Saudi Arabia & France Launch Cultural Hegra Villa Project in AlUla

During French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to AlUla, Saudi Arabia and France launched the Hegra Villa project, a cultural initiative aimed at strengthening the Saudi-French partnership. This marks the latest collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French Agency for AlUla Development, focusing on enhancing cultural diplomacy and creativity.

Hegra Villa will serve as the first Saudi-French cultural institution in Saudi Arabia, designed to promote joint cultural initiatives and foster global creativity. The project is part of a broader effort to empower communities, support cultural dialogue, and introduce sustainable development practices.

During the visit, President Macron toured the Saudi-French Partnership Exhibition, held at Maraya Hall in AlUla, which showcased models of several projects, including the preservation of AlUla’s heritage. The exhibition highlighted the strategic areas of partnership between the two nations, focusing on cultural heritage, sustainable agriculture, filmmaking, tourism, and more.

The exhibition also focused on ongoing developments in AlUla, including the Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre, which are being designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel. These projects aim to blend innovation with environmental and cultural considerations, incorporating cutting-edge design and technology.

Furthermore, the academic collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University was showcased, offering new opportunities for young people in AlUla in fields like tourism management, archaeology, and cultural heritage.