Visitors will experience a variety of programs across the plaza, museum, theater, lush gardens, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit, and the iconic Ithra Tower, offering an all-encompassing view of Spanish cultural heritage and lifestyle.

Under the banner “Live Spain,” Ithra will transform its spaces to create interactive experiences highlighting Spanish photography, design, and sports, alongside live performances including a production of the famous opera Carmen, engaging audiences with music, drama, and traditional dance.

Attendees can also enjoy workshops on Spanish crafts, culinary arts, visual arts, and design, allowing hands-on participation that bridges historical Spanish techniques with contemporary creative expression, fostering both education and entertainment.

Ithra’s cinema will feature screenings of Spanish short and feature films complemented by post-show discussions, providing deeper insights into the country’s artistic narratives, social commentary, and cinematic achievements, enhancing visitor understanding of Spanish cultural identity.

The idea lab and library will host sessions and talks exploring Spanish literature, architecture, and creative practices, offering intellectual engagement and opportunities for learning about Spain’s historical influences and contemporary contributions to global arts and humanities.

Spanish cuisine will be central to the celebration, with markets, tasting events, and culinary workshops reflecting Spain’s social and gastronomic traditions, emphasizing regional flavors, culinary techniques, and the cultural significance of food in everyday Spanish life.

Children and youth programs will run alongside the main events, including storytelling, creative workshops, performances, and interactive sessions designed to inspire younger audiences while encouraging curiosity and cultural appreciation through educational and entertaining activities.

Ithra Cultural Days provide a platform for global cultural exchange, emphasizing immersive, public-facing experiences that connect visitors to international traditions, arts, and heritage, fostering mutual understanding and cross-cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Spain.

This year’s Spain-focused program follows the success of the Japan edition, which attracted over 200,000 visitors in two weeks, demonstrating Ithra’s ability to host large-scale, diverse cultural initiatives that combine learning, entertainment, and community engagement.

The festival highlights the historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions, showcasing shared influences in architecture, art, and social practices while providing modern interpretations of classical Spanish culture for an international audience.

Visitors will enjoy performances on multiple stages, ranging from traditional flamenco music and dance to contemporary Spanish theatrical productions, reflecting Spain’s vibrant performing arts scene and offering a dynamic experience for all age groups.

Hands-on activities and workshops will invite participants to create their own artworks, learn Spanish cooking techniques, and engage with fashion and design elements, encouraging a participatory approach that blends creativity, culture, and education.

The public spaces at Ithra will host food markets, live demonstrations, and social events that emphasize the communal nature of Spanish culture, reinforcing the role of art, cuisine, and performance in daily social life.

Ithra Cultural Days aim to deepen cultural understanding and appreciation through large-scale exhibitions, educational sessions, and immersive experiences, providing a platform for international collaboration, artistic expression, and global cultural literacy.

The event underscores Ithra’s commitment to promoting global cultures, inspiring creative thinking, and celebrating the richness of diverse traditions while connecting local communities with international cultural narratives.

Participating for the 12th consecutive year, Ithra is offering visitors an immersive experience that highlights the Kingdom’s rich heritage and innovative contributions to literature, art, and knowledge.

The pavilion is thoughtfully divided into four sections, beginning with an introductory area showcasing Ithra’s key facilities, including its library, museum, theater, and cinema.

Visitors can explore two dedicated zones for library programs, featuring workshops, discussion panels, and interactive sessions designed to inspire curiosity and learning. In addition, a bookstore highlights Ithra’s latest titles spanning philosophy, literature, art, and heritage, giving attendees a chance to engage with unique content.

Abdullah Al-Hawas, director of Ithra, emphasized the center’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and knowledge sharing. “Every year, Ithra brings fresh ideas to the Riyadh International Book Fair.

This year, under the theme ‘Riyadh Reads,’ we are presenting 13 new publications covering philosophy, literature, and art, most of which were recently produced,” he said.

Among the most popular titles is The Mu’allaqat for the Millennial Generation, which makes classical Arabic poetry accessible to today’s readers. Another acclaimed publication, Arabic Proverbs for the New Generation, features over 150 Arabic proverbs with insightful commentary, encouraging readers to reconnect with their linguistic and cultural heritage.

Ithra also presents Hijra: In the Footsteps of the Prophet, detailing the historic eight-day journey from Makkah to Madinah, along with books on camels, crafts, and philosophy, all carefully selected for their cultural significance.

Ithra’s publications have gained international recognition through translations into Spanish, German, Korean, Chinese, French, and English, reflecting the center’s mission to share Arab culture with global audiences. The Ithra Library, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest and first fully digital libraries, spans four floors, housing over 357,000 books and thousands of digital resources.

As a cultural hub, Ithra hosts engaging programs such as the Ithra Reading Club, Majaz poetry celebrations, Ithra Library Saturdays, Your Book in a Minute, and Bridges to the World, promoting literary creativity, knowledge exchange, and cultural appreciation.

Through its dynamic participation in the Riyadh International Book Fair, Ithra continues to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a center for culture, learning, and innovation, inspiring readers of all ages to explore and celebrate the richness of Arab heritage.

With the strong support of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), four Saudi teams—Rimah, Yalla, Giddam, and Sadeem—secured two prestigious awards at the 20th Aramco STEM Racing World Finals, held in Singapore from September 25 to October 1, 2025.

The event, recognized as the largest global celebration of STEM education, brought together more than 90 teams representing 50 countries. Students competed in designing, building, and racing miniature Formula One vehicles, a hands-on program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical engineering skills. For the Saudi teams, the competition was an opportunity to showcase the nation’s growing talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics on an international platform.

The achievement was historic: the Saudi teams broke into the global top 10, marking the first time the Kingdom had multiple teams ranked so highly in the competition’s history. This milestone not only highlights the quality of STEM education in Saudi Arabia but also positions the Kingdom as a rising hub for young engineering talent.

Maha Abdulhadi, head of the STEM Racing KSA Program at Ithra, praised the students’ efforts: “Winning two international awards is a proud moment for Saudi Arabia and a testament to the ambition and resilience of our youth.

Earning a place among the global top 10 proves the Kingdom’s capacity to lead in applied education and innovation. This achievement is not an endpoint but the beginning of a greater journey toward even more international success.”

The journey to this global recognition began months earlier. The four teams earned their spots in Singapore after winning the Saudi National STEM Racing Finals, hosted at Ithra in Dhahran. Since December 2024, the fourth edition of STEM Racing KSA engaged more than 280 students aged 14 to 16 from six cities across Saudi Arabia.

The program is designed to combine classroom learning with real-world engineering experience, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and technical skills in young learners.

STEM Racing KSA, originally launched in 2022 as F1 in Schools before evolving under Ithra’s guidance, enables students to design and manufacture miniature race cars powered by compressed gas cylinders that race on actual tracks. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes project management, design thinking, and entrepreneurship, preparing students for careers in science and innovation.

Aramco’s continued support of the initiative has been instrumental in expanding the program’s reach and enhancing its quality. By providing mentorship, access to cutting-edge resources, and guidance from industry experts, the program ensures students gain hands-on experience that aligns with global standards in STEM education.

Saudi teams have steadily built a strong record of success in recent years. Previous accolades include the FIA Women in Motorsport Award (2022), the Innovation Thinking Award (2023), and multiple honors in 2024, such as the Best Engineered Car Award, Best Enterprise Portfolio Award, and Best Application of Management Award. This year’s achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s reputation as a nation nurturing world-class young talent in science, technology, and innovation.

The Aramco STEM Racing World Finals serve not only as a competition but also as a platform for international collaboration. Students gain exposure to diverse cultures, exchange innovative ideas, and experience first-hand the global impact of STEM disciplines. For Saudi Arabia, such achievements underscore the effectiveness of programs like STEM Racing KSA in cultivating a generation capable of contributing to the nation’s Vision 2030 goals, particularly in building a knowledge-based economy and advancing technological leadership.

As Saudi youth continue to excel on global platforms, the Kingdom’s commitment to education, creativity, and innovation is increasingly evident. Programs like STEM Racing KSA demonstrate that with vision, mentorship, and determination, Saudi students can not only compete but lead on the world stage.

For the students of Rimah, Yalla, Giddam, and Sadeem, the experience is just the beginning. With global recognition secured and international awards in hand, they return home inspired to push boundaries, innovate further, and continue raising Saudi Arabia’s profile as a hub of talent and creativity in STEM.