Saudi Gazette report

ALULA — The Board of Trustees of Villa Hegra held its first meeting in AlUla on Thursday, chaired by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, to discuss ways to achieve the foundation’s mission as a global hub for cultural exchange.

Prince Badr, alongside French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, inaugurated the new Villa Hegra building, an innovative cultural space dedicated to celebrating heritage and fostering creativity and knowledge exchange worldwide.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials and cultural leaders from both countries.

Prince Badr said in a post on X that the inauguration was made possible with the support of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

He described Villa Hegra as one of the most significant outcomes of the Saudi-French cultural partnership.

facilities, which specialize in visual arts, design, film, and performing arts, and was briefed on its role as a global hub for education, training, and cultural creativity in the heart of AlUla.

He praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron for strengthening cultural ties, describing Villa Hegra as a milestone in the strategic cooperation between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the French Agency for AlUla Development.

Prince Badr stressed that “AlUla Vision” reflects international cultural cooperation, expanding creative spaces and positioning culture as a driver of sustainable development.

He commended the project team for building a platform that strengthens AlUla’s global standing and opens its doors to creators from both countries and beyond.

Villa Hegra stands out as the first joint Saudi-French cultural institution, extending the historic relationship between the two nations. Its opening forms part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at harmonizing people and place, while preserving AlUla’s cultural legacy and natural environment.

The institution offers a unique cultural experience with facilities dedicated to visual arts, design, the first indoor cinema in AlUla, and a performing arts studio. As a center for education, training, and cultural creativity, it aims to empower local and international talent while enriching the cultural life of AlUla residents.

Villa Hegra is also positioned as a strategic platform for investing in culture as a driver of sustainable development. It will host artist residencies, workshops, theater and film screenings, music performances, and cross-cultural programs linking AlUla’s heritage with global artistic movements.

The institution will officially join the French “Viva Villa” network of cultural houses, alongside historic institutions such as Villa Medici in Rome and Villa Albertina in New York, reinforcing AlUla’s place on the global cultural stage.