Saudi Culture Exhibition in Paris Attracts French and European Visitors

The Saudi Culture Exhibition has attracted French and European visitors through the exhibition's various pillars in Paris. SPA
The Saudi Culture Exhibition has attracted French and European visitors through the exhibition's various pillars in Paris. SPA
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Saudi Culture Exhibition in Paris Attracts French and European Visitors

The Saudi Culture Exhibition has attracted French and European visitors through the exhibition's various pillars in Paris. SPA
The Saudi Culture Exhibition has attracted French and European visitors through the exhibition's various pillars in Paris. SPA

The Saudi Culture Exhibition, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission in Paris, has attracted French and European visitors through the exhibition's various pillars.

Visitors' experience includes a photography exhibition by French photographer Terry Moujie, which includes a presentation of his most prominent work in the south of the Kingdom, his comic books, and a special stand for rare manuscripts and archaeological replicas.

The exhibition included an introduction to the "Translate" initiative, the philosophy conference, and the writers and readers festival, as well as a show of a number of local costumes to promote cultural exchange between the Saudi and French communities, as one of the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Culture under the umbrella of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The first week's events emphasize the quality of the cultural program prepared by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission in partnership with the Heritage Commission, Libraries Authority, the Music Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Architecture and Design Commission, the Fashion Commission, the Film Commission, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy.

Poetry evenings and short films produced through a competition supporting film-making were featured in the first week of the event.

The second week of the event will include eight symposiums, three poetry evenings, five short screenings as well as the screening of the documentary "Tarouq", a panel session on the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism, three performances demonstrations of handicrafts, and capacity-building and techniques in the heritage of handicrafts.

Through this participation, the cultural sector seeks to highlight the uniqueness and creativity of the Saudi culture's hundreds of years of history through delivering seminars on Saudi literature, translation efforts, and cultural and musical fusion, among others.



Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
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Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded, SPA reported.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.


Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
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Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s authentic architectural identity.

One of its recent projects is the comprehensive renovation of Al-Qibli Mosque in the old neighborhood of Manfuha in Riyadh. The restoration reflects traditional Najdi architecture and highlights the mosque’s connection to the town’s administrative and social history, SPA reported.

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace. It was historically the closest mosque to the town’s seat of government and was frequented by princes and prominent figures. The mosque spans approximately 500 square meters. It includes an outer courtyard, an inner prayer hall, and a lower prayer room of equal size that dates back to the original construction. Square, plaster-lined windows on the north and south sides provide natural ventilation.

These were added during the mosque’s second reconstruction around 1364 AH (1945 AD).

The covered inner prayer hall measures 15 by 8 meters and rests on 33 columns arranged in three rows. It was built by architect Abdullah bin Masoud upon the order of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman. The roof is constructed using tamarisk and palm trunks, and a minaret stands at the center of the northern façade. Following earlier renovations in 1414 AH (1993 AD), the mosque remains the last mud-brick mosque in old Manfuha.

According to SPA, its design creates a visual connection between the courtyard and the inner hall, alongside a secluded lower prayer room. The site also includes the historic water fountain of Faris bin Abdullah bin Shaalan, who died in 1175 AH (1762 AD), and an old ablution area.

The current renovation uses the same local materials as the original construction, including mud, plaster, tamarisk wood, and palm fronds. Specialized Saudi heritage companies and engineers are overseeing the work to ensure preservation of historical authenticity while meeting modern sustainability standards.

The restoration aligns with the project’s four objectives: preparing historical mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural dimension, and enhancing religious significance. The project supports the cultural and civilizational goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s architectural heritage for future generations.