The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Center for Arabic Calligraphy was inaugurated in Medina
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Madinah witnessed a significant cultural event with the inauguration of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy. The opening ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah and Chairman of the Board of the Madinah Development Authority, and His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to promoting cultural identity and Islamic arts.
During the opening ceremony, His Royal Highness the Prince of Madinah and his entourage toured the center, viewing its state-of-the-art facilities and impressive art exhibitions. His Highness listened to a detailed explanation of the center's strategic vision and its achievements and awards even before its official opening. He also viewed a rare collection of artifacts and artworks showcasing the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and its evolution throughout the ages.
Medina: The cradle of calligraphy and writing
The choice of Medina as the location for this global center is no coincidence; rather, it embodies the profound historical significance of this holy city as the cradle of Arabic calligraphy, the codification of the Holy Quran, and Islamic sciences. This center represents an extension and development of Dar Al-Qalam, restoring Medina's leading role as a hub for Islamic arts and solidifying its position as a global cultural destination that blends the spirituality of the place with the aesthetics of art, thus enhancing the concept of cultural tourism in the Kingdom.
A global platform with an ambitious vision
In his address at the ceremony, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, affirmed that the center represents a global platform emanating from the "land of light and knowledge," praising the unlimited support the cultural sector receives from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness noted that the center carries a noble message to the world about the grandeur of Arab heritage and aims to transform Arabic calligraphy from a mere traditional art form into a global means of cultural communication and a symbol of national identity deeply rooted in architecture, design, and contemporary arts.
A comprehensive strategy for talent empowerment
The ceremony featured a visual presentation showcasing the center's strategy, which is based on five main pillars: knowledge and development, skills development, community engagement, business and opportunities, and innovation. Through these pillars, the center aims to be an incubator for creative individuals and calligraphers from around the world, providing a fertile environment for research and development in the field of Islamic arts.
The center’s action plan includes launching unprecedented quality programs, including the “Research and Archiving Unit” to preserve the history of Arabic calligraphy, and the “Permanent Arabic Calligraphy Museum,” in addition to a specialized business incubator that supports entrepreneurs in the artistic fields, which contributes to creating promising economic opportunities related to this ancient art.
Enhancing the Kingdom's international presence
The inauguration of this center is the culmination of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's successful efforts in leading the international campaign to register Arabic calligraphy on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The center works to translate this cultural diplomatic achievement into tangible reality through artist residency programs, traveling exhibitions, and international partnerships aimed at building bridges of communication with other cultures, thus underscoring the Kingdom's pivotal role in preserving global human heritage and achieving the goals of Vision 2030 in building a vibrant society and a thriving, innovation-driven economy.
