DUBAI: The Governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, awarded on Monday the winners of the National Cultural Awards initiative during the closing ceremony at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. Sheikh Muhammad bin Nasser Al-Aboudi was awarded the Cultural Personality of the Year award due to his literary career across multiple fields. His son Khalid bin Muhammad Al-Aboudi received the award on his behalf. Meanwhile, the Youth Cultural award went to film director Shahad Ameen for her exceptional contributions to the industry. The Vice Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, who attended the ceremony, praised the Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman for Vision 2030, which said “restored culture as a fundamental pillar in building society and a basis for the national identity.” “Culture, with its civilizational, social and developmental value, has now been given its rightful place thanks to Saudi Arabias inspiring and ambitious Vision 2030,” he said, referring to it as the “manifestation of pride in the history and civilization of the Kingdom.” The National Cultural Awards initiative, according to Fayez, will contribute to cultural development, support intellectuals and appreciate their cultural achievements. “These awards, with their moral and materialistic value, come in recognition of the outstanding efforts made by local creatives in various cultural fields,” he added.  The initiative included 14 cultural awards: Cultural Personality of the Year Award Youth Cultural Award Cultural Institutions Award Film Award Fashion Award Music Award National Heritage Award Literature Award Theater and Performing Arts Award Visual Arts Award Architecture and Design Award Culinary Arts Award Publishing Award Translation Award