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RIYADH: Languages and laughter filled the Hyatt Regency Riyadh on Tuesday night as more than 250 guests joined the European Night of Languages, an annual celebration of Europe’s rich linguistic heritage and its growing cultural exchange with ��������.

Now in its fifth year, the event was organized by the delegation of the EU to �������� in partnership with the Language Exchange Club, a Saudi nonprofit that promotes intercultural understanding and multilingualism.

Christophe Farnaud, the EU’s ambassador to ��������, told Arab News: “The EU has always been in favor of the diversity of languages and to promote exchanges … in the context of this new ��������, that is now happening thanks to Vision 2030, culture is a very important element of it.”

The evening offered guests a chance to practice European languages, interact with ambassadors and diplomatic staff from the EU delegation, and see displays from EU member states’ embassies.

Language stations featured mini-lessons in Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Ukrainian and Swedish.

As part of the cultural exchange, expats were also invited to try their hand at Arabic in a dedicated learning booth. The event also featured live performances, including an oud recital and a concert by a Portuguese band Almanata.

Farnaud added: “It’s a way to trigger or strengthen an interest for other cultures, other languages, which nowadays are very much needed. We live in a world where globalization makes exchanges bigger, stronger, permanent, but then the risk of misunderstanding is also bigger.

“So, if you speak the language, if you accept to have this kind of intellectual discipline to try and understand other people better, who do not always speak your own language, then you will take this globalization as something very positive, with less risks.”

Guests took part in language-themed games, trivia and quizzes, with free language courses offered as prizes.

Among the evening’s highlights was a talk by Saudi-based British media personality John Bin London, who shared his journey learning Arabic.

Known for his fluent Najdi dialect and social media presence celebrating Arab culture, he spoke about the deeper human connections that language learning fosters.

He told Arab News: “I think by getting people together in one room, for them to be able to speak together, to talk — not just Saudis and English people, but people from Lithuania, Romania, France, Portugal, from wherever — they get that opportunity to sit down with people and really get to know them.

“This may start off as a brief introduction, but what then happens there on, giving them those real life experiences, taking it past the basics of Saudi culture, of Saudi coffee and sadu … people are a bit more nuanced than that, so having events like this is really important.”

The event was supported by Alliance Francaise, Goethe-Institut, Education First, SEK International School Riyadh, Teach Me Arabic Academy and Hyphen.

Inspired by the annual European Day of Languages, celebrated on Sept. 26 and jointly organized by the European Commission and the Council of Europe, the Riyadh event reflected the shared goal of promoting linguistic diversity, strengthening intercultural understanding and encouraging lifelong language learning.

RIYADH: The end of 2024 will always hold special memories for Yara Al-Amri. In December last year the young boxer made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal in boxing — a new milestone for the Kingdom’s fast-growing women’s sports scene.

The 21-year-old fighter earned a bronze medal at the Asian Elite Championships in Bangkok, competing in the 52-kilogram category in her first international appearance.

She told Arab News: “It was my first international appearance, which was the toughest part — competing outside my country without my home crowd and coaches.”

The win was historic not only for Al-Amri, but for Saudi sport. “This changed my life, as I wrote history for �������� by winning the first Asian medal in women’s boxing,” she said. “It doesn’t mean we don’t have champions, but the sport is still new in our country. Despite starting later than many nations, we quickly reached their level and proved we can compete and succeed.”

Based in Riyadh, Al-Amri trains under Ali Al-Ahmari at Al-Shabab Club. Standing 174 cm tall, the right-handed orthodox fighter has built a record of 27 fights, with 23 wins and four losses, and holds seven Saudi national titles.

Her path into boxing began unexpectedly. “I first started boxing as a fitness exercise, but soon felt I truly belonged in the sport,” she said. “I’ve always loved challenge and competition, and boxing gave me exactly that. In the ring, it’s just me, my mind, and my hands. Boxing completely changed my lifestyle, making me more disciplined and committed.”

Al-Amri describes the sport as a test of focus as much as strength. “You have to be patient, strategic, and intelligent. Every movement matters.”

Outside the ring, Al-Amri is pursuing a university degree, juggling training sessions and academic deadlines.

“As a university student, my days are always a challenge,” she said. “I train twice a day — morning and evening — while balancing my classes, studies, and daily tasks. My schedule is packed, but I make sure to manage both my academic and athletic commitments.”

Her discipline extends beyond boxing. Earlier this year, she completed the Riyadh Half Marathon, describing the 21-kilometer run as “pure challenge and joy.”

After nearly 30 fights, Al-Amri has learned to embrace both victory and loss. “The biggest lesson I learned from a loss is never leaving the result to the judges,” she said. “The fight must be clear — you have to showcase your skills so strongly that there’s no doubt.

“Injuries and defeats also taught me resilience,” she added. “I always say: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ Before a fight, I’ve learned to control nerves and pressure. It’s natural to feel it, but once I step into the ring, everything switches off — I focus only on my opponent.”

Al-Amri credits her success to the support around her. “My family has been my first and strongest supporters, from the beginning until today. Their belief in me gave me strength,” she said.

She also praised the institutions enabling women’s boxing to grow. “I deeply value the support of the Kingdom of �������� — from our wise leadership to the ministry of sports, the Olympic Committee, the Saudi Boxing Federation, clubs, coaches, and the people. This collective support has been a huge force behind my journey.”

That system, she said, has helped turn a once niche pursuit into a recognized sport for Saudi women.

“My goal is to achieve as many titles as possible — national, regional, continental, and international,” Al-Amri said. “With God’s will, these achievements will come.”

She believes the next generation of Saudi women boxers will go even further. “Women’s boxing in �������� has developed tremendously,” she said. “Clubs and coaches are now available across the country, teams are formed, and the determination of Saudi women is stronger than ever. We are capable of competing, representing, and making the sport grow even bigger.”

In only two years, Al-Amri has collected nine gold medals, seven national titles and two bronzes, combining athletic performance with academic success and public recognition.

Her rapid rise mirrors ��������’s broader transformation under Vision 2030, which continues to expand opportunities for women in professional sports, from football and judo to boxing and beyond.

Al-Amri said her journey shows what happens when opportunity meets belief. “Boxing gave me strength and purpose,” she said. “It made me realize that nothing is impossible when you work hard, stay disciplined, and believe in yourself.”

As she continues to train for upcoming championships and sets her sights on future world competitions, Al-Amri’s mission is simple: to raise ��������’s flag on the global stage.

From her first punch in a Riyadh gym to her medal podium in Bangkok, Yara Al-Amri’s story is one of faith, perseverance, and proof that Saudi women are not just entering the ring, they are redefining it.