Saudi Minister Of Culture Prince Badr Engages With Scholarship Students In Japan's Manga Production Program

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan recently met with Saudi students in Tokyo. These students are part of the Manga Production Foundations Program, a collaboration between the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission (LPTC) and Manga Productions. The initiative aims to develop skilled manga artists using Japanese techniques.

The program offers virtual workshops, intensive courses, and training in Japan. It also features competitions that merge manga with Saudi culture. Examples include "Munjanha," which turns Arabic proverbs into manga stories, "Manga Al-Qaseed," adapting Arabic poems, and "Manga Al-Ibil," celebrating camels' cultural symbolism in Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, Prince Badr highlighted the unwavering support from Saudi leadership for enhancing human capabilities across various fields. He stressed the importance of academic and professional training in cultural disciplines. This support underscores the commitment to nurturing talent in diverse areas.

The program has seen significant participation, with over 1,850 individuals benefiting from virtual workshops. Out of these participants, 115 advanced to intensive training, resulting in the creation of 115 unique manga stories. Additionally, 21 students were selected for advanced training in Japan.

The competitions within the program have attracted considerable interest. "Munjanha" received 133 submissions, while "Manga Al-Qaseed" had over 70 entries. Meanwhile, "Manga Al-Ibil" garnered more than 50 submissions. These competitions not only engage participants but also promote cultural exchange through art.

Attendees at the meeting included Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of LPTC; Essam Amanullah Bukhari, CEO of Manga Productions; and students from Kadokawa Contents Academy (KCA). KCA is one of Japan’s top institutions for training and recruiting talent in manga creation.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to blend traditional Saudi themes with modern artistic expressions like manga. By doing so, it fosters a unique cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Japan while empowering young artists with valuable skills.

With inputs from SPA