Saudi Arabia: KACCC Announces Winners of Cultural Communication Award

KACCC announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Cultural Communication Award during a news conference held in Riyadh. SPA
KACCC announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Cultural Communication Award during a news conference held in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: KACCC Announces Winners of Cultural Communication Award

KACCC announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Cultural Communication Award during a news conference held in Riyadh. SPA
KACCC announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Cultural Communication Award during a news conference held in Riyadh. SPA

The King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication (KACCC) announced the winners of the fourth edition of the Cultural Communication Award during a news conference held at the center’s Riyadh headquarters in the presence of KACCC Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Fawzan, his deputy Ibrahim Al-Asiri and representatives from various media outlets.

Al-Fawzan stated that media and cultural contacts are among the most important pillars of communication between peoples of different civilizations. He underscored the pivotal role of media in conveying ideas, facilitating cultural exchange, and aiding societies in mutual understanding and acquaintance.
This year's Cultural Communication Award witnessed an increase in engagement, with 234 participants in the five award categories.

In the government institutions category, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones "MODON" and the Taibah University emerged as winners with their initiatives about "cultural communication cities" and "ambassadors of moderation," respectively.

Meanwhile, Scientist’s Gift Organization’s initiative dubbed “the Saudi Cultural Day” won in the civil-society institutions category. The award for the non-profit international organizations and institutions category went to the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States for its initiative about "a reference guide to raising students' awareness of the values of tolerance and acceptance of others."

As for the private-sector institutions branch, Alfaisal University won with the culture day, people for people, and Noor for the visually impaired initiatives. In the individuals category, Dr. Sultan bin Suleiman Al-Anzi won with an initiative about rapid progress towards bright and just education.



Egyptian Archaeologist Calls on Berlin to Return Nefertiti Bust

The bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
The bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Egyptian Archaeologist Calls on Berlin to Return Nefertiti Bust

The bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
The bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Prominent Egyptian archaeologist and former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass has launched a petition for the return to Egypt of the pharaonic bust of Queen Nefertiti from the Neues Museum in Berlin.

Nefertiti's famous painted limestone bust was uncovered at Tell el-Amarna, around 300 km (185 miles) south of Cairo, in 1912 by a German archaeological mission, which shipped it to Berlin the following year.

Amarna was the short-lived capital of Nefertiti's husband, the 18th dynasty Pharaoh Akhenaten, who reigned until about 1335 B.C.

Akhenaten, called the heretic king, was notorious for promoting the worship of the god Aten to the exclusion of Egypt's other gods. His reign also introduced a radical change in Egyptian art.

In his petition launched on Saturday, Hawass asked for the return of the bust, saying it was removed from Egypt illegally after its discovery, Reuters reported.

"We announce today that Egypt - this is the national committee, it is not a government committee - asks for the return of the bust of Nefertiti," Hawass said.

"What I need from everyone here is to go to my website... hawasszahi.com, and you will sign, one signature, to show that you would love for this bust to come back."

Hawass said he is not calling for the repatriation of artefacts taken out of Egypt legally. His campaign is focused on repatriating "three main beautiful objects" including the bust of Nefertiti, the Rosetta Stone and the Dendera Zodiac.