Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
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Iraq Exhibits Ancient Artifacts Returned by US and other Countries

Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL
Employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs check the recovered antiquities put on display at the ministry of foreign affairs in Baghdad, Iraq, 08 July 2024. EPA/AHMED JALIL

Iraq on Monday exhibited several ancient artifacts that it said had been returned by the United States and other countries, long after they were looted and smuggled out following the 2003 US invasion.
Iraqi authorities have been trying to retrieve thousands of archaeological relics missing since the invasion, which was followed by widespread looting in the country that some historians regard as the cradle of civilization, Reuters said.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein handed the recently recovered relics over to Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed al-Badrani at a ceremony in Baghdad.
Most of the artifacts on display at the foreign ministry headquarters were returned by the US after a visit by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Washington in April, Badrani said.
He said other relics had been returned by other states, but gave no details.
Hussein said more "rare archeological collections" would be returned by Switzerland and Japan this month.



Vibes AlUla Opens Registration for AlUla Rowad Camp for Artisans

Vibes AlUla Opens Registration for AlUla Rowad Camp for Artisans
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Vibes AlUla Opens Registration for AlUla Rowad Camp for Artisans

Vibes AlUla Opens Registration for AlUla Rowad Camp for Artisans

Vibes AlUla has opened registration for its AlUla Rowad Camp, tailored for artisans and creatives in the fields of arts and handicrafts, SPA reported. The announcement came in conjunction with the Year of Handicrafts 2025, which aims to highlight the national craft heritage and boost its role in economic and cultural development.
Held in AlUla Governorate from April 13 to 21, the boot camp offers participants an intensive training program led by experts. It aims to empower artisans to transform their creative skills into sustainable entrepreneurial ventures. The camp presents a valuable opportunity to refine skills, build professional networks, and confidently enter the labor market with enhanced expertise and a clear vision.
Vibes AlUla, an entrepreneurial platform established in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, empowers the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem through consultations, training, and specialized services, as well as joint workspaces. It also seeks to inspire and support entrepreneurs in building sustainable ventures by connecting them with national networks.