Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future. (Courtesy/Roberto Conte)
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Updated 17 March 2025
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Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal: A celebration of heritage, innovation, and art

RIYADH: Layali Diriyah returns for a third year — set against a historic landscape — as the open-air event celebrates Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future.

The event, from February to April, focuses on three themes: heritage and craftsmanship; education and knowledge; and nature.

More than just a cultural event, Layali Diriyah is an immersive journey that blends heritage with artistic legacy. Since its debut in January 2023, it has attracted more than 110,000 visitors. 

Led by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, this initiative highlights the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s founding place. 

The retreat combines gastronomy, retail, art and entertainment on a picturesque palm tree farm near At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Visitors can take a culinary journey featuring eight restaurants, a retail village, and five stages presenting predominantly local talent.

A standout feature this year is the Chef’s Table, where high-profile chefs present live cooking demonstrations for groups of up to 23 guests. Each restaurant offers distinct themes, ranging from circular pods nestled among trees for privacy to mudbrick-inspired grilling stations, enhancing the dining experience with cultural resonance.

Installations by local and international artists play a central role in Layali Diriyah. Khulod Albugami’s “Lahauj,” inspired by Najdi architectural windows, symbolizes a bridge between past and present. Dr. Saad Al-Huwaidi’s “Three Golden Stages” narrates the evolution of Saudi identity through the use of “Qitan,” a material from traditional garments representing pivotal moments in the country’s history. 

Hibah Albakree, managing partner and co-founder of Designlab Experience, expressed her excitement about the event. “One of the things that is really nice about Layali Diriyah is the familiarity of the guest journey. Each year, it repeats, giving guests a sense of comfort. If you have to turn left instead of right, people might wonder why it’s different. This familiarity is the anchor of the project.”

As guests navigate the event, they encounter an enchanting display of lights. “Layali is always about lights,” Albakree said.

This year, the lighting has evolved significantly. “In the first year, we used vibrant flowers to create a blooming effect. The second year (we) elevated the lights to highlight the palm trees. This year, we are using oversized lighting elements inspired by local flora, such as palm trees,” she said.

The art installations are not merely decorative, they tell stories deeply woven into Saudi culture. For instance, Zahara Alghamdi’s “Birth of a Place” is an elegy to Diriyah’s ancestral foundations through sculptural clay forms that symbolize cycles of destruction and rebirth.

Minzal, another project developed by Designlab Experience in Diriyah, complements Layali Diriyah. Set in the historic birthplace of Saudi Arabia, Minzal offers an innovative cultural retreat that harmonizes with the rugged landscape. It features diverse experiences such as stargazing, horseriding, live performances, and luxury glamping, all while integrating Saudi heritage.

Yvonne Hoffzimmer, chief operating officer of Designlab Experience, said: “We have three distinct areas: glamping, interactive workshops, and hospitality. It’s a casual, relaxed outdoor experience, allowing guests to spend several hours enjoying the atmosphere. While Layali is typically a shorter experience, Minzal invites guests to immerse themselves fully.”

Minzal has areas for glamping and stargazing, while Birwaz is a vibrant community space for cultural and commercial activities, featuring workshops, food kiosks, and performance zones. 

“The architectural language employs mud-textured finishes and colorful geometries, creating a tactile narrative of the region's legacy,” Hoffzimmer said.

Almashab invites social interaction around a central bonfire, with shisha lounges and tensile structures, providing a space for guests to gather and unwind. The stargazing station features intimate pods designed for celestial exploration, allowing visitors to enjoy astronomy sessions while savoring Saudi coffee.

Layali Diriyah 2025 and Minzal are more than mere festivals, they are celebrations of Saudi identity, innovation and art, presenting the Kingdom’s rich cultural tapestry while paving the way for future artistic endeavors.

Decoder

What is Minzal?

Minzal is an event set in Diriyah, the historic birthplace of Saudi Arabia. Minzal features diverse experiences such as stargazing, horseriding, live performances, and luxury glamping, all while integrating Saudi heritage. It was designed to complement Layali Diriyah, an immersive journey that blends heritage with artistic legacy.


Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement
Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement
  • Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living

RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.

The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.


Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
Updated 18 min 40 sec ago
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Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 17 March 2025
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Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation
Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation
  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations
Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations
  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.