Saudi Arabia starts Riyadh Season 2022 with grand opening ceremony

Fireworks are seen during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

RIYADH, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh inaugurated the opening ceremony of the city-wide celebration, which featured a drone show, performances from the internationally-known circus company Cirque du Soleil and British singer Anne-Marie, and fireworks.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity.

According to the Saudi Gazette report, Riyadh Season 2022 will include 8,500 entertainment, cultural, sports, and artistic activities that will be organized in 15 zones, each "represented by a unique entertaining figure."

The season was first launched in 2019 and succeeded in attracting more than 7 million visitors. ■

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

An artist performs during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (General Entertainment Authority/Handout via Xinhua)

An artist performs during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

Fireworks are seen during the opening ceremony of Riyadh Season 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 21, 2022. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season 2022 started in its capital on Friday with a grand opening ceremony.

Under the slogan "Beyond Imagination," this year marks the third edition of the Riyadh Season, one of the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to boost economic and tourist activity. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)