Riyadh Season’s New Direction: Turkish Al-Sheikh’s Decision to Feature Gulf Artists Sparks Outrage in Egypt
Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, has announced a major shift in the lineup for the upcoming Riyadh Season, with a focus on featuring Saudi and Gulf artists in the upcoming events.
In a post on his official social media page, Al-Sheikh stated, “Inshallah, for the upcoming Riyadh Season, we will primarily rely on Saudi and Gulf musicians and performers for the musical events.”
He further added that there will be “nearly full reliance on Saudi and Gulf plays, with a slight inclusion of Syrian and international theatrical productions.”
Reactions from Activists and Artists on Al-Sheikh’s Decision
Many Egyptian and Arab activists have expressed concerns over the absence of Egyptian artists in the upcoming Riyadh Season. They argue that Egyptian art is an essential part of Egypt’s soft power and that its absence could impact the success of the season’s activities.
Egyptian director Amir Ramses commented on the issue via his official Facebook account, stating: “I woke up to a wave of anger over Turki Al-Sheikh’s statement about relying on Saudi and Gulf artists for Riyadh Season. But, frankly, I am surprised. In the end, it’s a country’s right to nurture and rely on its own artists.”
He continued, “The question is: If we have the creatives, the theaters, the infrastructure, and the experience, why do we need others? Perhaps we should be angry while looking in the mirror, not blaming others.”
Egyptian Actress Responds: Is the Quality Declining or Rising?
Egyptian actress Hiba Abdel Ghani also reacted to Turki Al-Sheikh’s decision, questioning the future of the industry. In a post on Facebook, she wrote: “Are we going to treat the entertainment industry professionally, or continue to treat it as unimportant? When the quality declines, we ask ourselves why the values of society are being lost.”
Bloggers’ Views: Egyptian Art Cannot Be Replaced
Blogger Mahmoud El-Kholy shared his perspective, saying: “Even if all the talents of the Middle East were gathered, it is Egypt’s soft power that gives art its value. We are still living off the legacies of Naguib Mahfouz, Tawfik Al-Hakim, Abdel Halim Hafez, Om Kalthoum, and Adel Imam.”
Meanwhile, Blogger Mohamed Samir stated: “Self-reliance is something highly respected, and what is more respectful is that the teacher is Egyptian. Be sure that this experiment will succeed.”
He added, “Egypt is the first musical note in the memory of the Arabs, the first stage where they found laughter and emotion. Its absence from this season does not diminish its worth, but it raises the question of who will fill the void it left.”
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