RIYADH, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia has announced that it will build the kingdom's first opera house in the heart of Diriyah, northwest of the capital Riyadh.
The Royal Diriyah Opera House will be constructed by Diriyah Company and operated by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), according to a statement by RCRC.
The announcement was made Thursday during Diriyah Company's Bashayer event, which also witnessed the unveiling of the company's strategic partnership with Norwegian architectural design institution Snohetta, the design firm for the opera house.
RCRC CEO Ibrahim Al-Sultan noted that the opera house will show a unique blend of the country's rich cultural heritage with modernization and innovation.
Covering 45,000 square meters, the opera house is expected to become a beacon of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030," making Diriyah a global hub of culture and creativity, said the RCRC statement.
It will also serve as a platform for diverse cultural performances, reinforcing Diriyah's role in promoting cultural exchange and helping transform Riyadh into one of the world's best cities to live, work, and visit, the statement added. ■
