The General Director of Casa Árabe visits Saudi Arabia to strengthen cultural, academic and institutional cooperation

Last week, Miguel Moro Aguilar visited the country with the objective of strengthening institutional relations and exploring new forms of cooperation in the fields of culture, Arabic language, public diplomacy, research and innovation, as well as building closer bonds between Spain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The scheduled events began on January 26 with a visit to the Global Academy of the Arabic Language (KSGAAL), where Casa Árabe’s General Director took part in a meeting with the academy’s Secretary General, Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, along with representatives from the Embassy of Spain. During the meeting, they discussed potential areas for cooperation to promote and teach the Arabic language, including those already started up last year, when the Academy celebrated “Arabic Language Month” at Casa Árabe’s headquarters in Madrid. The visit also included a tour of the complex’s exhibitions and a meeting with Spanish students studying at the institution.

The next day, Casa Árabe’s General Director visited the office of Navantia in Riyadh, where he held a meeting with Álvaro Lobo. Then he went to the headquarters of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he met with Dr. Raed bin Khalid Qarmali, Deputy Minister of General Diplomatic Affairs. The meeting revolved around the role of cultural and academic diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations. The day of events ended with his participation in the official event to launch the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East, an initiative oriented towards promoting leadership and innovation within the region.

On January 28, the schedule continued with a visit to Ithra (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture), one of the country’s leading cultural landmarks, where potential synergies in the field of cultural programming and international cooperation were explored.

On January 29, Casa Árabe’s General Director, along with the Spanish Ambassador in Riyadh, held a meeting with Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, President of the Gulf Research Center (GRC), which focuses on analyzing regional challenges and opportunities for cooperation on research and strategic studies. A meeting was then held with Abdul Karim Al Zeiti, Deputy Director of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, to address projects related to documentary heritage, knowledge and library cooperation. That same afternoon, Miguel Moro Aguilar attended the official opening ceremony of the Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale 2026, one of the country’s leading international contemporary art events.

Once in the city of Jeddah, the General Director took a trip by high-speed train between Jeddah and Medina, with technical stops and institutional visits, which allowed him to get a first-hand view of the technological advancement that this railway milestone has represented for the country’s transportation network.

This visit forms part of Casa Árabe’s work to promote intercultural dialogue, strengthen relations with the Arab world and foster mutual understanding, strengthening the bond with Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner in the cultural, academic, institutional and economic realms.