Madinah Invites Visitors and Pilgrims to Explore Its Rich History, Landmarks

"Visit Madinah" offers a wealth of information to enrich visitors' stays. (SPA)
"Visit Madinah" offers a wealth of information to enrich visitors' stays. (SPA)
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Madinah Invites Visitors and Pilgrims to Explore Its Rich History, Landmarks

"Visit Madinah" offers a wealth of information to enrich visitors' stays. (SPA)
"Visit Madinah" offers a wealth of information to enrich visitors' stays. (SPA)

The Madinah Region Development Authority in Saudi Arabia invited visitors and pilgrims who have completed their Hajj rituals to explore the city's rich history and landmarks and experience a variety of enjoyable activities in the city of Madinah.
The official tourism platform "Visit Madinah," launched by Madinah Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, offers a wealth of information to enrich visitors' stays, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.
Accessible in multiple languages, “Visit Madinah” aims to introduce the city as a key heritage and modern landmark through detailed information.
Presented in an attractive and innovative way, the platform aims to be a reliable digital companion for visitors, enhancing their experience and contributing to the city's development goals outlined in Vision 2030.



Van Gogh Painting Falls Short of Expectations in Hong Kong Auction

A visitor looks closely at 'Les canots amarres' by Vincent van Gogh at Christie's new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. Peter PARKS / AFP
A visitor looks closely at 'Les canots amarres' by Vincent van Gogh at Christie's new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. Peter PARKS / AFP
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Van Gogh Painting Falls Short of Expectations in Hong Kong Auction

A visitor looks closely at 'Les canots amarres' by Vincent van Gogh at Christie's new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. Peter PARKS / AFP
A visitor looks closely at 'Les canots amarres' by Vincent van Gogh at Christie's new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. Peter PARKS / AFP

A Vincent van Gogh painting displaying the artist's shift from dark realism to vibrant impressionism sold for US$32.2 million at a Hong Kong auction on Thursday, falling short of expectations that it would fetch a record-breaking price.
"Les canots amarres" -- or "the moored boats" -- was the centerpiece of an inaugural evening sale held to celebrate the opening of auction house Christie's new Asia Pacific headquarters.
According to Christie's, it was expected to fetch HK$230-380 million (US$30-50 million) on the auction floor, AFP reported.
If bidding had reached the higher end of the estimated value, it could have surpassed Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Warrior" -- which went for HK$323.6 million in 2021 -- as the most expensive Western painting sold in Asia.

But the hammer of auctioneer Adrien Meyer fell Thursday at HK$250 million.
Cristian Albu, deputy chairman and head of 20th/21st century art at Christie's Asia Pacific, said the price was the "record of a Van Gogh in Asia.”
The auction house was "cautious" with its lineup on Thursday in hopes of boosting market confidence, added Ada Tsui, head of evening sale and specialist for 20th/21st century art.
Owned by the Italian royal family of Bourbon Two Sicilies, the Van Gogh painting is "the most important painting by the artist ever to be offered in Asia,” Christie's said in its introduction.
"'Les canots amarres' marks a vital stepping stone in his career," it said.
The painting is one of about 40 works Van Gogh developed around the scenic French town of Asnieres, a boating hub on the outskirts of Paris, during the summer of 1887.