Everything You Need To Know About The AlUla Arts Festival
The AlUla Arts Festival has brought the ancient city’s rich past, present and future to life through dance, art and culture
Since its grand return on 16th January 2025, the annual AlUla Arts Festival has unveiled an inspiring new programme of performances and exhibitions that shed light on the best of local and global art. The festival offers an immersive platform to connect with AlUla’s storied past and future vision, and this year’s edition might just be the most exciting one yet.
“Here in AlUla, amidst the whispers of ancient civilisations, we are witnessing a unique gathering of ancient stories and conceptual artistry, marking this year’s arts festival as a true testament to the power of partnerships and shared stories,” enthuses Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla. “It’s about the synergy we have created by bringing together local and international talents – from the luminous installations of James Turrell to the evocative combined artistry of Akram Khan and Manal AlDowayan, and the resonant soundscapes of Tarek Atoui.”
On view until 19th April is James Turrell’s exhibition, an explorative journey into the life of the pioneering light and space artist. Featuring renders, plans and a constellation map of James’ site-specific commission in Wadi AlFann – a stunning valley spanning about 65 square kilometres – the showcase is not one to be missed.
Commissioned by Wadi AlFann, the global premiere of Thikra: Night of Remembering, an evocative, site-specific performance by choreographer Akram Khan and Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan, is also a key focus of the festival. The dancers – in beautiful costumes designed by Manal – represent themes of forgetting, collective healing and learning, and the concept that the future doesn’t exist without a past. The performance is fittingly taking place against the spectacular backdrop of Wadi AlFann (‘valley of the arts’), creating a unique experience of art in conversation with nature. “Thikra weaves together Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance to create a meeting point of traditions, cultures and lived experiences,” explains Akram. “Rooted in the form of Bharatanatyam and reimagined through a contemporary lens, Thikra has become something timeless yet completely new. At its core, it celebrates the collective voice of an empowered female ensemble, honouring the universality of shared human experiences. It also serves as a tribute to the maternal essence of our ever-evolving civilisations – a transformative force that shapes our past, present and future.”
Also of note was the public concert performance on the opening day of the festival by Bayt Al Hams (The Whispering House), conceptualised by contemporary artist and performer Tarek Atoui who revealed his latest work. For the festival, this space has now been transformed into a platform for collaborators, and is dedicated to sound practices that highlight education, improvisation and experimentation.
The spirit of togetherness is the driving force this year, uniting all through the collective narratives of humanity and culture. As Nora says, “Through key collaborations, we are fostering a vibrant dialogue between heritage and contemporary art, inviting everyone to experience AlUla Arts Festival 2025 not just as an event, but as a transformative journey.”
On until 22 February 2025, for more information, click here
Images: courtesy of the royal commission of alula