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Saudi Arabia, India Sign MoU to Strengthen Cultural Exchange

The ministers sign the MoU in Riyadh. (SPA)
The ministers sign the MoU in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, India Sign MoU to Strengthen Cultural Exchange

The ministers sign the MoU in Riyadh. (SPA)
The ministers sign the MoU in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan held talks on Sunday with his Indian counterpart Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is visiting Saudi Arabia to participate in the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, held in Riyadh.

The ministers discussed the strong cultural relations between the Kingdom and India and explored ways to boost cooperation in the cultural sector.

They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and cultural exchange across a wide range of fields, including heritage, museums, theater and performing arts, film, fashion, music, culinary arts, visual arts, architecture and design, libraries, literature, publishing and translation, traditional arts and crafts, and Arabic language education.

The MoU also includes provisions for the exchange of expertise in projects related to heritage preservation, as well as participation in cultural festivals and events in both countries.

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Culture

Louvre Museum Says Shutting for the Day Due to Strike

People walk next to the Louvre Museum covered in snow in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
People walk next to the Louvre Museum covered in snow in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
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Louvre Museum Says Shutting for the Day Due to Strike

People walk next to the Louvre Museum covered in snow in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. (EPA)
People walk next to the Louvre Museum covered in snow in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. (EPA)

The Louvre Museum was forced to close on Monday due to strike action from staff in the latest disruption at the world's most-visited museum, management said.

"Due to public strikes, the Musee du Louvre is closed today," the museum said in a message posted on its website, informing disappointed tourists and art lovers that their entry tickets would be automatically reimbursed.

The museum closed for a full day last month and has been only partially open on several other days since.

Nearly three months after an embarrassing daylight heist, which has heaped pressure on Louvre bosses, staff are calling for more recruitment and better maintenance of the vast former royal palace.

Questions continue to swirl since the October 19 break-in over whether it was avoidable and why thieves were able to steal crown jewels worth more than $100 million.

Two intruders used a truck-mounted extendable platform to access a gallery containing the jewels, slicing through a glass door with disk-cutters in front of startled visitors before stealing eight priceless items.

As well as the robbery, two other recent incidents have highlighted maintenance problems inside the building, which chief architect Francois Chatillon has described as "not in a good state".

A water leak in November damaged hundreds of books and manuscripts in the Egyptian department, while management had to shut a gallery housing ancient Greek ceramics in October because ceiling beams above it risked giving way.

Culture

20-Year-Olds Gathering in Kimonos for Coming of Age Day Ceremony in Japan

Kimono-clad Japanese young women take pictures after attending a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Kimono-clad Japanese young women take pictures after attending a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
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20-Year-Olds Gathering in Kimonos for Coming of Age Day Ceremony in Japan

Kimono-clad Japanese young women take pictures after attending a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Kimono-clad Japanese young women take pictures after attending a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Young women in brightly colored long-sleeved kimonos and young men in formal suits or traditional hakama and haori gathered Monday at Yokohama Arena to mark Coming-of-Age Day, an annual celebration for those who have turned 20.

The ceremonies, which are a widely observed public rite of passage in Japan, lasted less than an hour. Before and after the events, young adults gathered near the arena entrance, sidewalks and nearby train stations, greeting friends they had not seen for a long time. Smartphones were raised repeatedly as participants took pictures of each other and themselves.

Among the many participants wearing black and navy suits, a large number of young men chose traditional hakama trousers and haori jackets.

Legally, adulthood in Japan now begins at 18, following a revision of the Civil Code in April 2022. Even so, most local governments continue to hold Coming-of-Age ceremonies for 20-year-olds.

Inside Yokohama Arena, participants stood for the national anthem, then sang Yokohama’s city song together. Many then switched on the lights of their mobile phones, illuminating the hall.

Culture

Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture

Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture
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Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture

Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture

The Saudi pavilion at Global Village in Makkah, part of the Makkah winter season, reflects the richness and uniqueness of the Kingdom's culture and heritage.

It features interactive and engaging sections that introduce visitors to the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, including live demonstrations of traditional handicrafts and artwork inspired by the local environment, SPA reported.

The pavilion’s presence at Global Village reflects ongoing efforts to highlight the nation’s cultural heritage, promote its civilizational legacy, and strengthen its cultural presence at major events.