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Saudi Arabia Concludes Guest of Honor Role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Concludes Guest of Honor Role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission concluded the Kingdom’s Guest of Honor participation at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, held in the Syrian capital from February 6 to 16, drawing strong attendance and engagement from visitors and cultural enthusiasts.

The Kingdom's pavilion was highly praised for its rich cultural content and high-quality programs, reflecting the vitality and growth of the Kingdom’s literary and cultural scene, SPA reported.

Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif Abdulaziz Al-Wasel stated that the Kingdom’s role as Guest of Honor at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, represented by a high-level cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, highlights the depth of Saudi-Syrian cultural relations based on partnership and mutual respect.

He noted that the participation demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing cultural exchange, a key objective of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. Through this strategy, the commission emphasizes fostering constructive dialogue among peoples, exchanging knowledge and expertise, and consolidating the Kingdom’s active role in the Arab and international cultural landscape.

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities. It showcased the commission’s programs and initiatives in literature, publishing, and translation, and featured a comprehensive cultural program, including literary seminars, cultural discussions, and poetry evenings with prominent Saudi writers and intellectuals.

These efforts enriched cultural dialogue with fair visitors and strengthened the presence of Saudi literature in the Arab cultural scene.

This edition of the Damascus International Book Fair marks a significant cultural milestone, reaffirming the value of books as carriers of meaning, spaces for dialogue, and starting points for a cultural journey that reflects the aspirations of the Arab cultural landscape toward a more open and aware phase.

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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.