Saudi Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with ESSEC Business School for Riyadh University of Arts

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
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Saudi Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with ESSEC Business School for Riyadh University of Arts

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture signed on Sunday a partnership with ESSEC Business School, for Riyadh University of Arts (RUA)’s College of Cultural Management, to nurture creative talent and foster cross-cultural exchange, according to a statement issued by the ministry

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Deputy Minister for National Partnerships and Talent Development at the Culture Ministry Noha Kattan signed for Riyadh University of Arts, while Dean and President of the ESSEC Business School Vincenzo Vinzi signed on behalf of ESSEC Business School.

Under this partnership, ESSEC will collaborate with RUA to co-design and deliver specialized programs for the College of Cultural Management, equipping future leaders with the skills to shape the evolving cultural landscape.

Founded in 1907, ESSEC Business School is among Europe’s most prestigious institutions, recognized for its academic excellence, global reach, and commitment to innovation and ethical leadership. Its programs emphasize experiential learning and empower students to drive meaningful impact across industries.

Riyadh University of Arts will offer a progressive educational framework spanning all levels and disciplines within the arts and culture sectors, including short courses, diplomas, bachelor’s, higher diplomas, master’s, and doctoral programs.

Further details on RUA, its academic programs, and international partnerships will be available on its official website, set to launch in the first quarter of 2026.

The statement added that the partnership with ESSEC is part of a series of partnerships and MoUs between Riyadh University of Arts and top-tier international institutions, advancing academic excellence, research collaboration, and world-class cultural education.



Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA
The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA

The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Riyadh Education Department, will launch its 26th annual Free Reading Festival for public school students on Sunday.

Running from May 10 to 14 in Riyadh, the festival will bring together more than 100 schools, over 1,550 students, and a number of educators and teachers.

It aims to foster a love of reading and learning, expand students’ literary, scientific, and cultural horizons, and encourage teachers to promote independent reading. It will also provide a platform to showcase student talents and strengthen Arabic language skills.

Through initiatives like this festival, the King Abdulaziz Public Library promotes reading through diverse programs and a wide range of books that foster pride in the Kingdom’s heritage.


Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
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Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)
The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa, north of Qassim Region, stands as one of the oldest traditional weekly markets, enduring through changing times while maintaining its role as a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

The market draws a growing number of visitors from across Qassim and beyond, supported by the governorate’s strategic location.

During a field tour, the Saudi Press Agency observed lively activity throughout the market, with stalls displaying a diverse range of products. These include agricultural goods such as almonds and dried figs; animal products like ghee and milk, for which the region is renowned; as well as handicrafts and natural items such as henna and sidr.

Visitors noted that the market has retained its authentic character, continuing to serve as a vital source of income for small vendors and families working in the cottage industry, reinforcing its role as a key platform for preserving traditional culture while supporting the local rural economy.


Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
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Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA
The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA

Al-Nasb Heritage District in Abha is one of the most prominent living examples of traditional architecture in Aseer Region, preserving its long history and architectural details that embody people’s connection to their local environment and document the social and cultural patterns that have shaped the identity of the place across generations.

The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition, where mud and stone buildings stand side by side in visual harmony. They were built using local materials such as stone, clay, and juniper trunks, while the narrow alleyways and closely set buildings give the district a cohesive social character that reflects the spirit of past communities in the region and the close relationship between people and place.

The Heritage Commission has revived the district through an integrated restoration and rehabilitation project aimed at preserving its original elements and enhancing its sustainability, as part of national efforts to protect urban heritage and highlight it as a cultural and tourism asset, SPA reported.

The site is also distinguished by its natural setting, as the district overlooks the banks of Abha Valley and surrounding farms, giving it a distinctive visual and aesthetic dimension. Its narrow passageways and closely set buildings illustrate a traditional urban pattern that strengthens ties among residents and captures the nature of social life in that era.

The district is now a growing destination for culture and tourism in Abha, attracting visitors and heritage enthusiasts who come to explore the details of authentic architecture and learn about the traditional ways of life that have shaped Aseer Region’s identity across generations. The project helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving archaeological sites as a key pillar in forming national memory.

The project is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to protect and effectively manage cultural heritage, in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, which gives special attention to the cultural sector. It seeks to turn heritage sites into vibrant spaces that support cultural tourism and sustainable development while reconnecting society with its historical roots.