Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Hosts ‘Tales of Water’ Celebrating Shared Maritime Heritage with Japan

Photography: Courtesy of SPA

Osaka, May 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka hosted a cultural event titled "Tales of Water", highlighting the maritime heritage shared between Saudi Arabia and Japan through a dramatic celebration of two diving civilizations.

The event drew striking parallels between Japan’s Ama divers—known for their traditional free-diving practices—and Saudi Arabia’s historic pearl divers, both united by a deep-rooted legacy of endurance, risk, and oceanic exploration.

Presented through immersive visuals projected across five 13-meter-high walls and accompanied by live performances, the show followed the journey of a Saudi diver in search of the world’s largest pearl, a quest that took him away from home and loved ones for more than six months. In a reflective segment, Ama divers performed alongside a cellist and two vocalists, offering a powerful expression of cultural continuity and shared maritime values.

Visitors explored interactive exhibits and traditional diving tools, deepening their understanding of the two nations’ historic relationships with the sea and promoting cross-cultural dialogue.

The Saudi Pavilion, the second largest at the expo after Japan’s, is set to host over 700 events, including musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, and cultural showcases as part of the Kingdom’s contribution to global cultural exchange.