Culture week of Saudi Arabia opens in Beijing

This one encapsulates the best of folk arts, calligraphy, paintings, and costumes from Saudi Arabia. It opened Wednesday at the Beijing World Art Museum and heralds the arrival of Culture Week of Saudi Arabia in Beijing.

The show is co-organized by China's Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia.

The event also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia.

Traditionally clad artists from Saudi Arabia welcome visitors at the entrance of World Art Museum, heating up the atmosphere with song and dance performances saturated with authentic Arabic flavor.

From exquisitely carved sculptures and Arabic calligraphy and paintings, to traditional Saudi Arabian attire and glittering accessories, the exhibition features a wide range of well-selected contributions that best represent the art and culture of the country.

The exhibition brings together both veteran and emerging artists from Saudi Arabia. Visitors are thrilled not only by how the artists fuse traditional and modern elements, but also the amazing variety of on location performances that capture the essence of the Saudi Arabian culture.

Present at the opening ceremony of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Week are officials and representatives from both China and Saudi Arabia, who joined forces in cutting the ribbon.

Zhao Shaohua, vice minister of Ministry of Culture, China, said, "China and Saudi Arabia established their diplomatic relationship on July 21st, 1990. Over the past two decades, the two nations have developed a strategic cooperative relationship, and the growing cultural exchange programs between the two peoples have strengthened Sino-Saudi ties."

Apart from the art exhibition, the cultural week will also feature traditional dance performances by Saudi Arabian artists in Beijing, as well as screenings of contemporary Saudi Arabian movies reflecting the country's unique customs and practices.

The exhibition runs at the World Art Museum in Beijing until Sunday.