Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Revolution: Winter at Tantora Festival
Just two years ago, it was impossible to attend a public concert in Saudi Arabia. However, with the country undergoing a significant cultural transformation and opening its doors to tourists for the first time, the demand for entertainment has surged dramatically. As part of the second annual Winter at Tantora festival, running from January 31 to March 7, 2020, California-based Desert X is bringing contemporary art exhibitions from the deserts of Coachella Valley to the sands of Saudi Arabia.
Desert X is expanding beyond the borders of the California desert and going international, as shared on their Instagram feed. The installations will be set in Al Ula, a historically rich town in northwestern Saudi Arabia, close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. Hegra, which is significant for its archaeological relevance and shares history with Petra in Jordan, will be closed to the public until October 2020. Thus, festival attendees will have an exclusive early-access opportunity to this ancient site.
One of the primary objectives of Desert X is to connect desert communities and cultures through contemporary art. This exhibition will highlight the creative works of local Saudi artists alongside creators from the broader Middle East and around the globe. With site-specific large-scale installations influenced by Saudi Arabia’s stunning desert landscapes, the area will transform into an expansive outdoor art gallery. Nonetheless, Desert X’s expansion into Saudi Arabia has stirred some controversy, resulting in the resignation of three out of fourteen board members due to concerns about the country’s human rights record, as reported by the LA Times.
The complete lineup for the 2020 Winter at Tantora festival has yet to be revealed. However, the inaugural edition featured impressive performances by renowned artists such as Italian singer Andrea Bocelli, Greek composer Yanni, and French violinist Renaud Capuçon.
What was once considered one of the most challenging countries for tourism, Saudi Arabia has now introduced e-visas for passport holders from 49 countries, including the US, UK, European Union, China, Japan, and Australia. Previously, visitor visas were granted solely to Muslim pilgrims, workers with sponsored business visas, and family members of Saudi nationals. The new e-visas can be effortlessly applied for online at a cost of SR440 (about $120), with a processing time of just 30 minutes, according to the tourism authority.
