“Female Voice – or Voices – of Saudi Arabia” is a cultural exchange outreach, developed in close coordination with the German Embassy and Goethe-Institut in Riyadh, as well as the Consulate General in Jeddah, ensuring needed institutional support. Also supported in part by Dussman Group cultural funds.

This project explores the diversity of Saudi Arabian cultural traditions and roots, as well as contemporary society. With two research trips in Dec. 2024 and March 2025, we could gather first impressions and many inspiring contacts. This highly flexible research endeavour aimed to showcase new cultural narratives of women experiencing recent social transformations in Saudi Arabia, expressing their identity through music and other creative/social activities. Our initiative seeks to provide more nuanced insights into women’s roles in Saudi society, while also reconnecting to cultural heritage and traditional arts.

In several meetings with official representatives of the arts and culture in Saudi Arabia, we collected plenty of insights about the creative and social sector. We could share a lot of our experiences and visions with local stakeholders in meetings, panels and presentation – and also meet many locals.

As part of the two research trips to Riyadh and Jeddah in 2024/25, to explore the recent living circumstances for women in Saudi Arabia and their participation in cultural life and civil society, we had the chance to talk to Lina Alaeena, who has an exceptional role in the society and history of Saudi Arabia: Shura Council Former Member, Served as Member of the Health Committee, Vice president of the water, agriculture and environment committee. And Member of the social affairs committee. Chairperson of Jeddah United Club under the National Sports Talent Co. Vice President of the Saudi Sports for All Federation.

In this interview, she talks about her own life and the situation of women inside the country, especially after the political changes in 2017: