Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Culture will host an extensive program of cultural events at the historic Abbazia building in Venice, Italy, from May 10 to November 23, 2025, as part of the Kingdom’s official participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.

Through a curated series of exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops, the initiative will highlight Saudi Arabia’s contemporary creative renaissance and cultural diversity, contributing to global conversations on heritage preservation and artistic innovation.

The program will spotlight architecture and design, heritage, visual arts, fashion, and culinary arts. A special exhibition titled Rooted Transience, showcasing the winning design of the AlMusalla Prize 2025 — an international design competition organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation — will be held on the ground floor of the venue.

The upper floor will house a conference hall for cultural programming, as well as a retail space offering Saudi artisanal products and traditional culinary experiences including Saudi coffee and dates.

The Ministry emphasized that this initiative forms part of its broader efforts to elevate the Kingdom’s cultural presence on international platforms and to introduce global audiences to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and artistic vitality.