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Strike Closes Eiffel Tower Down on 100th Anniversary of Creator Death

This photograph taken on December 27, 2023 in Paris shows the reflection of tourists and the Eiffel Tower in a board informing visitors that the site is closed after staff went on strike. (AFP)
This photograph taken on December 27, 2023 in Paris shows the reflection of tourists and the Eiffel Tower in a board informing visitors that the site is closed after staff went on strike. (AFP)
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Strike Closes Eiffel Tower Down on 100th Anniversary of Creator Death

This photograph taken on December 27, 2023 in Paris shows the reflection of tourists and the Eiffel Tower in a board informing visitors that the site is closed after staff went on strike. (AFP)
This photograph taken on December 27, 2023 in Paris shows the reflection of tourists and the Eiffel Tower in a board informing visitors that the site is closed after staff went on strike. (AFP)

The Eiffel Tower was closed on Wednesday, the 100th anniversary of its creator's death, due to a strike, the company that oversees the tower, Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), said on the website of Paris' most famous landmark.

"A symbolic action on a symbolic date," said the CGT union in a statement, adding that staff members wanted to call out the current financial management of SETE.

They said they feared poor decisions could lead to a cash shortage, due in part to a lack of visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to expensive repairs needed on the historical building.

The statement added that if the city did not revise its management, the tower could be closed during Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The wrought-iron 324-meter (1,063 ft) high tower, built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, is among the most visited tourist sites in the world, welcoming about six million visitors each year.

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Saudi Arabia Launches Awareness Campaign on Cultural Significance of Museums

Saudi Arabia Launches Awareness Campaign on Cultural Significance of Museums
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Saudi Arabia Launches Awareness Campaign on Cultural Significance of Museums

Saudi Arabia Launches Awareness Campaign on Cultural Significance of Museums

The Saudi Museums Commission announced the launch of “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” campaign, which aims at raising awareness of museums’ role in preserving history and cultural heritage, strengthening national identity, and promoting new forms of creative expression.

The campaign motto embodies the Museums Commission’s forward-looking vision centered on innovation, preservation of historical and contemporary cultural treasures and practices, and fostering creativity for generations to come. Through “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” campaign, the Museums Commission presents museums as spaces where the past is kept safe, and where the future takes shape, SPA reported.
According to a statement issued by the Museums Commission on Sunday, the campaign includes digital content that showcases the museums and cultural centers under the Museums Commission’s authority, including: the National Museum, Al-Masmak Palace Museum, Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA@Jax), Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), in Riyadh, and the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah. It also introduces future museums under development that are poised to enrich the Kingdom’s cultural landscape, in particular the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh and the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah.
As part of its efforts to preserve Saudi heritage and highlight its diversity, the Commission also announced the development of museums in 11 regions of the Kingdom, as follows: Al-Qassim, Al-Jouf, Aseer, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Arar, Dammam, Makkah, Jazan, and Al-Baha. Under the motto “Our Saudi Story,” the regional museums will celebrate the cultural elements that make up Saudi history, heritage, and identity, collectively weaving the story of the Kingdom’s diverse cultural tapestry and rich history. In addition to displaying permanent collections, these museums will offer temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, thus becoming inclusive spaces of knowledge, wonder, and community for all.
The statement added that the motto “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” reflects the Museums Commission’s commitment to sustainability, be it through documenting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations, or through integrating environmentally friendly practices into the design and operation of museums.
With “Telling Tomorrow’s Story”, the Museums Commission presents museums as more than just spaces – they are gateways to the rich stories of Saudi Arabia’s past, present and future.