Villa Hegra, the first joint Saudi-French cultural foundation, has officially opened in AlUla, marking a new milestone in international cultural collaboration. The launch event featured an evening of presentations and showcases attended by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, French Agency for AlUla Development Chairman Jean-Yves Le Drian, Royal Commission for AlUla CEO Abeer AlAkel, and Villa Hegra CEO Fériel Fodil.
Villa Hegra is designed as an international platform for dialogue and creativity, bringing together artists from multiple disciplines to collaborate, exchange ideas, and present new works. The hub offers facilities including artist studios, exhibition halls, and an indoor cinema, supporting a variety of creative activities such as workshops, residencies, and exhibitions.
The establishment of Villa Hegra reflects the Saudi-French partnership under the Royal Commission for AlUla and the French Agency for AlUla Development. It is part of the ¡Viva Villa! network, reinforcing the hub’s connection to the global arts community and promoting cultural cooperation.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Villa Hegra contributes to the growth of the arts and culture sector and supports AlUla’s development as an international cultural destination. The initiative combines heritage and contemporary creative expression to establish a long-term creative ecosystem in the region.
