Shanghai is the site for the launch of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025, announced by the Ministry of Culture to highlight the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
According to SPA, the initiative features a series of events intended to enhance bilateral cultural exchange and deepen historical ties between the peoples of Saudi Arabia and China.
As part of the celebrations, the Visual Arts Commission and UCCA are hosting an exhibition by Saudi contemporary artist Ahmed Mater. Titled Antenna, the show runs from March 8 to July 8, 2025, at UCCA Edge in Shanghai, marking the artist’s first major solo exhibition in China with over a hundred artworks.
Ahmed Mater’s work has previously been presented in institutions such as Christie’s in London in July 2024. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Embassy organized a Founding Day celebration in Beijing last month, which included Arabic calligraphy displays and artisan demonstrations of traditional handicrafts.
What is the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025? The Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025 is an initiative announced by the Ministry of Culture in the People’s Republic of China. It is designed to highlight the decades-long friendship and cooperation between the two nations through a series of events that aim to enrich their cultural landscapes and deepen historical ties between their peoples.
What details are provided regarding Ahmed Mater’s exhibition in Shanghai? The exhibition, titled Antenna, is hosted by the Visual Arts Commission in partnership with UCCA at UCCA Edge in Shanghai. It runs from March 8 to July 8, 2025, and features over a hundred artworks. This event marks the first major solo show in China for the Saudi contemporary artist, whose work was also shown at Christie’s in London in July 2024.
How was Saudi Founding Day celebrated in Beijing? The Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Embassy organized a Founding Day celebration in Beijing last month. The event focused on showcasing Saudi heritage through specific activities, including displays of Arabic calligraphy and artisan demonstrations of traditional handicrafts.