Located in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia is Al Ula, a stunning location known for its golden sandstone and mesmerizing oases. This over-five-thousand-year-old region is home to centuries of rich culture and history, and is now set to become a top destination for music lovers across the region. As reported by Arab News, December 20 marks the start of “Winter at Tantora,” a series of eight consecutive weekends of musical, sporting, and agricultural events that will be take place in Al Ula.
Each event is set to be held under the blanket of Al Ula’s stunning desert sky, and each will be headlined by some of the most celebrated and accomplished musicians in the world. Given that Al Ula is home to spectacular locations such as Madain Saleh, the first site in the Kingdom to be nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, festival-goers will be surrounded by the region’s stunning rock formations and generations of history.
According to the news site, the eight-week-long extravaganza “Winter at Tantora,” which runs until February 9, will offer guests “culturally themed heritage events, a spectacular equestrian experience, and a celebration of the winter planting season.” As part of the line-up of international artists, Lebanese vocalist Majida El-Roumi, French violinist Renaud Capuçon, and multiple award-winning Egyptian composer Omar Khairat will perform during the festival.
Lineup at Winter at Tantora
In addition, renowned pianist Lang Lang will perform on the 18th of January, and, on the 25th, guests will be entertained to the vocals and images of the late and much-beloved Egyptian singer Um Kulthum via hologram in Saudi Arabia’s first-ever “virtual” concert. Finally, the last two weekends of the festival will be headlined by world-renowned Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli and Greek composer Yanni.
As part of its efforts to open the Kingdom up to tourism, the government of Saudi Arabia has been developing its sports, cultural, and heritage offerings. Al Ula has been on the top of the country’s efforts as it is home to some of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world, and has also been home for centuries to a number of civilizations such as the Dadanites, Lihyanites, and Nabateans.
