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Saudi Ministry Launches 1st National Cultural Metaverse Platform in the World

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Ministry Launches 1st National Cultural Metaverse Platform in the World

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Ministry of Culture announced Friday the launch of the first national initiative in the world of the Metaverse supported by the artificial intelligence system for Generative Media Intelligence (GMI), SPA said on Saturday.
The initiative is launched in partnership with droppGroup and its World's First 'Phygital' Metaverse using Hyper ledger Fabric 2.5 block chain technology, which is represented by the Saudi Heritage Metaverse platform.
The platform offers a mix of cultural shows, performances and digital innovation powered by GMI technology, and hosts a dynamic digital environment that allows users to experience many activities and attractions "in real life".
This includes engaging cultural attractions such as the History Walk, sectors dedicated to music, art, history, culinary arts, and crafts, as well as mini-video games. The Performance Center will also stream live events including the Founding Day Commencement Symphony Concert on the ministry's Metaverse platform.
The Ministry of Culture's Metaverse platform is a fully immersive, and web-based experience ready for Mobile XR, ensuring accessibility across a wide range of devices, whether through mobile phones, VR headsets, desktops and other digital devices, as the users are guaranteed a seamless entry into the Metaverse to embody the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to inclusivity, enabling a diverse global audience to explore and participate in the rich history of Saudi culture.
This experience enables millions from the Kingdom, and from all over the world, to experience Saudi events in the Metaverse, which represents a turning point in cultural participation, and this initiative represents a major leap in the future of cultural expression and participation.

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Culture

French Miss Africa Contests Proudly Celebrate Dual Cultures in Paris

Lyse Amissah (c) celebrates her 2024 victory. (AFP)
Lyse Amissah (c) celebrates her 2024 victory. (AFP)
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French Miss Africa Contests Proudly Celebrate Dual Cultures in Paris

Lyse Amissah (c) celebrates her 2024 victory. (AFP)
Lyse Amissah (c) celebrates her 2024 victory. (AFP)

The recent scene in a Paris theatre was loud and tumultuous with hundreds of spectators backing their favorites in the Miss Ivory Coast/France 2024 contest, one of many events at which France's African diaspora celebrate their dual culture.

"Our parents made beautiful children in Europe," remarked a master of ceremony as the 19 contestants took to the stage wearing, in turn, traditional wax dresses, swimsuits and evening wear.

After four hours of suspense, Lyse Amissah, contestant number 18, was declared the winner.

"I am very touched, grateful and proud," said the 22-year-old student who was born in Paris to Ivorian parents.

A few weeks earlier, during rehearsal, Amissah -- who wears her hair short and dyed blond -- said that the contest represented more than just winning a beauty pageant.

"It's a way to get as close to my roots as possible," she said, adding she had always been "steeped in Ivorian culture".

Flora Sy, president of the Miss Ivory Coast/France committee, said that although the contestants are "very proud" to be French, "it is also important for us to show our Ivorian culture".

Things weren't always this upbeat, remembered Mams Yaffa who organized the very first such African contest in France, Miss Mali/France in 2002.

- 'Role models' -

Casual xenophobia and racism were widespread at the time, including at the highest level of state.

The image of Malians was "horribly stigmatizing", said Yaffa, who is now deputy mayor in Paris's 18th district where many residents are of African background.

The first Miss Mali/France contest "provided the framework for activism" and the women competing were "role models for our younger sisters", he said.

Their activism was aimed at promoting hygiene, education and health, and to persuade women not to bleach their skin.

Topics today include illegal immigration. Miss Senegal/France recently talked with young people in Senegal "to convince them not to get into one of those boats", said Mamadou Thiam, who runs the Franco-Senegalese organizing committee.

Amissah is using her fame to help end the "taboo" surrounding endometriosis in Ivory Coast.

Close contacts created by the beauty contests between France and African countries sometimes contrasts with deteriorating diplomatic relations between France and some of its former colonies on the continent.

A recent example is Mali, where the military government asked French troops to leave after 10 years of anti-extremist missions there.

But Yaffa brushed off such tensions, saying his organization will never allow itself to become the "collateral damage" of diplomacy.

"The problem is governments, not the population," he said.

Culture

New York Gears Up for Major Spring Auctions after Soft 2023

At Sotheby's, the jewel in the sale crown is a Francis Bacon portrait estimated at $30-50 million. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
At Sotheby's, the jewel in the sale crown is a Francis Bacon portrait estimated at $30-50 million. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
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New York Gears Up for Major Spring Auctions after Soft 2023

At Sotheby's, the jewel in the sale crown is a Francis Bacon portrait estimated at $30-50 million. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
At Sotheby's, the jewel in the sale crown is a Francis Bacon portrait estimated at $30-50 million. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

New York's major auction houses were preparing for the start of their all-important Spring sales on Monday even as Christie's came under a cyberattack that affected its website.
After a drop in sales in 2023, there is hope among the hammer-wielders that good results in Europe so far this year will be repeated stateside, said AFP.
David Hockney, Francis Bacon, Leonora Carrington, Joan Mitchell, Brice Marden, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alberto Giacometti, Georgia O'Keeffe are among the prominent artists on offer when Sotheby's gets the season underway on Monday.
Christie's and Phillips follow Tuesday.
There will be no shortage of works by Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso in the increasingly globalized market which is still dominated by US collectors.
Christie's, which confirmed it was the victim of a cyberattack on its systems, including the website, expects to bring in between $578 million and $846 million for the sale of some 900 works.
"A technology security issue has impacted some of our systems, including our website. We are taking all necessary steps to manage this matter," a Christie's spokeswoman told AFP.
Sotheby's is setting the bar slightly higher than last year, hoping to fetch between $549 million and $784 million.
"The market is honestly more defined by supply than it is by demand, we're having no difficulty selling things, we're having more difficulty getting people to consign them," said Sotheby's head of contemporary art sales Lucius Elliott.
14 percent drop
With sales of $14.9 billion last year, the art market saw a 14 percent drop compared to 2022, although online transactions saw a 285 percent jump.
Unlike Sotheby's, which has put together the more than 700 works it offers for sale, piece by piece, Christie's most prominent works come from two private collections.
One of those collections belonged to late television pioneer Norman Lear and his wife Lyn, with David Hockney's "A Lawn Being Sprinkled" worth an estimated between $25 million and $35 million, among the stand-out pieces.
"There are probably fewer collections this season than there have been historically for idiosyncratic reasons, but we have great collections (which) will be on the market this season again," said Christie's vice president Max Carter, adding that the March sales in London were among the highest ever.
At Sotheby's, the jewel in the sale crown is a Francis Bacon portrait with an estimate of $30 million to $50 million.
It is the first large-scale painting Bacon did of his then-partner George Dyer in 1966 and the first of ten works he did of the latter before he died on the eve of his death.

Culture

Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
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Hira Cultural District: A History, Culture, and Tourism Hub in Makkah

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)
Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. (SPA)

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah, a unique destination that blends cultural exploration, historical immersion, and modern entertainment.
Spanning 67,000 square meters beside Mount Hira, the district is a landmark sought by residents and tourists alike, said the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.
A dedicated center introduces visitors to the site's historical and geographical significance, along with an overview of the services available.
The centerpiece of the district is the Revelation Exhibition, which tells how prophets received revelations from Allah. One section focuses on the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and explores facets of his life.
Complementing this exhibition is the Holy Quran Museum. Utilizing innovative technology and displaying unique collections, the museum emphasizes the universal significance and enduring legacy of the Quran, highlighting its remarkable preservation through history.
The Hira Cultural District is testament to a successful collaboration. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites, along with the Emirate of Makkah, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Holy Makkah Municipality, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Authority of Endowments jointly oversee and manage the district.

Culture

Cultural Development Fund Concludes Participation in 10th Saudi Film Festival

The Saudi Film Festival is a prominent annual event featuring and celebrating diverse films and screenplays that have witnessed remarkable development over the years - SPA
The Saudi Film Festival is a prominent annual event featuring and celebrating diverse films and screenplays that have witnessed remarkable development over the years - SPA
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Cultural Development Fund Concludes Participation in 10th Saudi Film Festival

The Saudi Film Festival is a prominent annual event featuring and celebrating diverse films and screenplays that have witnessed remarkable development over the years - SPA
The Saudi Film Festival is a prominent annual event featuring and celebrating diverse films and screenplays that have witnessed remarkable development over the years - SPA

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) wrapped up its participation in the 10th annual Saudi Film Festival (SFF). The fund's third consecutive sponsorship of the Saudi Film Festival has come to solidify its role as a key supporter and financial enabler to enrich and stimulate the growth of a vibrant Saudi film sector, according to a CDF news release.
According to the statement, the festival which is celebrating its 10th anniversary was organized by the Saudi Cinema Association in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and with the support of the Film Commission. It took place from May 2nd to May 9th in Dhahran.
According to SPA, the fund's active participation in the eight-day Festival featured a pavilion within the Production Market Exhibition, welcoming guests and film enthusiasts and showcasing its financing and non-financing solutions.
Leading the conversation was the "Film Sector Financing Program," a cornerstone initiative through which the fund supports entities across the film sector. This initiative encompasses everything from film and TV content development to infrastructure, heavy equipment, filming equipment, sound, makeup, and more.
Additionally, the fund showcased its suite of non-financing solutions, including its "Consultations" and "Vouchers" services, which enable creatives to enhance their projects' readiness.
As an integral part of its participation in the Production Market, the CDF engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue session titled "Saudi Support Funds" alongside Ithra and the Red Sea Fund. Faris Alaskar, the fund's representative, took centre stage, shedding light on the comprehensive support extended by the Film Sector Financing Program to industry businesses while exploring the promising opportunities within the Kingdom's burgeoning film industry.
The Production Market's closing ceremony witnessed a tribute to the Cultural Development Fund, acknowledging its invaluable sponsorship of the festival and its pivotal role in championing and supporting the film industry.
The Saudi Film Festival is a prominent annual event featuring and celebrating diverse films and screenplays that have witnessed remarkable development over the years. In this year's edition, the film funded by CDF, "Ahlam Alasr," a cinematic creation by the talented Godus Brothers, competed in the "Feature Film" category, captivating audiences as part of the festival's film screening schedule.
The CDF was founded in 2021 to enhance the cultural landscape within Saudi Arabia further. It is organizationally linked to the National Development Fund to promote the development of a self-reliant cultural sector. The fund actively supports various cultural activities and projects, facilitates investment, and seeks to improve the domestic cultural sector's profitability in alignment with the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Culture

Cultures and Peoples' Festival at Islamic University of Madinah Concludes

500 participating university students represented 95 countries worldwide in the festival - SPA
500 participating university students represented 95 countries worldwide in the festival - SPA
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Cultures and Peoples' Festival at Islamic University of Madinah Concludes

500 participating university students represented 95 countries worldwide in the festival - SPA
500 participating university students represented 95 countries worldwide in the festival - SPA

The Islamic University of Madinah concluded the 12th annual Cultures and Peoples' Festival.

The festival was organized under the slogan "Here is the World" and included 3,114 events and activities for families, children, and the community.
Visitors from all segments of society highly appreciated the events and activities, SPA reported.
The festival organizers confirmed that the current session had an increased number of attendees, which is in line with the significant development the festival has experienced compared to previous years.
They praised the efforts and presentations of 500 participating university students, who represented 95 countries worldwide.

Culture

‘Al-Mansur’ Bust Divides Iraq

A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
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‘Al-Mansur’ Bust Divides Iraq

A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)

Iraq is debating whether to remove a statue of the Abbasid Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansur in central Baghdad. Some argue it’s a cherished symbol, while others say it’s divisive between Shiite and Sunni communities.

Calls to remove the statue coincide with Shiite attempts to make “Eid al-Ghadir” a national holiday, opposed by Sunni parties.

The proposal caused a rift in parliament, with Shiite and Sunni deputies disagreeing on its inclusion without consultation.

The statue of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur was unveiled in Baghdad’s Al-Karkh district in 1977. Created by Iraqi artist Khalid Al-Rahal, it has become a subject of debate over whether it should stay or go.

Calls for its removal have surfaced before, but protection measures were taken, and the voices demanding its removal faded.

However, in 2005, the statue was bombed, attributed to “unknown militants.” It was moved for safety and returned in 2008 during improved security.

Recently, analysts close to the “Coordination Framework” coalition claim the statue angers many Iraqis and argue for its removal.

Public rejection of the proposal has been strong on social media. Iraqi police have deployed around the monument, as seen in widely shared images.

Yet, social media has also seen a resurgence of sectarian tensions, highlighting divisions among Iraq’s communities.

Government representatives have firmly opposed any disrespect towards the statue, emphasizing its importance in Baghdad’s cultural heritage.

“The statue must remain in its place without any form of disrespect or infringement,” Fadel Al-Badrani of the Ministry of Culture told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Badrani highlighted the statue’s significance, noting its role as a symbol cherished by Iraqis and admirers of Baghdad’s history and heritage.

Critics have labeled calls for its removal as “sectarian talk,” reflecting a lack of seriousness in Iraq’s political landscape.

Culture

UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
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UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM

The Ministry of Culture has announced its collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation, Kalimat Group, Fiker Institute and Magrudy Enterprises to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, launched by the Ministry last year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

“The initiative aligns with the UAE's commitment to developing and sustaining its cultural and creative sectors, and to capitalize on investment opportunities in creators who play a pivotal role in building a sustainable creative economy for future generations,” WAM said.

“Under these agreements, the four leading and prestigious entities in the field of literature will work to increase the impact of the program by creating opportunities to support its beneficiaries and introduce their work on local and international platforms within the cultural and creative industries sector, thus achieving sustainable impact,” the news agency added.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi stressed the importance of signing partnership agreements with authorship and publishing institutions.

He said the agreements facilitate the exchange of expertise, enable access to specialists' experience, support the sector's growth sustainably, empower talented writers, including those with unique perspectives and distinguished literary works, and inspire them to pursue further creativity and innovation.

This will support the cultural movement and scene in the UAE and achieve its goals and strategies in spreading knowledge and culture and empowering creators with all tools and means, he added.

Culture

Bronze Age Gold Stolen During British Museum Break-in

The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
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Bronze Age Gold Stolen During British Museum Break-in

The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council

Curators are "devastated" after gold objects dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age were stolen from a museum in Britain, BBC reported.

A gold torc and a gold bracelet were stolen during a break-in at Ely Museum on Tuesday.

The museum acquired the torc, valued at £220,000, in 2017 using grants and donations and it said the loss was a "huge blow,” BBC said.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was looking for two suspects on e-scooters who were believed to be involved in the burglary.

"We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region,” said Elie Hughes, a museum curator.

"It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017.

"As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replaced. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects."

Both items were found in East Cambridgeshire by metal detectorists, BBC said.

Culture

Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Buraydah will join 70 other creative cities worldwide at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2024, held in Thailand from May 9th to 12th. Through its participation, Buraydah aims to strengthen its global presence and programs as a creative city within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

Secretary General of Qassim Chamber Mohammad Al-Hanaya stated that Buraydah's participation in the conference is part of the file plan of Buraydah Creative City, supported and organized by the chamber.

The Qassim Chamber, in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, is responsible for managing and implementing the technical aspects of this file. Buraydah Creative City is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in gastronomy, SPA reporte.
Al-Hanaya highlighted the commitment of the Saudi leadership to ensuring the Kingdom's active and influential presence in international events across various fields, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Executive Liaison Officer for Buraydah Creative City at UNESCO Sulaiman Al-Geffari stated that the city's participation in the conference in Phuket, Thailand, aims to achieve the objectives of joining the Creative Cities Network.

Buraydah will be among more than 70 creative cities in the field of gastronomy from different countries at the conference, with the presence of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, Al-Geffari added.
The city seeks to enhance cooperation among member cities, exchange experiences and initiatives, showcase best practices, and explore avenues for developing enhanced elements of creativity and innovation for sustainable urban development, Al-Geffari stated.

Furthermore, Buraydah aims to foster partnerships between gastronomy cities within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network during the conference.

In 2021, Buraydah became a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, making it the first Gulf city and the second Arab city to join the network.

Culture

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative
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Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

The Culinary Arts Commission said the second edition of "Our Culinary Legacy" initiative, which aims to preserve and share Saudi recipes to enrich the local cuisine and preserve the cultural heritage, will be held in July.
The commission aims to create a comprehensive database of digital or printed Saudi recipes.
Following the success of the first edition, which resulted in the publication of the award-winning book "Sufra, Saudi Feast", which earned the Gourmand award in the "Best Hospitality" and "Best Arab Cuisine Cookbook" categories, the commission is now focusing on documenting more traditional Saudi recipes. The spotlight will be on seafood and vegetarian dishes, with recipes available in two new books: "Sufra: Seafood" and "Sufra: Vegetarian Cuisine".
The choice of seafood dishes stems from Saudi Arabia's coastal location, on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, which teem with a variety of marine life, according to SPA.

Coastal communities have developed unique culinary traditions using seafood. Through drying, refrigerating, or other preservation methods, coastal flavors and cooking styles have spread throughout the Kingdom, leading to acknowledging the delightful Saudi seafood dishes.
At the same time, the commission acknowledges the Kingdom's abundant indigenous plant-based dishes prepared in different regions and highlighting the bounty of local produce.