Cortona On The Move

Currently Not Available

The international festival of photography is currently not available and will return back to AlUla soon. Follow @AlUlaMoments on Social to be the first one to know on upcoming festivals.

The world’s leading documentary photographers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America were selected by the curators Arianna Rinaldo and the Saudi-based visual artist Kolhood Albakr. Cortona On The Move, an international festival of photography held in Cortona, a small town in Italy, was born in 2011; now, in its 12th edition, it is a global point of reference for photography.

Site-specific exhibitions were accompanied by an engagement programme including guided tours, talks, screenings and training opportunities for budding photographers. Cortona On The Move for AlUla, a cultural bridge between AlUla and Cortona, marked the first international photographic event of this scale in the Kingdom. It celebrated creativity through images and shared stories, it helped developed skills and enriched the lives of visitors and communities in AlUla, in Cortona and beyond.

Bringing together a group of local, regional and international artists expressed a strong sense of community and empathic participation. It gave a peek into our shared struggles and emotions. Past Forward took us on a journey that accompanied us along with the flow of human narratives through the lens of Time and Timelessness.

Cortona on the Move Guided Tours

GUIDED HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

For those who were looking for a more in-depth immersive experience, guided tours of Cortona on the Move were available, featuring all 14 locations included with this incredible exhibit.

FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

Special family tours were available for Cortona On The Move, featuring artists Stephanie Gengotti, Deanna Dikeman, Catherine Panebianco and Aleksi Poutanen.

Cortona on the Move

Explore More in AlJadidah

After viewing the photography at Cortona on the Move, relax and grab a bite to eat at one of the many dining options available at AlJadidah, find local handcrafts and great gifts, and visit the Base & Boon salon for ladies or The Art of Shaving for men.

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AlUla Arts Festival Highlights

AlJadidah

A vibrant new hub of restaurants, shops and more, AlJadidah quickly became a must-visit location in AlUla. Beautiful murals bring an artistic touch to the pedestrian-friendly area, where the world's largest hand-painted carpet lines the road for visitors. Centrally located, AlJadidah sits beautifully on the edge of AlUla Old Town and overlooks the AlUla Oasis.

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Desert X AlUla 2022

Desert X AlUla 2022 returned for its second edition with an extraordinary open-air art exhibition from 11th February to 30th March 2022. Placing visionary contemporary artworks by 15 Saudi and international artists amidst the remarkable desert landscape of AlUla, 2022's exhibition explored ideas of mirage and oasis.

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Path Of Poets

The live immersion show "Path of Poets" brought to life a re-creation of the celebrated poet Jamil bin Muammar alongside other characters, sharing the story of Buthaina in this specially created show of creative storytelling.

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What Lies Within

What Lies Within was an exhibition of Saudi contemporary art from the collection of Basma AlSulaiman hosted at the award-winning Maraya.

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AlUla Performing Arts Festival

The AlUla Performing Arts Festival was a unique international festival that celebrated all forms of performing arts. From acrobatic performances to traditional street buskers, AlJadidah was bustling with all kinds of activity for an incredible ten days.

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ALULA ARTIST RESIDENCY: THE OASIS REBORN EXHIBITION

Upon completing the first AlUla Artist Residency, the six participating artists had their works and research on display at The Oasis Reborn Exhibition. Located in the palm-grove of Mabiti AlUla, the exhibition invited visitors to immerse themselves in the cultural oasis of AlUla and discover new perspectives on this ancient landscape.

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Barzan Living Gardens

Handed down through generations, Barzan Living Gardens is a place of natural beauty and deep heritage, shining a light on the cultural connection between the people of AlUla and the resources of the AlUla Oasis. Supported by friendly guides, guests explored this living landscape and discovered its stories through the prisms of art, heritage and nature.

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Remote AlUla

This 90-minute, site-specific immersive audio tour by Rimini Protokoll explored life, the past and the imagined future of AlUla. During the tour, guests were guided by a digital voice as they encountered the beauty of the AlUla Oasis and AlJadidah in an innovative and immersive theatre experience focused on AlUla.

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Cinema ElHoush

The beautiful outdoor set-up of Cinema ElHoush offered the chance to enjoy a selection of world-class movies from Saudi, Arab and International directors. Cinema-goers grabbed local coffee with friends at the in-house café before their films and participated in engaging discussions with directors afterwards.

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Cortona On The Move

The first edition of the international photography festival Cortona On The Move for AlUla took place in AlJadidah. The 18 exhibited artist works wove seamlessly between Time, Life and Longing. These site-specific exhibitions were accompanied by guided tours, talks, screenings and training opportunities for budding photographers.

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Plan Your Trip To AlUla

Flying to AlUla

Saudia Airlines and flydubai fly into and out of AlUla International Airport (ULH). The newly renovated airport is located just 35 km (a 30-minute drive) from the city centre.

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What to Do

Unlock the secrets of this open-air museum, where an exciting collection of immersive experiences and activities bring its stories to life.

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Where to Eat

In AlUla there are many dining options to replenish your energy after a day of exploring. Casual to fine dining options are available.

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Where to Stay

Looking for a place to rest after a long day’s adventure? From high-end luxury to sustainable eco-resorts, AlUla offers a range of accommodation options.

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