The seventh edition of the "Kalimatain" forum has opened in Riyadh, hosted at the Visitor Center in Misk City from 16 to 17 June 2026, in a step aimed at supporting the growth of the cultural sector and strengthening the Kingdom's creative industries ecosystem.

The forum is supported by the Cultural Development Fund as part of its efforts to empower cultural entrepreneurs and projects and help build a sustainable creative economy that raises the cultural sector's contribution to economic development.

This edition is the forum's first stop outside Kuwait since its launch in 2017. It is hosted by the Mashtal creative incubator, one of the cultural initiatives supported by the fund, with the aim of strengthening Gulf cooperation in creativity and culture through panel discussions, workshops and networking between creators, investors and project owners.

The first day featured a keynote session titled "The Saudi Creative Economy: From Activity to Assets", which examined the transformation of the cultural sector and its role in supporting the national economy, with a number of cultural leaders and specialists.

The Cultural Development Fund also offered free consulting sessions for creators and entrepreneurs to help them develop their projects and address the financial, management and technical challenges they face, along with the guidance and support needed to turn creative ideas into sustainable projects.

The second day is scheduled to include a workshop titled "Cultural Development Fund Solutions: Support, Enablement and Sustainability", presenting the fund's main financing programs and enablement solutions for growing cultural projects and strengthening their sustainability.

The participation is part of the fund's efforts to boost investment in the cultural sector, empower creative enterprises and raise the contribution of the cultural economy to GDP, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

At a Glance

  • Dates: 16 and 17 June 2026
  • Venue: Visitor Center, Misk City, Riyadh
  • Supporter: Cultural Development Fund
  • Edition: seventh, and the first outside Kuwait
  • Activities: panel discussions, workshops, free consultations, professional meetings
  • Audience: creators, entrepreneurs, cultural and investment enterprises