The Islamic Arts Biennale is returning to Jeddah in 2025 to inspire art lovers with historical and contemporary masterpieces.
From January 25 to May 25, 2025, the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah will host the much-awaited event.
The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale will be held under the theme “And All That Is In-Between.” It aims to delve into how faith is experienced, expressed and celebrated through emotions, thoughts and creative works.
This edition, organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, builds on the success of the first Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023, held under the theme “Awwal Bayt” (First House). It referred to the Holy Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam.
The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will bring together more than 30 global institutions from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Indonesia, the UK and the US.
The showcase will feature more than 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks. These include pieces from Makkah and Madinah, on loan from museums including the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Moreover, the key highlights include exhibits on celestial navigation, Islamic gardens, and a competition to design a new prayer space, with the construction of the winning design on-site.
The event will also see the participation of the Vatican Library, with several works from its collections, in “The Art of Numbers” display at the Al-Madar section of the biennale.
In a statement to Arab News, the Saudi Minister of Culture and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, highlighted the transformative impact of the arts.
“Building on the remarkable success of the inaugural edition, the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale comes with greater ambition, expanded partnerships and a diverse selection of artistic and cultural institutions, patrons, as well as artists from Saudi Arabia and countries that have rich Islamic culture and traditions,” he said.
