We know what the comedians got out of the Riyadh comedy festival. What about the Saudi regime? | Jonathan Liew

The Riyadh comedy festival has been criticized as a superficial attempt by the Saudi government to acquire genuine cultural expression, which it typically suppresses. This event highlights the ongoing struggle between the regime's desire for a modern image and its reluctance to embrace authentic grassroots culture. The implications of this disconnect are significant, as they reveal the challenges faced by artists in navigating a landscape that often prioritizes state-approved narratives over true artistic freedom.