Minister of Media Launches 'Saudipedia Platform' at Saudi Media Forum

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
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Minister of Media Launches 'Saudipedia Platform' at Saudi Media Forum

A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)
A landmark is lit up in the colors of the national flag in Diriyah on the occasion of Saudi National Day. (SPA file photo)

Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari launched in Riyadh on Monday the digital platform for the Saudi encyclopedia (saudipedia.com).

The launch was held at the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) during the Saudi Media Forum.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha and several other officials from Arab and international media outlets attended the event.

The Saudi encyclopedia is one of the initiatives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudipedia will be a comprehensive platform that offers encyclopedic content covering various aspects of the Kingdom, including culture, society, economy, politics, geography, and history. It will serve as an authentic source of knowledge for regional, Arab, and international media, and as a knowledge platform with accurate information about Saudi affairs.

The platform is expected to become the primary reference on Saudi information and will be available in multiple languages.

Al-Dosari said work was started to create Saudipedia, an initiative that aligns with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s vision to establish a thriving society that takes pride in its rich history, heritage, and distinctive cultural identity.

He said: “Saudipedia aims to become the primary source of information about the leadership, people, history, geography, and culture of Saudi Arabia. We will achieve this by providing a platform in multiple languages, starting with Arabic.”

The Saudi encyclopedia will combine multimedia elements to enhance its textual content and will undergo regular updates to reflect the cultural, civilizational, historical, and natural geographical wealth of the Kingdom.



Jazan Festival 2026 Kicks Off Thursday with Grand Parade

his year’s festival offers an unprecedented experience that brings together the charm of the region’s unique geographic diversity - SPA
his year’s festival offers an unprecedented experience that brings together the charm of the region’s unique geographic diversity - SPA
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Jazan Festival 2026 Kicks Off Thursday with Grand Parade

his year’s festival offers an unprecedented experience that brings together the charm of the region’s unique geographic diversity - SPA
his year’s festival offers an unprecedented experience that brings together the charm of the region’s unique geographic diversity - SPA

The Jazan Festival 2026 will launch on Thursday in a carnival anticipated by thousands of visitors from within the region and beyond.

The festival will open with a grand celebratory parade starting at 3:45 p.m. along the Jazan city waterfront, signaling the start of an entertainment and cultural season that will extend for several months, according to SPA.

This year’s festival offers an unprecedented experience that brings together the charm of the region’s unique geographic diversity, from its towering green mountains and golden beaches to its picturesque islands, alongside the authenticity of its rich heritage, complemented by modern touches in entertainment programs designed to meet the aspirations of all age groups.

Performing arts inspired by local folklore will add an authentic dimension, while moving installations will flow in harmonious rhythm.

Completing the visual spectacle, integrated light and sound shows will create an enchanting atmosphere before the festivities conclude with a dazzling fireworks display lighting up the Jazan sky in vibrant colors.


UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures Hosts Lectures on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

The program was presented as an advanced knowledge initiative that combined theoretical perspectives with practical application - SPA
The program was presented as an advanced knowledge initiative that combined theoretical perspectives with practical application - SPA
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UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures Hosts Lectures on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

The program was presented as an advanced knowledge initiative that combined theoretical perspectives with practical application - SPA
The program was presented as an advanced knowledge initiative that combined theoretical perspectives with practical application - SPA

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair in Translating Cultures at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS), with support from the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, organized a training course and a series of specialized lectures on the translation and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, SPA reported.

The program was presented as an advanced knowledge initiative that combined theoretical perspectives with practical application, opening space for in-depth discussion of the challenges of translating intangible heritage as a living, evolving form of culture closely tied to its cultural, social, and performative contexts.

The course and lectures adopted a comprehensive approach that views translation as a cultural tool for preserving oral memory and building bridges between local specificity and the global sphere.

This approach was reflected through applied models, field experiences, and contemporary conceptual frameworks.


Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh’s Boat Is Being Reassembled in Public at Grand Egyptian Museum

People walk next to King Khufu's boat gem, also known as the Solar Boat, as work to restore the second solar boat has started with wooden planks part of the 1,650-piece structure being installed on a metal frame through Egyptian-Japanese cooperation with two Japanese universities, marking the start of preparations for the second boat's public display at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), near the Giza Pyramid Complex, in Giza, Egypt, December 23, 2025.
People walk next to King Khufu's boat gem, also known as the Solar Boat, as work to restore the second solar boat has started with wooden planks part of the 1,650-piece structure being installed on a metal frame through Egyptian-Japanese cooperation with two Japanese universities, marking the start of preparations for the second boat's public display at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), near the Giza Pyramid Complex, in Giza, Egypt, December 23, 2025.
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Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh’s Boat Is Being Reassembled in Public at Grand Egyptian Museum

People walk next to King Khufu's boat gem, also known as the Solar Boat, as work to restore the second solar boat has started with wooden planks part of the 1,650-piece structure being installed on a metal frame through Egyptian-Japanese cooperation with two Japanese universities, marking the start of preparations for the second boat's public display at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), near the Giza Pyramid Complex, in Giza, Egypt, December 23, 2025.
People walk next to King Khufu's boat gem, also known as the Solar Boat, as work to restore the second solar boat has started with wooden planks part of the 1,650-piece structure being installed on a metal frame through Egyptian-Japanese cooperation with two Japanese universities, marking the start of preparations for the second boat's public display at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), near the Giza Pyramid Complex, in Giza, Egypt, December 23, 2025.

A boat belonging to an Egyptian pharaoh is being assembled in full view at the Grand Egyptian Museum’s exhibition hall.

Staff began piecing together the cedarwood boat, one of two that were found that belong to King Khufu, Tuesday morning as dozens of visitors watched.

The assembly of the 42-meter (137-foot) -long vessel, which sits next to its already-assembled twin that has been on display, is expected to take around four years, according to Issa Zeidan, head of restoration at the Grand Egyptian Museum. It contains 1,650 wooden pieces.

King Khufu ruled ancient Egypt more than 4,500 years ago and built the Great Pyramid of Giza.

“You’re witnessing today one of the most important restoration projects in the 21st century,” said Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy, who attended the event.

The $1 billion museum, also known as GEM, was touted as the world’s largest when it was lavishly inaugurated last month. It's home to nearly 50,000 artifacts, including the collection of treasures from the tomb of the famed King Tutankhamun, which was discovered in 1922. The museum, located near the pyramids at the edge of Cairo, is expected to boost Egypt’s tourism revenues and help bolster its economy.

The boat was one of two discovered in 1954, opposite the southern side of the Great Pyramid. The excavation of its wooden parts began in 2014, according to the museum’s website.

The exact purpose of the boats remains unclear, but experts believe they were either used to transport King Khufu’s body during his funeral or were meant to be used for his afterlife journey with the sun god Ra, according to the museum.