Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition Reflects Kingdom's Dedication to Preserve Cultural Heritage

This exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to make its rich historical and intellectual heritage accessible to the public. SPA
This exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to make its rich historical and intellectual heritage accessible to the public. SPA
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Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition Reflects Kingdom's Dedication to Preserve Cultural Heritage

This exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to make its rich historical and intellectual heritage accessible to the public. SPA
This exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to make its rich historical and intellectual heritage accessible to the public. SPA

The Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition, organized by the Saudi Libraries Commission, highlights the Kingdom's dedication to preserving its cultural and human heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Using advanced hologram techniques, the exhibition showcases manuscripts dating back more than 1,200 years, SPA said.
The exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, immersing them in a rich cultural and civilizational legacy that spans centuries of knowledge and human development. It features manuscripts preserved by Saudi institutions, representing a documented cultural heritage of over twelve centuries. Notably, several unique pieces are being displayed for the first time.
Among the exhibition's highlights is The Title of Glory in the History of Najd, a manuscript over 100 years old, preserved by the King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh. Another featured piece, Explanation of the Chapters of Hippocrates, is presented through hologram technology, allowing visitors to explore its chapters interactively and learn about its significant content.
This exhibition underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to make its rich historical and intellectual heritage accessible to the public while employing cutting-edge technology to enhance engagement and understanding.



Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art
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Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company Awards $490 Million Construction Contract for Iconic Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art

Diriyah Company has awarded a $490 million construction contract for the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), in Diriyah.

The contract has been awarded to a joint venture between Hassan Allam Construction Saudi L.L.C., and Albawani Company Ltd., reflecting Diriyah Company’s ambition to develop a major cultural destination that attracts visitors and supports long-term growth.

SAMoCA is a flagship project by the Museums Commission. It aims to document, research, exhibit, and champion Saudi modern and contemporary art practices. The museum will serve as a premier center of artistic exploration, deepening understanding and appreciation of Saudi modern and contemporary art, while supporting Saudi artists across generations to imagine and shape the Kingdom’s creative possibilities, SPA reported.

The museum, designed by Godwin Austen Johnson, one of the Gulf’s most established UK-based firms, with multidisciplinary support from Rafaat Miller Consulting, has a gross floor area of 45,252 sqm and a total built-up area of 77,428 sqm. Notably, SAMoCA has recently achieved Mostadam Gold sustainability certification at both the design and construction stages.

The new museum at Diriyah will serve as the flagship home of SAMoCA, while SAMOCA at JAX Center continues to operate as a dynamic exhibition space in Riyadh’s creative district.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Diriyah Company Jerry Inzerillo said: “The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art will provide Saudi and international artists with a truly world-class platform – one that invites global voices to engage with the Kingdom as it is today.

This iconic asset will further elevate Diriyah’s reputation as the Kingdom’s capital of culture – and underscores our unwavering commitment to developing a vibrant city that serves our community, and the nation at large.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Museums Commission Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Hammad added: “The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art will be the epicenter of Saudi modern and contemporary art. Set against the historic legacy of Diriyah, it is designed to document and champion generations of Saudi artists, from pioneers to emerging voices, while inviting international dialogue into that story. We are committed to ensuring this dynamic platform remains accessible and inspiring for all.”

Diriyah, the $63.2 billion integrated urban development, has now awarded over $29 billion in construction contracts. Once complete, it will contribute approximately $18.6 billion directly to the Kingdom’s GDP, create more than 180,000 jobs, will be home to an estimated 100,000 people and welcome 50 million annual visits.

It will also include museums, shopping districts, a university, the Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah Arena, a variety of food and beverage outlets, and nearly 40 world-class resorts and hotels spanning its two main masterplans.


Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
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Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA

Yusr prayer beads shine at the Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah as one of the top handicraft pieces, combining spiritual depth and aesthetic richness, reflecting the extension of local maritime heritage and its creative transformations.

These beads are traditionally made from “yusr,” a rare type of black coral associated with Red Sea crafts, distinguished by its dark color and polished luster. Some pieces are inlaid with silver or amber, demonstrating the precision of craftsmanship and the continuity of artisanal skill across generations, SPA reported.

These handicrafts draw the attention of visitors in the museum’s halls with their fine details as artistic works inspired by elements of the marine environment and reimagined in contemporary creative forms.

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts, historically associated with Hajj and Umrah journeys, serving as tokens of affection carried by visitors to their families and friends.

The Red Sea Museum continues to offer an integrated cultural experience through its exhibits that showcase the richness of the Kingdom’s maritime heritage and contribute to promoting cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange.

This is part of ongoing efforts to revive Historic Jeddah and reinforce its status as a global cultural destination, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, reflecting a national commitment to preserving heritage and enriching the cultural landscape.


Red Sea Museum Hosts Contemporary Art Exhibition to Showcase Marine Biodiversity

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
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Red Sea Museum Hosts Contemporary Art Exhibition to Showcase Marine Biodiversity

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA
The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures - SPA

The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah is hosting a contemporary artistic exhibition that explores the Red Sea’s marine richness by connecting its geological origins, dating back to the Eocene epoch, with natural history and artistic expression.

Through a series of sculptures and installations, the exhibition showcases the region's vast biodiversity, from microorganisms to large mammals, SPA reported.

The works emphasize the Red Sea’s resilient coral reefs, thriving in warm, high-salinity waters, while delivering powerful environmental messages on the urgency of reef protection and ecological sustainability.

The collection features diverse media, including rare black coral crafts and textiles that evoke underwater textures.

These pieces complement the museum’s permanent collection of over 1,000 artifacts, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its cultural and environmental heritage through modern, immersive displays.