshops will be held to familiarize participants with available support and highlight the Saudi cultural sector’s economic potential.
CDF CEO Majed Al-Hugail stated: "Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects our commitment to supporting and shaping a vibrant, sustainable cultural sector—one that fuels economic growth and attracts top-tier investment, both locally and globally. We are proud to feature the stories of CDF beneficiaries, who will share their creative journeys with Expo visitors as inspiring examples of Saudi cultural innovation. We continue to reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading force in the global cultural scene, ensuring our efforts are fully aligned with the broader cultural ecosystem. Looking ahead, we remain committed to the journey toward becoming a center of financial excellence in the cultural sector and a key contributor to the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030."
Under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” Expo 2025 Osaka will bring together countries and global organizations to spark global conversations around innovation, sustainability, and resilience and share ideas and initiatives that address common challenges and shape a better future.



Diriyah Art Futures, Schiattarella Associati Inaugurate 'The Light Footprint' Exhibition in Venice

The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation. (SPA)
The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation. (SPA)
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Diriyah Art Futures, Schiattarella Associati Inaugurate 'The Light Footprint' Exhibition in Venice

The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation. (SPA)
The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation. (SPA)

The Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the MENA region's first New Media Arts hub, inaugurated on Thursday "The Light Footprint," an exhibition in collaboration with Italian architecture studio Schiattarella Associati.

The exhibition's launch, which runs until June 15, coincides with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025 and explores the architectural development of DAF's groundbreaking headquarters in Riyadh, said DAF in a statement.

The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation and presents architectural models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs, and archival objects to highlight the development process of DAF's remarkable headquarters.

The opening event brought together Advisor to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture Mona Khazindar, Director of DAF Haytham Nawar, and Principal Architects of Schiattarella Associati Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella for a guided curator-led tour of the exhibition, highlighting the building's architectural and conceptual vision.

Designed by Schiattarella Associati, the DAF hub sets a new benchmark for developing technologically advanced cultural landmarks that integrate historical context with forward-thinking architectural design. Carved into the escarpment of Diriyah, the design draws on Najdi traditions, local materials, and a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, cultural resonance, and human connection.

Khazindar stated: "We are pleased to present our vision for Diriyah Art Futures alongside the launch of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025. This project embodies our efforts to develop forward-looking cultural institutions that foster bold experimentation and new forms of creative expression rooted in our distinct heritage."

"Through projects like Diriyah Art Futures, we are establishing new benchmarks for contemporary cultural institutions while transforming the Kingdom into a leading global capital for cultural exchange," she added.

Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella said: "Our work begins with the belief that architecture must resist the global flattening of cultural identity by embracing the uniqueness of place. With Diriyah Art Futures, we sought to create something deeply rooted in the local context, which draws on natural materials, historical continuity, and the values of the Najdi tradition to build a contemporary language tied to its environment."

Developed by the Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, DAF is an arts, research, and education hub driven by a belief in the power of interdisciplinary creative practice at the intersection of science and technology.

DAF's 6,550-square-meter hub is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, symbolizing Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop forward-looking institutions, with strong roots in the nation's unique cultural heritage.

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