Written by: Soha Khan
Date: 3/6/2025
This year, as I wandered through the vibrant venues of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe —experiencing everything from heartfelt dramas to side-splitting comedies—I found myself imagining a similar festival in Saudi Arabia. What if our Kingdom could host an event that brings together artists, audiences, and creators in the same spirit of creativity and inclusivity? The impact could be transformative, not just for our artistic scene, but for our economy as well.
During my visit, I met with the British Council team, who were facilitating a conference for Arab festival directors. Their goal was to create collaboration between these directors and Edinburgh's venues, offering them a firsthand glimpse into what makes the Fringe so unique. This conversation sparked an idea: Could Saudi Arabia host a festival that captures the same essence, energizing our cities with fresh content and a new creative flavor?
Why a Fringe Festival in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia already hosts significant events like the Red Sea International Film Festival, MDLBEAST, and Riyadh Season. These festivals have elevated the Kingdom's cultural landscape, but a Fringe-like festival could offer something entirely different. Imagine a month-long celebration that transforms a city into a vibrant hub of creativity—this is the potential of a Saudi Fringe.
Fringe festivals are renowned for their open-access nature and diverse performances. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, has turned Edinburgh into a global cultural hub, attracting artists and audiences from all over the world. Other countries have adopted their own versions with great success, such as the Avignon festival in France and the Adelaide Fringe in Australia. Could cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam mirror this success?
Dammam: The Ideal Host City
Among these, Dammam stands out as a prime candidate. The Eastern Province, including Dammam, Al Ahsa, Dhahran, and Qatif, has a rich history of active arts and theatre communities dating back to the 1970s. Dammam has long supported local arts through community shows, actor training, grassroots initiatives, and mini-festivals. Some of these festivals have evolved into major events like the Saudi Film Festival, hosted annually at Ithra.
Ithra, part of Saudi Aramco’s public initiative, has been a leading cultural and creative destination in Dhahran since 2018, focusing on talent development and cross-cultural experiences. It also hosts a yearly short play competition to nurture local artists, encouraging them to thrive and create new work.
Dammam’s strategic location in the Eastern Province, close to Bahrain and Kuwait—Kuwait being historically the most active in theatre and film—makes it an ideal hub for attracting regional and international visitors. With its proximity to major highways, ease of transportation, and an international airport, Dammam offers easy access for performers, tourists, and participants, which could significantly enhance the festival’s reach and impact.
