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Saudi Arabia’s ‘Maghras’ Pavilion Showcases Agricultural Heritage at Milan Triennale

The Kingdom’s pavilion, titled “Maghras: a Farm for Experimentation,” focuses on the Al-Ahsa Oasis. SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, titled “Maghras: a Farm for Experimentation,” focuses on the Al-Ahsa Oasis. SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s ‘Maghras’ Pavilion Showcases Agricultural Heritage at Milan Triennale

The Kingdom’s pavilion, titled “Maghras: a Farm for Experimentation,” focuses on the Al-Ahsa Oasis. SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, titled “Maghras: a Farm for Experimentation,” focuses on the Al-Ahsa Oasis. SPA

Saudi Arabia will participate for the first time in the 24th edition of the Milan Triennale, running from May 13 to November 9 in Italy.

The Kingdom’s pavilion, titled “Maghras: a Farm for Experimentation,” focuses on the Al-Ahsa Oasis and highlights the significant transformations occurring in its rural agricultural landscape.

Al-Ahsa, with its rich history, is undergoing rapid changes amid global urban and environmental challenges. The pavilion explores the intersection of agricultural cultural heritage, traditional practices, and community narratives against the backdrop of these evolving transformations.
Led by the Ministry of Culture, the Maghras pavilion features a farm and community space where activities and dialogues converge. The project draws on extensive research and offers diverse programs, initiatives, and artistic experiences to engage various societal segments. Local artists, architects, researchers, and residents—along with the farming and artisan communities—contributed to the project, which includes artistic performances, field discussions, and workshops.
The research explores the deep connections between culture and agriculture, symbolized by the concept of Maghras—a traditional unit of measurement for land surrounded by four palm trees.

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Culture

Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
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Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded, SPA reported.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.

Culture

Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
TT
TT

Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.

Culture

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s authentic architectural identity.

One of its recent projects is the comprehensive renovation of Al-Qibli Mosque in the old neighborhood of Manfuha in Riyadh. The restoration reflects traditional Najdi architecture and highlights the mosque’s connection to the town’s administrative and social history, SPA reported.

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace. It was historically the closest mosque to the town’s seat of government and was frequented by princes and prominent figures. The mosque spans approximately 500 square meters. It includes an outer courtyard, an inner prayer hall, and a lower prayer room of equal size that dates back to the original construction. Square, plaster-lined windows on the north and south sides provide natural ventilation.

These were added during the mosque’s second reconstruction around 1364 AH (1945 AD).

The covered inner prayer hall measures 15 by 8 meters and rests on 33 columns arranged in three rows. It was built by architect Abdullah bin Masoud upon the order of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman. The roof is constructed using tamarisk and palm trunks, and a minaret stands at the center of the northern façade. Following earlier renovations in 1414 AH (1993 AD), the mosque remains the last mud-brick mosque in old Manfuha.

According to SPA, its design creates a visual connection between the courtyard and the inner hall, alongside a secluded lower prayer room. The site also includes the historic water fountain of Faris bin Abdullah bin Shaalan, who died in 1175 AH (1762 AD), and an old ablution area.

The current renovation uses the same local materials as the original construction, including mud, plaster, tamarisk wood, and palm fronds. Specialized Saudi heritage companies and engineers are overseeing the work to ensure preservation of historical authenticity while meeting modern sustainability standards.

The restoration aligns with the project’s four objectives: preparing historical mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural dimension, and enhancing religious significance. The project supports the cultural and civilizational goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s architectural heritage for future generations.