Eiffel Tower Operator Says Strike by Staff Has Ended, Site to Reopen on Sunday

 This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
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Eiffel Tower Operator Says Strike by Staff Has Ended, Site to Reopen on Sunday

 This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)

A strike by staff at the Eiffel Tower has ended, the company that runs one of the most visited tourist sites in the world said in a statement on Saturday.

The tower will reopen on Sunday, the Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which is owned by Paris City Hall, added.

Workers at the Eiffel Tower went on strike on Feb. 19 in protest over the way the Paris monument is managed.

It came as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which begin on July 26 and will feature metal from the tower in the winners' medals.

SETE and trade unions "reached an end-of-strike agreement stipulating that the parties will regularly review the company's business model, maintenance costs and sales through a body that will meet every six months", the company said.

SETE said visitors who bought tickets between Feb. 19-24 will get refunds.

Unions claim Paris City Hall, which owns 99% of SETE, is underestimating the cost of planned maintenance and repairs to the monument ahead of the Olympics.



Jeddah Book Fair Highlights Saudi Manga and Comics’ Rise from Hobby to Professionalism

Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
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Jeddah Book Fair Highlights Saudi Manga and Comics’ Rise from Hobby to Professionalism

Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)
Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)

A dialogue session held on the main stage of the Jeddah Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, discussed the rapid transformations taking place in the manga and comics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the title "The Saudi Manga and Comics Wave: From Hobby to Professionalism."

The session began by outlining the features of the creative renaissance in these art forms, explaining how they evolved in just a few years from individual initiatives and youthful hobbies to a mature artistic movement and a cultural vision embraced by institutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The session highlighted the development of manga and comics in Saudi Arabia and the challenges and opportunities artists face as they transition from hobby to professional practice. It reviewed the local scene, which has seen a broad presence, bolstered by media platforms that support Saudi productions and help spread this art form among the public.

The session explained that manga and comics in Saudi Arabia have developed a clear artistic identity that reflects Saudi cultural values such as generosity, courage, and humanity. It emphasized that professionalism depends on an integrated system encompassing concept, story writing, illustration, and design.

The session concluded by highlighting the most prominent professional challenges in this field, while stressing that human creativity remains the key factor of manga and comics production and the true engine of this art form's development.


Red Sea Film Festival Partners with Annecy to Boost Saudi Animation Industry and Talent

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
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Red Sea Film Festival Partners with Annecy to Boost Saudi Animation Industry and Talent

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA
The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA

The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced a strategic three-year partnership with the CITIA, organizer of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, formalized by a memorandum of understanding signed in Jeddah by Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Faisal Baltyuor and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin.

The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence.

The partnership will launch key initiatives starting in 2026, including developing Saudi talent and expanding international collaboration through professional networking and knowledge exchange, and establishing an annual program at the Culture Square in Historic Jeddah featuring Annecy Festival works, workshops, and family events.

The initiatives also include the implementation of training workshops and exchange programs in collaboration with CITIA's network.


Seminar Highlights Saudi Sports as Medium for Global Cultural and Media Exchange

The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
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Seminar Highlights Saudi Sports as Medium for Global Cultural and Media Exchange

The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA
The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA

The Jeddah International Book Fair 2025 hosted a seminar on the role of sports as a medium for cultural and media exchange, highlighting the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017, driven by official support that has attracted global talents.

By attracting global stars, Saudi Arabia is building new communication bridges worldwide, establishing Saudi sports as a key destination for millions of international viewers. This movement confirms the Kingdom's growing presence as a global cultural and sports destination.

The Jeddah International Book Fair serves as a prominent platform supporting this intellectual and cultural exchange.