Culture and Art
Minister of Culture: Offices to market Saudi films globally
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Farhan announced that the Saudi film industry, represented by the Ministry of Culture, intends to..
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Farhan announced that the Saudi film industry, represented by the Ministry of Culture, intends to establish offices to market Saudi films abroad in the coming period. The first phase targets countries such as China, India, and South Korea, according to what the Minister of Culture stated via his account on the X platform.
Observers believe that the announcement of the launch of the offices will contribute to achieving remarkable growth and prosperity in promoting Saudi soft power, similar to cinematic films, which will double the growth of box office revenues for Saudi films.
Prince Badr bin Farhan revealed earlier that two Saudi films topped the list of the 3 best-selling films during the first half of this year.
The Saudi film industry market has achieved significant growth, with box office sales reaching approximately 8.5 million tickets, generating revenues exceeding 421.8 million riyals in the first half of this year.
Culture and Art
Sameh El-Sereity is in intensive care after suffering a stroke... All the details
The renowned Egyptian actor Sameh El-Sereity was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Learn about the latest developments in his health and his distinguished career.
A sudden health crisis for the veteran artist Sameh El-Sereity
The Egyptian and Arab artistic community was shocked and deeply concerned by the announcement that veteran actor Sameh El-Sereity had been rushed to a hospital in Greater Cairo on Tuesday morning. This followed a sudden health crisis, diagnosed by doctors as a stroke, which necessitated his immediate admission to the intensive care unit for close monitoring and treatment.
Urgent medical intervention and stable developments
In an exclusive statement to Okaz newspaper, actress Nihal Anbar, a member of the Actors' Syndicate board and the official responsible for the syndicate's health file, revealed details of the situation. She emphasized that the swift response and immediate medical intervention played a crucial role in controlling the situation and stabilizing the health of actor Al-Seraity. Anbar added that the medical team treating him observed a significant improvement in the first few hours, which reassured his family and fans. She explained that he is expected to be transferred from intensive care to a regular room within the next few hours, noting that no worrying side effects have appeared so far. Close monitoring continues, and all necessary tests are being conducted to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for the next stage.
Who is Sameh El-Sereity? A prolific artistic career
Sameh El-Sereity, born in 1951, is one of the most prominent figures in Egyptian art, with a career spanning more than four decades. During this time, he has delivered diverse and impactful performances in film, television, and theater. He is renowned for his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from historical and tragic roles to comedic ones. Among his most memorable television works are the series "Layali El-Helmiya," "Bawabet El-Halawany," and "Umm Kulthum." He also made a significant mark in cinema with important films such as "El-Irhabi" (The Terrorist) alongside Adel Imam. In addition to his acting career, El-Sereity served as the deputy head of the Actors' Syndicate for many years, playing a prominent role in supporting his colleagues and defending their rights.
Ongoing artistic activity and wide influence
The artist Sameh El-Sereity has not been absent from the artistic scene recently, but rather has maintained a strong presence. His last prominent dramatic role was in the 2024 Ramadan season in the series "Al-Maddah - The Legend of the Return," where he delivered a pivotal performance that garnered praise from both audiences and critics. The health crisis affecting an artist of El-Sereity's stature and caliber is a significant event in artistic circles, as he is considered a pillar of Egyptian drama and one of the artists most committed to the issues of his profession. Many artists and celebrities quickly took to social media to express their support and wishes for his speedy recovery, reflecting his high standing in the hearts of his colleagues and the public alike.
Culture and Art
Taysir Fahmy: Conditions for returning to art after a 13-year absence
Artist Taysir Fahmy settles the controversy surrounding her absence from the art scene, revealing the reasons for her long absence and its connection to community work, as well as her conditions for returning to acting.
The esteemed Egyptian artist, Taysir Fahmy, has put an end to the controversy surrounding the possibility of her return to the art scene after an absence of nearly 13 years, confirming that the decision to step away was personal and stemmed from her convictions, and that her return is contingent upon the availability of an artistic work that carries real value and respects the viewer's intellect.
A prolific artistic career and the context of distancing
Taysir Fahmy is considered one of the most prominent stars of her generation. Throughout her artistic career, which began in the 1970s, she presented diverse roles that left a clear mark on the history of Egyptian drama and cinema. She became famous for her roles in important works such as the series "Sons, But..." and "Layali El Helmeya," and the film "Ascent to the Abyss." Her withdrawal in 2012 was not merely an artistic decision, but coincided with a period of major political and social transformations in Egypt. The actress was known for her political stances and her active participation in the January 25 Revolution, which added another dimension to her decision to step away from the limelight and focus on other aspects of her life.
Transitioning to community work
In recent television interviews, Taysir Fahmy clarified that she did not isolate herself during her absence, but rather dedicated her time and effort to community work and charitable activities. She considered this period a significant turning point that profoundly impacted her personal experience and gave her the opportunity to connect with society from a different perspective, away from the cameras. She emphasized that this transition was not a break from life, but rather a move into a different realm of giving back and serving the community, reflecting her personal convictions that have always been evident in her artistic choices.
Return with conditions: Searching for content
Fahmy confirmed that she doesn't categorically reject the idea of returning to acting, but she has set clear conditions for doing so. She is waiting for the right role and an artistic work that has genuine substance and aligns with her principles and convictions. She pointed out that the artistic landscape has changed significantly, and that she is looking for a good script and a meaningful screenplay that will enhance her career rather than detract from it. This stance raises questions about the nature of the works currently being offered and reflects the desire of a generation of veteran artists to maintain a certain level of artistic quality in the content presented to the public.
Latest works and potential impact of a return
It's worth noting that Taysir Fahmy's last dramatic role was in the series "Befel Fa'el" (By an Unknown Perpetrator), which aired in 2012. She co-starred with a number of prominent actors, including Tamer Hagras, Tarek Lotfy, Mirna Walid, and Raja El Gedawy. Should she return, it is expected to generate significant interest among both the artistic community and the public, as her fans eagerly anticipate seeing her back on screen in a project worthy of her illustrious career.
Culture and Art
Cedar Night: Lebanese stars gather for Riyadh Season 2026
Get ready for an exceptional Lebanese night at Riyadh Season 2026! Carole Samaha, Assi El Hallani, and Ragheb Alama will come together for the "Night of the Cedars" concert. Find out the date and location.
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to host a truly Lebanese artistic evening, as the General Entertainment Authority announced the organization of a huge concert called "Laylat Al-Arz" (Night of the Cedars) as part of the Riyadh Season 2026 events. This highly anticipated event brings together three of the most prominent stars of Lebanese and Arab music: the renowned singer Assi El Hallani, the superstar Ragheb Alama, and the star Carole Samaha, in an evening that promises to be one of the highlights of the season.
Background of the event and its cultural context
The organization of "Night of the Cedars" is part of the Riyadh Season strategy, which has become one of the world's leading entertainment festivals, to present diverse cultural experiences from around the globe. The season, which falls under Saudi Vision 2030, aims to enhance Riyadh's position as a global tourist and entertainment destination. Arab artistic evenings like "Night of the Cedars" serve as a bridge for cultural exchange, celebrating authentic Arab art and presenting it to a wide audience of citizens, residents, and tourists. The name of the event carries profound symbolic meaning, as the cedar tree is the national emblem of Lebanon, symbolizing resilience, pride, and heritage, thus lending the evening a special national and cultural dimension.
The importance of the ceremony and its expected impact
The concert is expected to be a resounding success, given the widespread popularity of the three stars in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. This event presents a unique opportunity for the Saudi public and the large Lebanese community residing in Riyadh to enjoy the masterpieces of authentic Lebanese music. Regionally, the concert reinforces Riyadh's position as a capital of Arab art and a premier platform for leading artists to showcase their talents. It also contributes to boosting tourism and the economy, underscoring the vital role of entertainment as a key sector in the national economy.
Event details and ticket release date
According to the organizing company, the "Night of the Rice" concert will take place on Thursday, February 5th, at the Abu Bakr Salem Theater in the Boulevard Riyadh City area, one of the largest and most luxurious theaters in the capital. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, January 28th, through authorized platforms, with high demand expected from fans of the three stars eager to secure their seats for this exceptional evening.
Latest works of the participating stars
This concert comes at a time when the stars are continuing their artistic activities; recently, Carole Samaha released her new song "Ma Betenterak Wahdak" (You Won't Be Left Alone), with lyrics, music, and arrangement by the late artist Ziad Rahbani. The song has received widespread positive feedback on social media platforms. Assi El Hallani and Ragheb Alama also continue to release successful artistic works and perform concerts for large audiences throughout the Arab world.
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