JEDDAH: As part of the activities of Riyadh Season, the General Entertainment Authority announced on Sunday the launch of the biggest oud-related music event of its kind in the Middle East taking place in the Music section at Riyadh Boulevard until March 30. The event will also include a three-day oud competition called “King of Oud” between 10 participants from different Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. Saudi Royal Court adviser and chairman of the GEA, Turki Al-Sheikh, announced the competition on March 22 via his official Twitter account. FAST FACTS • Candidates will perform in front of an audience, and will be rated by five oud professionals on a jury. • The panel will feature players and composers, and include Hamad Brosli, Khaled Mohammed Ali, Mamdouh Al-Jabali, Abdullah Bahchwan, and Charbel Rouhana. The event represents the largest Arab gathering of oud players. • The competition is aimed at embracing and reviving musical heritage among the Saudi community through the medium of the instrument and traditional music. In a video, the he explained that the competition is a wonderful chance for every oud player to participate from around the globe to will the title of “King of Oud,” and that participants can apply by sharing a video of themselves playing the instrument to: [email protected] Al-Sheikh tweeted: “Waiting for all talented oud players from around the Arab world and the globe.” Candidates will perform in front of an audience, and will be rated by five oud professionals on a jury. The panel will feature players and composers, and include Hamad Brosli, Khaled Mohammed Ali, Mamdouh Al-Jabali, Abdullah Bahchwan, and Charbel Rouhana. The event represents the largest Arab gathering of oud players. According to the GEA, the competition is aimed at embracing and reviving musical heritage among the Saudi community through the medium of the instrument and traditional music. The event will also feature two oud-related exhibitions: A huge collection of the rarest ouds from around the world, and an array of the most famous and distinguished oud manufacturers in the world. Contestants will perform on the first and second day from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., with the “King of Oud” announced at 9. p.m. on day three. The award ceremony will be followed by a 90-minute oud closing show. The second Riyadh Season was launched in October 2021, hosting many special events, including theater and cinema shows, mass concerts — in which international stars and bands participated — as well as exhibitions of fine art and other entertainment activities. The GEA recently announced that, according to its statistics, the second Riyadh Season has received 15 million visitors from around the world.