PR94241

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Cirque du Soleil set to bring some of its top shows and award-winning

performances to Saudi Arabia.

- The agreement with Cirque du Soleil will further the cultural ecosystem as

Saudi Arabia’s performing arts sector expands.

- Agreement will see the two parties develop a plan to establish a regional

Cirque du Soleil training academy and office.

A new agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Cirque du Soleil

Entertainment Group paves the way for the renowned organization to bring some

of its top shows and award-winning performances to Saudi Arabia.

Under the agreement, a number of shows by the renowned entertainment group have

the potential to make a debut in the Kingdom, including new Cirque du Soleil

touring shows, The Illusionist, Now You See Me, Paw Patrol Live – Race to

Rescue, Trolls Live!, and Blue Man Group World Tour. In addition to this, Saudi

Arabia may soon play host to a brand new Cirque du Soleil resident show unique

to the Kingdom.  

The agreement will also see the two parties develop a plan to  establish a

regional Cirque du Soleil training academy and office. With an educational

curriculum led by best-in-class experts, students and young people from across

the Kingdom and beyond would have the opportunity to hone their skills through

international circus school exchanges and artist-in-residence programs, in

addition to working towards internationally recognized certifications.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainement Group has performed six shows in Saudi since

2018, the latest of which was "Messi10" – a performance honoring the famous

Argentinian football player Lionel Messi – which was held in November during

Riyadh Season 2021.  

The agreement was signed by HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud,

Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission,

and Mr. Gabriel de Alba, Co-Chairman of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

Board of Directors, during a meeting in New York.

Performing arts in the Kingdom have expanded rapidly since the establishment of

the Ministry of Culture in 2018. Last year, the Theater and Performing Arts

Commission, one of 11 sector commissions overseen by the Ministry of Culture,

launched its strategy to advance the sector, with plans to enhance its

infrastructure, offer educational opportunities, create jobs, and build

partnerships. The Commission aims to have 4,500 graduate performers and more

than 4000 qualified trainees by 2030.

Notes to Editors:

About the Ministry of Culture:

The Ministry of Culture is leading a cultural transformation to develop a rich

ecosystem that nurtures creativity, unlocks the economic potential of the

sector and unleashes new and inspiring forms of expression.

As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Culture is seeking to bolster the

presence of Saudi heritage and culture at events across the Kingdom and abroad,

enabling participants to engage with the Kingdom's rich and diverse history and

preserve Saudi heritage for generations to come.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733843/Messi_10_Cirque_du_Soleil_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1733844/Messi_10_Cirque_du_Soleil_2.jpg

Source: Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia