ALULA, Saudi Arabia — Lebanese star Hiba Tawaji is performing live in AlUla on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in an event that marks the return of music and events to Maraya since before the pandemic. Hiba, a renowned Lebanese singer, actor and director, has performed on many prestigious stages around the world and has a huge regional and international fan base. Hiba also had the pleasure of reigniting music loving Saudi audiences in 2017 as the first female singer to bring music back to the live stage in the Kingdom. Now visiting AlUla for the first time, Hiba will be enchanting the audience with records from her 14-year-old long repertoire of Arabic and non-Arabic music. Kicking off the events season in AlUla, the popular singer will be echoing through the stunning Ashar Valley in the ancient desert city along with the dazzling rhythms of acclaimed composer, musician and producer, Oussama Rahbani, accompanied by 53 international musicians from around the world. Due to reduced COVID-safe capacity of the concert, tickets are expected to sell out fast with fans and music lovers from the Kingdom and the wider MENA region. As Saudi Arabia continues to reopen, live music concerts among other major cultural and art events are making their way back to the AlUla. As part of the recently announced AlUla Moments events calendar, more concerts and cultural events are scheduled to take place in AlUla in the coming weeks and months. Maraya was last used for musical events in March 2020 when it hosted Lionel Richie and a Persian Nights trio of regional performers at Winter at Tantora. It has also played host to prestigious events such as the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and Nobel Laureates Prize 2020. The venue has undergone further enhancement during 2020 and is now proud home to rooftop restaurant, Maraya Social, by acclaimed British chef Jason Atherton, which officially opens to public on Oct. 27, in perfect time for Maraya’s first concert of 2021. Hiba will be the first in a series of exciting regional and international artists to perform in 2021 and as part of AlUla Moments calendar. Hiba said, “I have always wanted to perform in AlUla, a place with such history and creative legacy. “To sing in Maraya is such an honor, we had to think carefully about this performance to do the destination and venue justice and it will be a special event.” Attendees do not need a COVID-19 test, but all the appropriate health and safety measures and national health regulations will be implemented. — SG