Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and the United Kingdom’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport have jointly announced that 2029 will be celebrated as the UK–Saudi Year of Culture, with the British Council leading on the programme.
The announcement was made during the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in UK–Saudi cultural relations.
The UK–Saudi Year of Culture 2029 will be delivered in partnership with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with the British Council leading the programme across both countries. This landmark initiative reflects the strength of the longstanding relationship between the two nations, built on more than a century of diplomatic and cultural ties.
Over time, these ties have evolved into a broad and dynamic partnership spanning culture, education and innovation. The Year of Culture will spotlight shared priorities across these sectors, creating new opportunities for creative dialogue, exchange and collaboration.
In recent years, Saudi–British cultural engagement has gained remarkable momentum, becoming an important pillar of the wider bilateral relationship. Joint initiatives have expanded across heritage preservation, visual arts, culinary arts, architecture and higher education, laying strong foundations for the Year of Culture.
Running across a full calendar year, the UK–Saudi Year of Culture 2029 will celebrate artistic collaboration, shared heritage and cultural discovery. The initiative will strengthen connections between institutions, artists and communities in both countries, while encouraging new and lasting creative partnerships.
The Cultural Year aligns closely with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and reflects a shared commitment to positioning culture as a catalyst for sustainable development and international collaboration. As both countries look ahead, the Year of Culture offers a meaningful opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and create lasting impact for future generations in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
