Ithra

Ithra, formally the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, is a cultural centre in Dhahran, in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. It gathers art, books, performances and hands-on learning in a single complex, and it welcomes visitors of every age, with no minimum age. People come to spend a day moving between galleries, a library, screens and workshops. Inside, the museum has five galleries of local and international work, from contemporary art to cultural heritage. The library rises over four floors. Families can head to the children's museum, where younger visitors learn through play, sound and visuals. There is a 315-seat cinema, a 900-seat theatre for international shows and events, and the three-floor Idea Lab for experimenting and making things. The Energy Exhibit traces the past and future of energy through hands-on displays, and Ithra Academy runs workshops in art, design, writing and innovation. Doors are open from 09:00 until midnight. Saudi Aramco developed the centre, and it opened to the public in 2018. Its metallic towers give the complex a distinctive look, and the design is meant to reflect the Kingdom's move towards an economy built on knowledge. Inside, the programmes aim to nurture local talent and encourage cultural exchange with the wider world.