VENICE, 28 August 2025 — The Ministry of Culture is preparing to launch a contemporary photography exhibition of the Kingdom titled "Hai Aynak" (My Eye Is Alive), at the Abbazia building in the Italian city of Venice, running from 12 September to 10 October 2025, as part of the series of Saudi cultural events held there this year.

The exhibition showcases works shortlisted for the Kingdom Photography Award 2025, an initiative launched by the ministry in 2022 to support professional photographers and encourage emerging talent, reflecting the significant growth the photography sector is witnessing in the Kingdom.

Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, explained that holding the exhibition in Venice represents a significant step toward strengthening the global presence of Saudi visual identity, and showcasing the creativity of Saudi photographers who use their lenses to express the Kingdom's features, heritage and natural landscapes through fresh, contemporary perspectives.

The Kingdom Photography Award aims to build a visual archive documenting the Kingdom's cultural and natural features, support photographers in exploring new creative approaches beyond traditional photography, and build bridges of cultural and knowledge exchange with international audiences.

The exhibition is part of the Saudi cultural events program at the Abbazia building, running from 10 May to 23 November 2025, which aims to highlight the Saudi cultural scene and strengthen its global presence, as part of the ministry's efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in culture, the arts, and international cultural exchange.