The newly formed Saudi-Greek cultural committee held its first official meeting on Wednesday, marking a pivotal step in enhancing cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Greece. Co-chaired by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, the committee is part of the broader Saudi-Greek Strategic Partnership Council and aims to implement the cultural memorandum of understanding signed in July 2022.
During the inaugural meeting, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering deeper ties through shared cultural initiatives, heritage exchange, and collaborative events. Prince Badr emphasized that the committee would play a central role in activating long-term cultural cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations.
One of the highlights of recent cultural collaboration was Saudi Cultural Week in Athens, held from September 27 to October 1, 2024. The event drew large audiences and featured a vibrant showcase of Saudi music, theatre, cinema, traditional crafts, cuisine, Arabic calligraphy, and fashion—painting a vivid picture of the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry.
In a reciprocal spirit, Greece participated in the Saudi International Crafts Week hosted in Riyadh in November 2024. Additionally, the renowned Benaki Museum of Athens is contributing to the ongoing Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which began in January and will run through May 2025. This ongoing partnership exemplifies a shared vision to deepen cultural understanding through art, history, and innovation.
Greek Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alexis Konstantopoulos and other senior officials from both countries attended the landmark session, further signaling high-level support for this cultural diplomacy. Both sides agreed that the committee would serve as a dynamic platform to plan and execute future events, academic exchanges, exhibitions, and cooperative museum initiatives.
As the Saudi-Greek cultural committee begins its mission, it is poised to become a model of international collaboration, promoting not just the arts but also a lasting friendship between two historic civilizations.
