Spain Returns Artwork Seized During Civil War 

Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, gives a speech during a ceremony held by the Spanish government returning paintings to the family of Pedro Rico, former mayor of Madrid, stolen during the Spanish Civil War, at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2025. (Reuters) 
Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, gives a speech during a ceremony held by the Spanish government returning paintings to the family of Pedro Rico, former mayor of Madrid, stolen during the Spanish Civil War, at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2025. (Reuters) 
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Spain Returns Artwork Seized During Civil War 

Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, gives a speech during a ceremony held by the Spanish government returning paintings to the family of Pedro Rico, former mayor of Madrid, stolen during the Spanish Civil War, at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2025. (Reuters) 
Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, gives a speech during a ceremony held by the Spanish government returning paintings to the family of Pedro Rico, former mayor of Madrid, stolen during the Spanish Civil War, at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2025. (Reuters) 

Spain on Thursday returned paintings belonging to a former Madrid mayor that were seized for their protection during the 1936-39 Civil War and never returned under Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

The seven paintings had been kept in several museums throughout Spain, including the Prado Museum in Madrid, where the handover ceremony to the family of Pedro Rico, Madrid's mayor as the Civil War broke out, took place on Thursday evening.

In 2022, the Prado published a list of artworks that had been seized during the war and set up a research project to track down their legitimate owners.

The government has identified more than 6,000 items, including jewellery, ceramics and textiles, as well as some paintings, sculptures and furniture, which were safeguarded during the war by Republican forces fighting Franco's Nationalists and never returned by Francoist institutions when he came to power.

"It's a very important moment of justice and reparation that the Spanish government is doing for their families," said Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun.

The paintings returned to Rico's family nine decades later were mainly scenes of everyday life by 19th-century artists such as Eugenio Lucas and his son Lucas Villaamil.

Francisca Rico said she was very moved by the restitution of the paintings belonging to her grandfather, who was mayor between 1931-1934 and then in 1936 and who died in exile in France.

"(They're) finally doing what should have been done long ago," she said.



Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards

Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards
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Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards

Saudi Culture Ministry Launches 5th Edition of National Cultural Awards

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched the fifth edition of the National Cultural Awards, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to recognizing and honoring outstanding achievements in the Kingdom’s cultural sector.

Nominations for cultural sector awards will soon open to the public and the cultural community. Submissions will be accepted via the dedicated online platform. This will be followed by evaluation and judging processes later begins, culminating in the announcement of winners at the final ceremony.

According to the ministry, this annual initiative celebrates creative excellence and contributions across a wide range of cultural disciplines. Through a growing portfolio of awards, the program highlights both individual and institutional efforts that have helped shape and elevate the national cultural landscape.

For the 2025 edition, two new award categories have been introduced: the Handicrafts Award and the Cultural Media Award. The Handicrafts Award coincides with the ministry’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, spotlighting impactful contributions to traditional crafts, whether in production techniques or cultural knowledge. This category includes one international award that honors initiatives that improve livelihoods and create job opportunities, according to SPA.

The Cultural Media Award recognizes significant work by individuals or organizations in developing cultural discourse and showcasing the cultural sector through various media formats, including print, audio, and digital platforms. It also considers contributions such as literary reviews, cultural reporting, and consistent engagement with cultural events and movements.

These additions join a distinguished set of existing awards: five major prizes reviewed by specialized committees, alongside 11 others across a total of 16 cultural sub-sectors. Together, they reflect the ministry’s commitment to fostering creative talent and honoring cultural heritage.

The National Cultural Awards reflect the ministry’s commitment to supporting cultural production and honoring those enriching the Kingdom’s artistic and creative heritage.