Abeer Balubaid’s ‘Passage of Light’ Wins AlUla Music Competition

Riyadh: Saudi composer and pianist Abeer Balubaid won the AlUla Music Competition with her composition Passage of Light (Masar Al-Nour), a work inspired by AlUla's natural landscapes, civilizational heritage, and cultural identity. According to Saudi Press Agency, AlUla on Wednesday evening concluded the competition, launched by Arts AlUla, the cultural and artistic arm of the Royal Commission for AlUla. The initiative sought to support Saudi musical composition and inspire original works rooted in the region's heritage, culture, and striking landscapes. The competing pieces were assessed by a specialized jury, with the winning composition, Passage of Light, becoming part of the Musical Road project at AlUla's entrance, where visitors are welcomed by a musical piece that interacts with passing vehicles. The competition encouraged participants to create original works composed specifically for AlUla rather than adapting existing pieces, helping foster musical composition and showcase emerging talent. It al so offered awards recognizing creative excellence and supporting promising musicians. Director of Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla Hamad Alhomiedan said the competition was launched to celebrate Saudi musical talent and encourage composers to draw inspiration from AlUla's unique character. He noted that the competition attracted more than 150 submissions from citizens and residents, showcasing a diverse range of artistic styles and creative perspectives while highlighting the Kingdom's emerging musical talent. Balubaid expressed pride in winning the competition, saying her composition was inspired by AlUla's landscapes, cultural heritage, and the stories woven into its history. She said the work sought to capture the spirit of AlUla and embody its distinctive identity. She added that her background in architecture, visual arts, and storytelling played a key role in shaping her creative vision and developing a musical style that combines artistic form with expressive composition , resulting in a contemporary work inspired by the essence of AlUla.