Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh launched Riyadh Season 2022 with a spectacular display of drones, which set a new Guinness World Record for the most remote operated multirotor/drones launching fireworks simultaneously.
It was followed by a Cirque du Soleil show, and an international concert by the British singer Anne-Marie, who performed in front of hundreds of thousands of fans. There was also an artistic presentation of the 15 entertainment zones of the season, as well as performances paving the way for their launch.
“I extend my sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to His Highness, the Crown Prince, the godfather of the Vision and our inspiring leader, for the attention, planning and support given to the entertainment sector in general and Riyadh Season, in particular. Finally, I announce the opening of Riyadh Season in its third edition “Beyond Imagination”. “Welcome to Riyadh Season”.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large audience who arrived early, included an artistic presentation about the 15 zones of the season, as well as performances paving the way for the opening of the entertainment zones for this year’s season.
New zones include Boulevard World zone, Boulevard Riyadh City, Winter Wonderland, Square 8 and Riyadh Sky.
Visitors can also enjoy many special events, such as the Combat Village, Super Hero Village, and the largest Sphere in the world.
There are also 65 days of fireworks, 17 Arabic plays, more than 150 musical events, local and international exhibitions in the fields of anime, perfumes and games, and a variety of events for families, individuals and children.
Saudi Arabia's Entertainment Blowout
Saudi Arabia declared intention to invest $64bn (£46bn) in developing its entertainment industry over the next decade at home and abroad.
The head of the General Entertainment Authority said 5,000 events were planned this year alone, including those by Maroon 5 and Cirque du Soleil.
Construction of the country's first opera house has also begun in Riyadh.
The investment is part of a social and economic reform programme, known as Vision 2030, unveiled two years ago by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
MBS earlier declared the Red Sea Global with an archipelago of more than 50 untouched islands and the $8 billion Qiddiya entertainment megaproject.
He also bought shares valued at about half a billion dollars each in Facebook Inc. US:FB, Walt Disney Co.
He has also bought 8% stake in world's biggest cruise operator Carnival for $370 million, while he is looking to expand its investments in Hollywood, with a reported bid to buy $12.5 billion Warner Music.
