""It's hard to be a comedian; it's never just bits and punch lines. They expect you to weigh in on so much serious stuff: cancel culture, political repression. And now the latest heavy question plaguing the world of stand-up is: "Should you decline to perform at a comedy festival in a country that has arrested and jailed some of its own comedians?""
""The festival is an outgrowth of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a plan launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to attract Western investment and glitz up his country's draconian image. According to the Atlantic staff writer Vivian Salama, who has covered the Gulf states for decades, the country has changed considerably-at least on the surface. Women drive, work in different sectors, and dress more vibrantly. The country has launched a women's soccer league and expressed interest in hosting the Women's World Cup in 2035.""
Riyadh Comedy Festival concludes amid debate over performing in a country that has arrested and jailed some of its own comedians. The festival is part of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's initiative to attract Western investment and glitz up the country's image. The country has enacted visible changes: women can drive, work in new sectors, dress more vibrantly, and a women's soccer league launched with interest in hosting the Women's World Cup in 2035. Despite these reforms, Saudi leaders continue to jail and harass critics, and U.S. intelligence suspects MBS in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Human Rights Watch called the festival a whitewash, and some comedians' participation prompted outrage.
Read at The Atlantic
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