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US Returns to Iran Latest Batch of Ancient Clay Tablets

Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
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US Returns to Iran Latest Batch of Ancient Clay Tablets

Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP

The United States has returned to Iran more than 1,000 clay tablets dating from the Achaemenid-era, official media said, reporting the sixth such handover of its kind.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said Thursday evening that the tablets, 1,100 in all, were returned with President Masoud Pezeshkian who had attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Found at the ruins of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire which ruled from the 6th to 4th centuries BC in southern Iran, the repatriated tablets reflect how the ancient society was organised and its economy managed.

According to AFP, the tablets constitute records of "the rituals and the way of life of our ancestors", said Ali Darabi, vice-minister of cultural heritage, cited by IRNA.

The tablets were returned to Iran by the University of Chicago's Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa, formerly known as the Oriental Institute.

A large portion of the tablets were returned in three batches between 1948 and 2004 before the rest were blocked by legal action until 2018.

More than 3,500 tablets were repatriated in September, 2023.

"The American side undertook to return the rest," Darabi said, cited by Iran's ISNA news agency.

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Culture

Jeddah Book Fair Highlights World Arabic Language Day with Discussion on Literature’s Global Reach

The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission
The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission
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Jeddah Book Fair Highlights World Arabic Language Day with Discussion on Literature’s Global Reach

The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission
The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission

As part of its World Arabic Language Day celebration, the Jeddah Book Fair 2025 has organized a panel discussion on expanding Arabic literature’s global reach.

The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. Several female academics and other literature enthusiasts took part.

The panel discussed the concept of world literature and its relationship to comparative literature, stressing that opening Arabic texts to the world’s literature requires moving beyond local geographic boundaries and engaging in wider circles of reception and circulation.

The discussion also highlighted the key role of the press and media in conveying literary texts and reaching global readers, while praising Saudi efforts to internationalize Arabic literature through clear plans and strategies as a sustainable institutional approach.

The panel is part of the commission’s efforts to mark global occasions linked to Arabic literature and culture within an integrated cultural program offered by the Jeddah Book Fair, which continues to welcome visitors until December 20, with Saudi and Arab publishing houses showcasing the latest literary releases.

Culture

'Children’s Literary Week' Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia's Qatif

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
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'Children’s Literary Week' Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia's Qatif

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA
The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched Children’s Literary Week in Qatif Governorate.

The four-day event aims to enhance the presence of literature in the lives of children and adolescents and to develop their creative skills through an integrated cultural experience, SPA reported.

The activities offer a diverse program that includes creative writing workshops, storytelling theater, and interactive sessions designed to transform reading into an enjoyable experience and a journey of discovery.

The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation, SPA said.

The program also provides children and adolescents with practical spaces to engage with literary texts and develop their storytelling and imaginative skills through initiatives that combine learning and entertainment, supporting the early discovery and nurturing of literary talents.

Culture

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL
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Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), has launched the "SIDF Terminology Dictionary", an initiative aimed at enhancing the clarity and precision of the terms used in SIDF's operations and ensuring their alignment with applicable systems and policies. This launch coincides with the World Arabic Language Day, in celebration of the Arabic language and its role in expressing concepts of industry and development.

According to a statement issued by the SIDF on Thursday, the first edition of the dictionary includes more than 170 terms and definitions in both Arabic and English, covering financial, industrial, advisory, legal, and knowledge-related fields. It also features a dedicated section for abbreviations and the linguistic roots of selected words, enriching Arabic content with specialized terminology and strengthening its linguistic and knowledge value.

The dictionary aims to broaden understanding of SIDF's terminology among those interested in its activities while serving as an official reference for both internal and external audiences. It also targets researchers, partners, clients, and professionals engaged with SIDF, providing a unified knowledge tool that enhances effective communication and standardizes language use across diverse and varied contexts.

The statement added that the dictionary features an interactive design that allows readers to easily access information, browse terms, and search for definitions in a clear and seamless manner. It is available through SIDF website via the following link: (https://bit.ly/SIDF_Dictionary), where SIDF will continue to develop and update its content to reflect ongoing changes, advancements, and transformations in the industrial sector.