Chicago's Iconic 'Bean' Sculpture Reopens to Tourists

Visitors take photos of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture, also known as the "bean," at Millennium Park, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Visitors take photos of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture, also known as the "bean," at Millennium Park, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
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Chicago's Iconic 'Bean' Sculpture Reopens to Tourists

Visitors take photos of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture, also known as the "bean," at Millennium Park, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Visitors take photos of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture, also known as the "bean," at Millennium Park, Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

One of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions known as “The Bean” reopened to the public Sunday after nearly a year of renovations and construction.
Construction started in August last year, and fencing around the iconic sculpture limited closeup access to visitors. The work on the plaza surrounding the sculpture included new stairs, accessible ramps and a waterproofing system, according to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The bean-shaped sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is formally known as “Cloud Gate” and weighs 110 tons (99.8 metric tons).
It’s a busy tourist hub near Michigan Avenue, particularly for selfies with its reflective surface inspired by liquid mercury. Views of skyscrapers and crowds are reflected on the Millenium Park sculpture.
“Visitors can once again have full access to Chicago’s iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor,” city officials said in a Sunday statement. “Come back and get your #selfie!”

One of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions known as “The Bean” reopened to the public Sunday after nearly a year of renovations and construction.
Construction started in August last year, and fencing around the iconic sculpture limited closeup access to visitors. The work on the plaza surrounding the sculpture included new stairs, accessible ramps and a waterproofing system, according to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The bean-shaped sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is formally known as “Cloud Gate” and weighs 110 tons (99.8 metric tons).
It’s a busy tourist hub near Michigan Avenue, particularly for selfies with its reflective surface inspired by liquid mercury. Views of skyscrapers and crowds are reflected on the Millenium Park sculpture.
“Visitors can once again have full access to Chicago’s iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor,” city officials said in a Sunday statement. “Come back and get your #selfie!”



King Saud University Hosts 5th Int’l Conference on Camels in Arab Culture

The three-day conference will address several key topics, including camels and cultural heritage. SPA
The three-day conference will address several key topics, including camels and cultural heritage. SPA
TT

King Saud University Hosts 5th Int’l Conference on Camels in Arab Culture

The three-day conference will address several key topics, including camels and cultural heritage. SPA
The three-day conference will address several key topics, including camels and cultural heritage. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s King Saud University, in collaboration with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, will host the 5th International Conference on Camels in Arab Culture next Tuesday.

The event will bring together 37 researchers from Saudi Arabia and abroad, aiming to advance literary and linguistic studies on camels and their pivotal role in Arab culture.

The three-day conference will address several key topics, including camels and cultural heritage, camels in language, lexicons, and cultural/national identity, as well as the economic importance of camels in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Particular attention will be given to investment, industry, tourism, entertainment, festivals, and camel sports and racing.

The 5th edition of the conference seeks to enhance academic discourse and strengthen local and Arab cultural identity, underscoring the cultural significance of camels in Arab life.