The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have jointly declared 2029 as the official Saudi-UK Year of Culture following His Royal Highness Prince William's official visit to Saudi Arabia.
The announcement emphasises that, over the last 100 years, formal relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK have developed into a complex international partnership.
This includes collaboration in culture, education, and innovation, highlighting shared values and a mutual dedication to long-term cooperation.
Cultural cooperation has become a vital part of Saudi-British relations in recent years, through joint projects in heritage preservation, visual and culinary arts, architecture, and higher education.
Promoting creative dialogue
This continuous growth in cultural exchange serves as the foundation for the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029, a year-long initiative that aims to promote creative dialogue, celebrate the shared heritage of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and strengthen cultural connections for future generations.
Both parties also say it will offer young people from both nations an opportunity to engage with one another in innovative ways.
Backed by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UK's ongoing efforts to promote cultural innovation and creativity, the Saudi-UK Year of Culture 2029 will serve as a significant milestone for both nations.
In 2024, the UK government announced new cultural partnerships with Saudi Arabia to preserve heritage sites and work with the AlUla project. One of the new agreements is between Historic England and the Saudi Heritage Commission to protect heritage sites and cultural landmarks in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has also established cultural partnerships with other European countries. For example, it is contributing €50 million towards the renovation of Paris’ Centre Pompidou.
France will also develop museum and heritage projects in the kingdom, including a new photography museum in Riyadh supported by the National School of Photography in Arles.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
Saudi Arabia's AlUla 
Copyright Six Flags Qiddiya City
Copyright Six Flags Qiddiya City
Copyright Six Flags Qiddiya City
