Khoja opens Saudi week in Yemen 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja opened here yesterday a Saudi visual arts exhibition, which has been organized as part of a Saudi cultural week in the Yemeni capital.

"I am really impressed by the great works of Saudi artists," said Khoja after touring the exhibition that included paintings, porcelain works and photographs highlighting Saudi Arabia's development.

Khoja, who is on his first visit abroad after being named the Kingdom's culture and information minister on Feb. 14, was accompanied to the exhibition grounds by Yemeni Minister of Culture Mohammed Al-Muflahi.

The Yemeni minister said the cultural week presents the best of visual and fine arts in both countries. "What I have seen at the art show reflects the remarkable progress achieved by Saudi Arabia in art and culture," he said.

Earlier on arrival at Sanaa airport, Khoja said he was extremely happy to visit the historic city. "It's a city of history, peace, love and wisdom," the minister said.

"When I knock at Sanaa's gate I feel like all the doors of history are open to me," the Saudi Press Agency quoted Khoja as saying.

He said joint cultural programs of Saudis and Yemenis would strengthen the historic relations between the two Arab neighbors.

He thanked Al-Muflahi for organizing the Saudi cultural week in three Yemeni cities: Sanaa, Aden and Mukla.

"We are proud of hosting the Saudi cultural week in Yemen," Al-Muflahi said.

The Yemeni minister urged people in the three cities to take part in the cultural programs being organized on the occasion.