Charalampos Chaitas is the executive director for culture and arts at the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), a key component of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. His role focuses on developing cultural landmarks, world-class events, and programs that aim to enhance the region’s cultural landscape. He is involved in promoting the growth of local talent and creating exceptional cultural experiences within Qiddiya, which is being developed as a “city of play” featuring entertainment, cultural attractions, and sports facilities.
His work at Qiddiya emphasises transforming the arts and cultural scene to foster creativity and inclusivity, aiming to establish Qiddiya as a global cultural destination.
Charalampos Chaitas brings over two decades of experience in cultural management and museology. He has worked on various high-profile projects, including his previous role with the Grand Egyptian Museum’s operational management. His background includes involvement with European cultural institutions and advisory roles for international organisations like ICOM.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) founded QIC in 2018. The company’s primary goal is to develop Qiddiya, a massive entertainment, sports, and cultural destination roughly 40 km southwest of Riyadh.
As Saudi Arabia’s “capital of entertainment, sports, and the arts,” Qiddiya seeks to diversify the nation’s economy by increasing the travel and entertainment industries and lowering its dependency on oil earnings. There will be nature and adventure experiences, events, and cultural attractions. In addition, Qiddiya will boast shopping outlets, F&B strips, a performing arts theatre, a multiplex cinema, an aquatic centre, and a motorsports facility.
It will be home to Six Flags Qiddiya City, the first Six Flags theme park to be built from the ground up since 1971, or anywhere outside of North America.