Diplomatic Correspondent

The "Bangladesh Culture" segment of the prestigious "Riyadh Season" is set to kick off on Wednesday afternoon (4pm KSA time), showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh.

This high-profile event will highlight various aspects of expatriates' lives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering a vibrant glimpse into the traditions, art, and customs of Bangladesh.

A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities, and influencers from Bangladesh will showcase the country’s rich culture and heritage during a four-day celebration at Al-Suwaidi Park.

The event, filled with vibrant performances, traditional music, dance, and delicious Bangladeshi cuisine, promises to be a spectacular display of Bangladesh's traditions.

Notable participants include iconic Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James, cricketers Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad, DJ Sonica, and popular singers Porshi and Beauty Khan.

The highlight of the event will be James's much-sought first performance in Riyadh, scheduled for November 22.

"It’s indeed exciting news that James will be performing! His first performance in Riyadh is sure to be a memorable event. It sounds like a great plan to join with my friends and enjoy the show. It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to see such an iconic artist live," a Bangladeshi expatriate working in Riyadh told UNB.

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 its ambitious initiatives like 'Green Saudi Initiative' and mega projects under the Kingdom Vision 2030.

The ambassador recalled the invaluable contributions of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the Saudi economy and society, praising them as diligent and hardworking.

They are also sending billions of US dollars annually as remittances.

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 the new initiative aimed at strengthening its connections with the large expatriate community residing within its borders.

Named "Global Harmony," the initiative seeks to highlight various aspects of expatriates' lives in the Kingdom, including their careers, family dynamics, social and recreational activities, contributions to the Saudi economy, and inspiring success stories, an official at the Saudi government told UNB.

The Global Harmony Initiative, part of Riyadh Season 2024, is designed to promote cultural and social harmony among the diverse expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia, including the Bangladeshi diaspora.

This initiative is a collaborative effort under Saudi Vision 2030, involving the General Entertainment Authority, the Ministry of Media, and the Quality of Life Programme.

This year’s "Riyadh Season," organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media, features artists from nine countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

The 45-day festival, which began on October 12, will run through November 30.

With a focus on cultural exchange, the event aims to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and the participating South Asian nations, while positioning the festival as a major winter entertainment attraction on the global stage.

This initiative aligns 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.

Culture resides at the core of the ambitious transformative journey taken by the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Saudi Vision 2030 states that culture is “indispensable to our quality of life” and stresses the need to boost the Kingdom’s cultural output.