Performing Arts and the Arabian Leopard Fund: An Agreement to Promote Environmental Awareness
the Theater and Performing Arts Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arabian Leopard Fund . The signing ceremony took place at the Authority's headquarters in Riyadh, in the presence of the Authority's CEO, Dr. Mohammed Hassan Alwan, and the Fund's Director General, Waleed Khalid Al-Dayel. This coincided with the celebration of World Arabian Leopard Day , an annual occasion to highlight the importance of this wildlife and its historical significance.
Using the arts to serve environmental causes
This agreement marks a new phase of collaboration between the cultural and environmental sectors. The memorandum primarily aims to leverage the tools of theater and various performing arts to support efforts to conserve the Arabian leopard. The partnership seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife and maintaining ecological balance by providing innovative artistic and cultural content that resonates with diverse segments of society, with a particular focus on younger generations.
Interactive theatrical performances for children
The memorandum of understanding stipulates joint cooperation in producing a series of theatrical performances for children, whose stories and dramatic plots revolve around the Arabian leopard . These artistic works will rely on the accurate scientific and educational content provided by the Fund to ensure the accuracy of the information presented.
This approach aims to:
- Building a deep emotional and cognitive connection in children towards the Arabian leopard.
- Instilling the values of environmental conservation through an engaging storytelling style, away from direct indoctrination.
- Transforming dry scientific information into visual artworks that will be immortalized in the child's memory.
Educational dimensions and national initiatives
The memorandum extends beyond theatrical performances to include the development of supporting educational materials and the implementation of interactive workshops and activities that utilize artistic storytelling and theatrical expression to convey impactful environmental messages. The agreement also incorporates the concept of Arabian leopard protection within relevant national cultural initiatives, reflecting the General Authority for Theatre and Performing Arts' commitment to leveraging the "soft power" of the arts to serve major national issues with environmental and cultural dimensions.
The Arabian leopard: a national symbol and cultural heritage
This collaboration is particularly important given the place the Arabian leopard holds in the collective memory of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is one of the rarest leopard subspecies in the world and is critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working diligently to protect this national symbol through breeding and reintroduction programs in nature reserves, particularly in Al-Ula Governorate and the Sarawat Mountains. This agreement complements the awareness-raising aspect of these efforts, emphasizing that environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of scientific bodies, but a societal responsibility that culture and the arts contribute to shaping and reinforcing.
