Saudi cultural event to highlight common ground with China

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has announced the third edition of the Common Ground Festival, a multi-sensory cultural exchange event celebrating the profound heritage of Saudi Arabia and China, as well as the time-honored artistic synergies between the two nations.

As this marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the two countries are rolling out a series of vibrant cultural exchange activities under the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year framework.

Set to run from Dec 24 to Jan 6 at the Malfa Hall in Misk City, Riyadh, the festival will spotlight the shared artistic traditions and creative expressions of the two nations.

As a key platform of the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, the event will celebrate the depth of Saudi and Chinese heritage through art exhibitions, live performances, and collaborative showcases that invite visitors to experience culture through sight, sound and emotion.

Drawing inspiration from historical exchange routes, the program will also feature artisans and cultural vendors presenting traditional crafts, handmade goods, tea and coffee offerings, and cultural souvenirs from both countries. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore live craft demonstrations in celebration of the designation of 2025 as the Year of the Handicrafts.

Culinary experiences will further deepen this cultural dialogue, with Saudi coffee and dates paired alongside Chinese tea brewing practices and traditional delicacies, allowing visitors to experience the symbolic role of hospitality deeply rooted in both cultures.

Through this event, the kingdom aims to build platforms that foster artistic dialogue, strengthen cultural understanding, and celebrate creativity as a bridge between people and nations.

The Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year has witnessed several major events this year. From July 31 to Oct 30, the National Museum of China and Saudi Arabia's Museums Commission jointly hosted the Art of the Kingdom — Saudi Arabian Contemporary Art Exhibition in Beijing, presenting nearly 50 works of contemporary Saudi art including painting, sculpture and others.