Entertainment Desk

A vibrant celebration of Bangladesh’s diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle unfolded in the heart of Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Riyadh Season 2024.

The four-day event being held at the Al-Suwaidi Park under the ‘Global Harmony’ initiative is aimed at bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding between the people of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

On the first day of the “Bangladesh Culture” segment of the prestigious Riyadh Season, which started at 5:45 pm (local time), a mesmerising blend of music and dance captivated audiences.

Renowned DJ Sonica enthralled both Bangladeshi expatriates and people from other countries, including the KSA, with her energetic performance.

The joyful melodies of folk band Baul Probash took the attendees to rural Bangladesh while a dance show portrayed the country’s cultural tapestry.

On the second day on Thursday, two cultural programmes were arranged much to the enjoyment of the Bangladeshi expatriates.

The high-profile event attracts expatriates in Saudi Arabia, offering a vibrant glimpse into the traditions, art and customs of Bangladesh.

A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities and influencers from Bangladesh are showcasing the country’s rich culture and heritage through their performances in the event.

Apart from the cultural performance, stalls of different Bangladeshi artefacts and cuisine set up on the park premises have put Bangladesh’s traditions on display.

The notable participants include iconic Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James, cricketers Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad, DJ Sonica and popular singers Porshi. James performs at the event on Friday.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Anis, a Bangladeshi expatriate from the Tangail district who has been living in Riyadh for three years, said, “We the expatriate Bangladeshis enjoy this programme very much. We give special thanks to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for arranging such an event, which fills our heart with joy.”

Helal Khan, an expatriate from Pakistan, said they also enjoy the celebration of Riyadh Season and Bangladeshi cultural show.

Talking to reporters, a number of Bangladeshi expatriates working in Riyadh and other Saudi cities said they actually wait for the celebration to break the monotony of their daily life and get in touch with their own culture in their expatriate life staying thousands of miles away from their country.

They also observed that such a programme enhances harmony among the people of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan has recently said the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka is issuing a good number of visas every day, which is adding up to the already 3 million workforce employed in Saudi Arabia.

He expressed eagerness to recruit more workers, especially skilled and trained workforce, to support his country’s ambitious initiatives like ‘Green Saudi Initiative’ and mega projects under the Kingdom Vision 2030.

In 2023, about half a million Bangladeshis visited Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and Hajj, a 37% increase from the previous year.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening its connections with the large expatriate community residing within the country.

The Ministry of Media has launched the ‘Global Harmony’ Initiative as part of the “Quality of Life” programme to attain Vision 2030 objectives.

“The initiative aims to showcase the diverse lives of residents in the Kingdom, highlight their professional and family life, social and recreational activities, contributions to the economy, success stories and cultural integration in Saudi society. It’ll also highlight government and private sector efforts to improve the quality of life in Saudi cities,” an official of the Ministry of Media of Saudi Arabia told  reporters.

As a track of the initiative, the Ministry of Media, in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority, arranged events in Riyadh Season, starting from 13 August. These events are featuring cultural, artistic and folkloric activities and shows, attended by prominent media outlets in the residents’ countries.

Cultures of nine different countries — India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Bangladesh and Egypt — are being presented in several events in the Riyadh Season for 45 days starting from 12 October. The programmes include concerts, cultural and entertainment family events, traditional foods and various handicrafts.

With a focus on cultural exchange, the event aims to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and the participating South Asian nations.

This initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of fostering a more inclusive and globally connected society, reinforcing its role as a hub for cultural exchange and mutual respect.