The Ban On Movie Theatres Has Just Been Lifted In This Country

In an historic decision, Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on a form of entertainment that’s been illegal in the country for more than 30 years.

After three-plus decades, the ministry of culture has announced that commercial cinemas will once again open their doors in the conservative Arab nation, beginning in early March, 2018.

The decision is part of 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ‘Vision 2030’ programme, which seeks to reform a number of social and economic policies across the country.

The conservative Muslim kingdom once had many cinemas open for business, but in the 1980s religious clerics persuaded authorities to shut them down. To this day, conservative religious leaders continue to house concerns about commercial cinemas. In January of 2017, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al al-Sheikh, for example, is said to have warned citizens of the ‘depravity’ of cinemas and their power to corrupt the kingdom’s morals.

But the decision has been made regardless, with the ministry of culture explaining that the lifted ban is crucially ‘central to the government’s programme to encourage an open and rich domestic culture for Saudis’.

Culture Minister Awwad Alawwad also stated on the topic that: ‘Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification; by developing the broader cultural sector we will create new employment and training opportunities, as well as enriching the kingdom’s entertainment options.’

The scope of the plan is to have 300 cinemas with 2,000 screens by 2030.

This is definitely a major and progressive move by the staunchly conservative country. It is worth nothing that Saudi Arabia was not always so adverse to pop culture. In fact, in the 1970s, it was quite the opposite. It seems now that the country is headed back in that direction.

Of course, perhaps the most important stride for their citizens’ civil liberties this year was allowing women to drive. It appears now with the lift on the movie theatre ban, that that was only the first crucial step in a trend the leadership intends to continue. Real change in the nation is without a doubt brewing.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.