Riyadh Welcomes Nordic Youth Orchestra for First Cultural Showcase in the Kingdom
Riyadh — The Nordic Youth Orchestra is set to perform in Riyadh for the first time on Dec. 1, presenting “Metsa,” an immersive instrumental and visual performance staged at Al-Faris International School, marking a significant cultural moment in the city’s expanding arts landscape.
The event is being organized in collaboration with the Saudi Music Hub and the Music Commission, bringing a blend of Nordic musical traditions and contemporary artistic styles to audiences experiencing the ensemble’s work for the first time in the Kingdom.
The performance will feature a live composition by Finnish composer Lasse Heikkila, who drew inspiration from the changing seasons of Northern Europe, weaving natural themes into a piece that integrates sound, narrative and visual storytelling.
Hanna-Marie Laul, head producer of the Nordic Youth Orchestra project, said the group is enthusiastic about performing in Riyadh and emphasized the importance of musical exchange, reflecting the orchestra’s commitment to building cultural understanding through the arts.
She explained that members of the ensemble have self-funded their journey to Saudi Arabia, motivated by a desire to connect with new audiences and to collaborate with local musicians as part of a shared artistic experience.
Laul noted that a significant number of orchestra members have never visited the Kingdom before, making the performance a milestone for both the musicians and the cultural organizations hosting them in Riyadh.
The program will blend Nordic-inspired soundscapes with an accompanying film by a Finnish director, featuring imagery of Estonian and Finnish forests and night skies, merging nature-driven visuals with orchestral composition to create a multi-sensory environment.
In addition to the ensemble performance, the event will feature several solo works, including a special appearance by Saudi cellist Mohammed Al-Guthmi, who will perform alongside the Nordic musicians in a collaboration highlighting the exchange of artistic styles and techniques.
Other soloists include virtuosos Kaur Nellis, Henri Christofer Aavik, Joonatan Rautio, Sonja Kola, Kalervo Kulmala and Laul, each presenting pieces that showcase different facets of Nordic classical and contemporary music traditions.
The showcase will also introduce audiences to traditional Nordic instruments, including the Estonian kannel and the accordion, underscoring the group’s commitment to sharing authentic elements of Northern European musical heritage.
Laul said the orchestra’s objective is to create an atmosphere where cultural bridges can be formed through music, emphasizing that the ensemble arrived independently and will perform without charge to ensure open access for audiences and to encourage broader musical engagement.
She described music as a universal medium that can transcend language and geography, making it a powerful tool for fostering global connection and mutual appreciation across diverse communities.
Organizers expect the event to draw significant interest from students, musicians and art enthusiasts seeking fresh cultural experiences, aligning with ongoing efforts in Riyadh to expand artistic programming and international creative collaboration.
The Nordic Youth Orchestra, composed of young musicians from several Northern European countries, is known for combining classical disciplines with modern performance styles, creating immersive works that emphasize storytelling, cultural identity and shared artistic values.
The group’s arrival in Riyadh is viewed as part of a broader momentum in the Kingdom’s cultural sector, which has been hosting an increasing number of international musical and artistic collaborations as part of a long-term strategy to foster cultural exchange and support creative development.
The performance aims to highlight the potential for sustained collaboration between Saudi and Nordic musicians, with organizers expressing hope that this debut appearance will pave the way for future joint initiatives and expanded artistic partnerships.
The upcoming event serves as a reflection of Riyadh’s growing reputation as a destination for global cultural activity, offering opportunities for international artists to engage with local audiences and contribute to the city’s evolving artistic dialogue.
