Everything you need to know about Noor Riyadh 2024
Lights up…
By this time next month, the largest light festival in the world will be back in the capital, and when we say we can’t wait, we well and truly mean it. To prove our excitement, we’re giving you a full Noor Riyadh 2024 guide to get you just as excited as we are. Here’s everything you need to know about the mega return.
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Dates
Returning for 17 days, Noor Riyadh 2024 is returning from Thursday November 28 to Saturday December 14. The festival will return bigger and brighter than ever this year, living up to its title of the largest light art festival in the world.
Theme
This time around, the festival is set to display over 60 stunning artworks under the theme of ‘Light Years Apart,’ which explores the relationship between Althara (the earth) and Althuraya (the sky). Drawing on the symbolism of the Thuraya star cluster, also known as the Pleiades star cluster, which is considered a beacon of guidance and inspiration. The theme reflects the power of creativity to bridge vast distances, both literal and metaphorical.
Curators
This edition of the festival will be curated by Dr Effat Abdullah Fadag and International curator Dr Alfredo Cramerotti. Dr Effat Abdullah Fadag is an associate professor of fine arts at the University of Jeddah and a multidisciplinary artist herself. She’s also the founder of Naqsh Art Studio in Jeddah and has played a key role in furthering contemporary Saudi art and has contributed extensively to local arts and education.
International curator Dr Alfredo Cramerotti is a cultural entrepreneur, curator, writer, broadcaster and publisher in the fields of art and advanced technologies, he’s also the newly appointed Director of The Media Majlis
Hubs
This year’s festival will be held across three key locations, including King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifa, and JAX District.
King Abdulaziz Historical Center, known as one of Riyadh’s foremost cultural landmarks will be hosting exhibitions and museums that highlight the rich heritage of the Kingdom, bridging creating a connection between authenticity and modernity.
Wadi Hanifa, a gorgeous symbol of Riyadh’s natural landscape, provides a beautiful backdrop for the open-air light and art installations, allowing visitors to engage with artworks in a natural environment.
The final key location is the art district of the capital, JAX District. Known for its exhibitions, art studios, and cultural projects, serves as a hub for contemporary arts and now Noor Riyadh too.
What to expect
Noor Riyadh endeavours to enhance community interaction and to spread the manifestations of art and beauty in the city by promoting art in public spaces, fostering the local art movement, and encouraging more creativity and innovation.
In previous editions, the festival has showcased a variety of artworks in specific hubs, in the 2023 edition, these were locations like King Abdullah Financial District, the art district JAX Diriyah, Wadi Hanifah, Salam Park, and Wadi Namar. So, we can only imagine what the 2024 version has in store.
Noor Riyadh 2024, various locations. riyadhart.sa