In a country where economic hardship and poverty affect a significant portion of the population, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) continues to prioritize lavish spending on entertainment and cinematic projects. Recently, Turki Al-Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, announced a $740,000 prize fund for the Golden Pen Literary Contest, which focuses on literary works that can be adapted into films. While these initiatives are framed as efforts to enhance Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, critics argue that such spending comes at a time when many Saudi citizens face dire economic conditions, including food insecurity.
Golden Pen Contest: A Glitzy Distraction?
The Golden Pen Contest, organized by Al-Sheikh, aims to celebrate literary and poetic works, particularly those that can be adapted into films. The contest promises substantial rewards for the winners, including the possibility of having their work turned into cinematic productions. The project is part of a broader strategy to boost Saudi Arabia’s influence in global arts and entertainment, but its timing has raised concerns. With $740,000 being spent on this contest, many citizens are questioning whether the government’s priorities are aligned with the needs of the population.
Despite the grandeur of these projects, Saudi Arabia is facing serious economic challenges. Reports indicate that over 13,000 families in Riyadh alone are struggling to afford basic food supplies and are relying on charity organizations for survival. These numbers, disclosed by just one charity, hint at the broader problem of food insecurity and poverty across the country, exacerbated by the government’s focus on non-essential sectors like entertainment.
A Broader Culture of Excessive Spending
The Golden Pen Contest is only the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s extravagant spending on entertainment under MBS. Earlier, Turki Al-Sheikh announced the Kingdom Tour 2024, a large-scale entertainment festival expected to cost $4 billion. This event will feature performances by Saudi, Arab, and international artists, alongside film screenings and theatrical productions.
Moreover, Al-Sheikh recently revealed plans to support a range of film projects, both in Saudi Arabia and abroad, through the Big Time Investment Fund. This fund is intended to elevate the quality of cinematic productions in the Middle East, with the goal of pushing Saudi Arabia to the forefront of the global film industry. As part of this vision, the government has reportedly allocated 879 million riyals to finance films produced in the kingdom.
The Reality for Ordinary Citizens
While MBS and his administration continue to pour money into entertainment ventures, many Saudi citizens are facing a harsh economic reality. Unemployment remains high, and increasing numbers of people are turning to charity organizations to meet their basic needs. Women, in particular, have been disproportionately affected, with many resorting to low-paying jobs or selling goods on the streets just to survive.
Charity organizations have stepped in to provide aid, such as the Ramadan food baskets distributed by the Insan Charity Organization, but these efforts are far from enough to resolve the crisis. The growing divide between the government’s extravagant spending on sports, entertainment, and film, and the struggles of ordinary Saudis has sparked widespread criticism.
Is Reputation More Important Than the People?
Critics argue that MBS’s spending is part of a broader attempt to “reputation launder”—to improve his international standing through high-profile entertainment projects, rather than addressing the domestic issues that are increasingly impossible to ignore. From Hollywood investments to hosting 200 performers in Riyadh for a three-day event costing $10 million, the kingdom seems more focused on enhancing its global image than on solving the economic challenges facing its people.
MBS’s government has also shifted its focus towards Hollywood, offering generous incentives for film producers to shoot in Saudi Arabia. However, while these projects may boost the kingdom’s international profile, they do little to address the growing concerns of food insecurity and unemployment within its borders.
A Call for Real Solutions
Saudi Arabia’s lavish spending on entertainment and cinematic projects, including the $740,000 Golden Pen Contest, may help build cultural prestige, but it risks alienating the population, many of whom are struggling to feed their families. While the government’s entertainment initiatives attract global attention, they also expose the growing disparity between the country’s elite and the citizens who are left behind.
For Saudi Arabia to truly progress, MBS must address the immediate needs of the population, focusing on economic reform, job creation, and social welfare. Without real solutions to these problems, the glitter of film festivals and entertainment events will only serve to deepen the divide between the government’s priorities and the people’s reality.
