This November marked a milestone moment: 50 years of cultural partnership between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Half a century of connection, creativity, and shared ambition, shaped by educators, artists, students, and organisations across both countries.
Since the signing of the Cultural Agreement in 1975, the British Council has worked alongside Saudi partners to support English teaching, education, research, and the arts. Fifty years later, this relationship continues to grow stronger than ever, aligned with the Kingdom’s cultural and creative transformation under Vision 2030.
A Special Visit to Mark the Anniversary
To celebrate this historic moment, we were delighted to welcome Kate Ewart-Biggs OBE, Deputy Chief Executive of the British Council, to Saudi Arabia. Her visit highlighted our long-standing partnerships and the exciting next chapter of collaboration across culture, education, and the creative economy.
Kate joined the British Council Saudi Arabia team in Riyadh for an all-staff gathering, where she shared heartfelt gratitude for the dedication of colleagues who have contributed to this journey over the decades. The event also included long-service awards for team members and a celebratory moment with colleagues and partners, and was attended by representatives from the Royal Commission for AlUla, Ithra, the Saudi Music Commission, and the Saudi Visual Arts Commission, as well as His Majesty’s Ambassador, Mr Stephen Hitchen. These moments reflected the shared pride and commitment that continue to anchor UK–Saudi collaboration.
As part of the anniversary, the British Council commissioned a special artwork by Saudi contemporary artist Hussain AlIsmail. Hussain first engaged with the British Council in 2008 through our arts programmes in Jeddah and spoke about how meaningful it felt to return for this milestone. Known for work that explores cultural narratives and human connection, Hussain created a vibrant mural at our Riyadh office, a visual celebration of the history, diversity, and creativity that define UK–Saudi cultural exchange.
Strengthening Cultural Partnerships
During her visit, Kate met with key cultural partners to discuss how we can continue to support Saudi Arabia’s growing creative sector. These conversations explored new opportunities for collaboration in the arts, skills development, and cultural exchange — reinforcing our shared commitment to nurturing a thriving creative ecosystem.
As we celebrate the past 50 years, we are equally focused on the future. The British Council remains committed to building meaningful connections through English, education, arts, and culture, supporting the next generation of Saudi and UK talent, and fostering collaborations that reflect the spirit of Vision 2030. This anniversary is not only a moment of reflection, but also a reminder of the shared creativity and partnership that will continue shaping the next 50 years.
