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Saudi Arabia’s Madinah Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Gastronomy

The achievement is the culmination of integrated national efforts led by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with multiple Saudi entities. (SPA)
The achievement is the culmination of integrated national efforts led by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with multiple Saudi entities. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Madinah Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Gastronomy

The achievement is the culmination of integrated national efforts led by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with multiple Saudi entities. (SPA)
The achievement is the culmination of integrated national efforts led by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with multiple Saudi entities. (SPA)

UNESCO announced on Friday the inclusion of Madinah in its Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy, officially making it the second city in Saudi Arabia after Buraidah to earn this designation and confirming its growing status as a global hub for culinary excellence.

The achievement is the culmination of integrated national efforts led by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with multiple Saudi entities. Key partners in preparing the nomination file included the Madinah Region Principality, the Al Madinah Region Development Authority, the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Madinah Region Municipality.

The strong collaboration with local businesses specializing in the culinary arts ensured the comprehensive file met all of UNESCO's rigorous requirements and criteria.

Madinah, which attracts millions of visitors annually, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage. Situated on vital trade and pilgrimage routes, the city is a hub of regional cultural and commercial diversity.

Its distinct food culture is deeply rooted in its history, fertile volcanic soil, and diverse influences from various civilizations, resulting in a unique tapestry of flavors and gastronomic traditions.

This international recognition is a significant milestone for Madinah's future, placing it on the map of global culinary excellence and enhancing its international presence in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to solidify the Kingdom's global leadership.

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Culture

UK's Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition Set to Wow Visitors with Battle Scenes, Scale

The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP)
The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP)
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UK's Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition Set to Wow Visitors with Battle Scenes, Scale

The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP)
The 70-meter-long Bayeux Tapestry is displayed during a press preview at the British Museum in London after returning to England, following a historic agreement between the UK and France, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (AP)

Visitors to the sell-out Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition should be ready for the "brutal reality" of battle scenes and expect to be astonished by the scale of the 1,000-year-old embroidery, as excitement mounts ahead of the London show's opening on Thursday.

King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron were among the first viewers at the British Museum last week, where the monarch celebrated ‌the artwork ‌that depicts the conquest of England by his ancestor ‌William ⁠I in 1066.

Thought ⁠to have been stitched in Kent, southern England, the tapestry was subsequently taken across the Channel and is being shown outside France for the first time, generating a wave of interest in its significance to English history.

Millie Horton-Insch, a curator of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, told Reuters on Monday that its 70-meter (230-foot) length would stun visitors.

"No matter how many times ⁠I see it, I'm still blown away by its ‌size," she said.

The tapestry recounts ‌the events leading up to the famous Battle of Hastings and the subsequent ‌Norman defeat of Anglo-Saxon King Harold II.

"We see an incredible battle that ‌really doesn't shy away from the brutal reality of medieval warfare and how devastating it was for both sides," the curator added.

Initial tickets for the nine-month show sold out within hours, generating sales of £2.5 million and making it ‌the museum's best-selling exhibition. Another batch of tickets will go on sale in October.

William's conquest was the last ⁠time England was successfully ⁠invaded, and 1066 remains the most famous year in the nation's history.

The loan from France is seen as a sign of closer ties between the countries after the discord caused by the 2016 Brexit vote, and Macron talked of the unifying role of art to show "what humanity is capable of creating".

Horton-Insch said that it was difficult for a modern audience to comprehend the thousands of hours it would have taken the English seamstresses to weave it, including spinning the wool thread and mastering the natural dyes.

The Bayeux Tapestry arrived in Britain in July having travelled in an air-conditioned, anti-vibration crate under police escort from France.

"It seems to have borne the journey incredibly well," Horton-Insch said.

Culture

Makkah Advances Preservation and Development of Historical and Cultural Sites

Visitors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026 - SPA
Visitors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026 - SPA
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Makkah Advances Preservation and Development of Historical and Cultural Sites

Visitors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026 - SPA
Visitors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026 - SPA

The historical and cultural sites of Makkah bear witness to the city’s rich history, encompassing places associated with events from the life of the Prophet and Islamic history, as well as roads, markets, wells, inscriptions, and landmarks that have shaped the city's identity over the centuries.

With growing attention to these sites, a comprehensive system is now in place to preserve, study, and rehabilitate them, while presenting them in an accessible manner that enables visitors to learn their stories and appreciate their significance, SPA reported.

This approach builds on the strategy for historical and cultural sites in Makkah, which seeks to establish an integrated system covering documentation, protection, rehabilitation, experience development, partnership activation, and enhanced site readiness and sustainability.

Under the strategy, 65 development studies have been conducted, 56 sites documented, 32 rehabilitated, and 23 enhanced, with 28 sites now open to visitors.

Visitors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026, up 47% from 3.6 million during the same period in 2025. Visitor satisfaction reached 95.8%.

Since the strategy’s launch, total visits to historical and cultural sites have exceeded 19 million, reflecting not only increased visitation but also the expansion of the network of sites and experiences, improved access, and the transition of more sites from study and preservation to visitation and engagement.

Makkah’s historical and cultural sites thus remain an integral part of the city’s story: a heritage to be preserved, landmarks to be explored, and experiences that offer visitors a deeper understanding of Makkah and its history.

Culture

Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Foundation Showcases Publications at Moscow Book Fair

King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) logo
King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) logo
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Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Foundation Showcases Publications at Moscow Book Fair

King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) logo
King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) logo

The King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) is participating in the Moscow International Book Fair 2026, which began Wednesday in the Russian capital, as part of the Saudi pavilion.

Darah has a dedicated section featuring its publications and scientific and cultural projects, highlighting its efforts to promote the Kingdom's history, heritage, and culture.

The section also provides an opportunity to connect with academics, researchers, and others interested in historical and cultural affairs from various countries.

The section has attracted visitors interested in the Kingdom's history, heritage, and culture, as well as Darah's specialized publications on history, studies, sources, and cultural heritage.

Darah's participation reflects its efforts to promote the Kingdom's history, heritage, and culture internationally and strengthen its presence at cultural events. It also helps build connections with researchers and others interested in Saudi history and culture.