JEDDAH: Ludovic Pouille, the French ambassador to the Kingdom, and Mohammed Nehad, the French consul general in Jeddah, and their delegation, visited the Balad Al-Fann event in Jeddah to help foster cultural ties between France and Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah Historic District festival aims to enhance cultural interaction in Al-Balad. This initiative seeks to transform the area into a cultural hub and a significant creative center, attracting cultural projects, entrepreneurs, and fostering artistic endeavors. The theme for Balad Al-Fann, running until March 9, is “Past Forward,” and the historical district is filled with projects that combine light and sound, music, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and several local eateries and cafes. The tour began with a visit to several art exhibitions. The guests viewed the architectural exhibition, “Hot Cities,” which looks at strategies for addressing heat in urban environments. They also viewed the “Sinbad” exhibition, which showcases visual artworks created by artists from around the world. The group also explored the “Matters Through Matter” exhibition, featuring works by renowned local and international artists. The tour group embarked on an exploratory trip to Al-Mualleqat Street, Beit Almohandis, and Beit Nassif. They then visited “Zawiya 97,” a hub for the Saudi creative and traditional arts. The tour concluded at Beit Gouta, which hosts musical events. The visit of the French officials to Balad Al-Fann reflects their strong commitment to enhancing cultural exchange and providing opportunities for communication between artists and creatives in both countries. The tour also highlighted the importance of Balad Al-Fann as a vital center in making Jeddah a distinctive cultural and artistic destination.