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Saudi Music Commission Announces Strategic Partnership with 'Jazz in Jeddah' Platform

Jazz in Jeddah will be held next October in Historic Jeddah
Jazz in Jeddah will be held next October in Historic Jeddah
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Saudi Music Commission Announces Strategic Partnership with 'Jazz in Jeddah' Platform

Jazz in Jeddah will be held next October in Historic Jeddah
Jazz in Jeddah will be held next October in Historic Jeddah

The Music Commission announced on Tuesday a strategic partnership with Jazz in Jeddah, organized by Call of Culture.

The partnership builds on the memorandum of understanding signed between the two organizations to strengthen private sector collaboration, support the growth of Saudi Arabia’s music sector, and foster high-quality cultural and music initiatives.

Jazz in Jeddah is a national platform dedicated to developing emerging talent through jazz while celebrating Saudi musical heritage.

Through cultural exchange initiatives, partnerships with international festivals in more than 10 countries each year, and artist development programs, the platform expands opportunities for the next generation of Saudi musicians.

Taking place in October 2026 in Historic Jeddah, Jazz in Jeddah brings together musicians and audiences through distinctive events that celebrate jazz while creating opportunities for artistic exchange between Saudi and international musicians.

The platform also promotes cultural exchange between Saudi music and jazz through showcasing diverse musical styles and reflecting the continued growth of the Kingdom’s music landscape.

“Saudi audiences and musicians deserve a world-class stage,” said Mohammed Bakhreiba, founder of Jazz in Jeddah.

“This strategic partnership strengthens our ability to expand the presence of jazz while investing in Saudi artists and the Kingdom’s musical heritage.”

The partnership will also provide Saudi musicians with access to training, mentorship, and collaborative performance opportunities alongside international artists, supporting talent development and strengthening connections between local and global music communities.

CEO of the Music Commission Paul Pacifico said: “The music sector grows stronger when institutions and the private sector work together.”

He added that Jazz in Jeddah has built a meaningful connection with audiences and artists.

“This partnership enables us to create lasting opportunities that strengthen Saudi Arabia’s music landscape and advance its international cultural presence,” Pacifico said.

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Culture

Lebanon Returns 37 Artifacts Smuggled Out of Egypt

An artifact dating back to the Egyptian Pharaonic civilization, illegally smuggled out of Egypt, is displayed during a ceremony marking its handover to Egypt at the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 September 2026. (EPA)
An artifact dating back to the Egyptian Pharaonic civilization, illegally smuggled out of Egypt, is displayed during a ceremony marking its handover to Egypt at the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 September 2026. (EPA)
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Lebanon Returns 37 Artifacts Smuggled Out of Egypt

An artifact dating back to the Egyptian Pharaonic civilization, illegally smuggled out of Egypt, is displayed during a ceremony marking its handover to Egypt at the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 September 2026. (EPA)
An artifact dating back to the Egyptian Pharaonic civilization, illegally smuggled out of Egypt, is displayed during a ceremony marking its handover to Egypt at the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 September 2026. (EPA)

Lebanon on Wednesday returned to Egypt dozens of pharaonic artifacts that had been seized from the Beirut port years earlier.

"Thirty-seven antiquities... were seized from Beirut port in 2020, having arrived from an Arab port," Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh said during a handover ceremony at the Beirut national museum.

"After investigating the identity and ownership of these items, it was determined that they belonged to Egypt," he added.

Five of the items were on display at the ceremony, including masks made of fabric, wood and clay.

"Cooperation between states... contributes to preserving humanity's heritage," Egyptian ambassador Alaa Moussa said at the ceremony.

Laura Salloum, an official with Lebanon's directorate of antiquities, told AFP that at the time of their seizure, the items were stored in a single container.

They "had been purchased by a Lebanese national without any official documentation regarding their source -- namely, Egypt," she said.

Antiquities smuggling is common in Egypt. Over the past decade, Cairo has recovered nearly 30,000 archaeological artifacts, according to officials.

Culture

Cultural Sector Participates in UNESCO Global Forum on Ethics of AI in Riyadh

The cultural sector's participation in the forum underscores the Ministry of Culture's interest in technological developments - SPA
The cultural sector's participation in the forum underscores the Ministry of Culture's interest in technological developments - SPA
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Cultural Sector Participates in UNESCO Global Forum on Ethics of AI in Riyadh

The cultural sector's participation in the forum underscores the Ministry of Culture's interest in technological developments - SPA
The cultural sector's participation in the forum underscores the Ministry of Culture's interest in technological developments - SPA

The cultural sector is participating in the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Riyadh, taking part in panel discussions and workshops.

These sessions address cultural and linguistic diversity in AI, the ethical use of AI in museums, and the future of work in the field in the age of AI and digital technologies, SPA reported.

The forum brings together more than 100 international speakers and experts to discuss responsible governance frameworks and the ethical and safe development of emerging technologies, with a focus on issues including digital diplomacy, government readiness assessment, privacy, and the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity.

The cultural sector's participation in the forum underscores the Ministry of Culture's interest in technological developments, support for cultural innovation, and efforts to highlight AI-related cultural initiatives, products, and services.

It also provides a broad platform for exchanging expertise and experience with leading local and international experts and specialists.

Culture

Ithra Unveils 96th Saudi National Day Celebrations

The festival features a curated selection of Saudi films - SPA
The festival features a curated selection of Saudi films - SPA
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Ithra Unveils 96th Saudi National Day Celebrations

The festival features a curated selection of Saudi films - SPA
The festival features a curated selection of Saudi films - SPA

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) will celebrate the 96th Saudi National Day with a five-day program of diverse cultural events running from September 22 to 26, inviting local and international visitors to explore the Kingdom's origins and future ambitions.

This year's National Day program centers on the theme "Glory Through Our People," exploring the evolution of culture and the blend of heritage and modernity.⁠‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠ The celebrations kick off with a grand military parade, followed by a full program featuring 36 curated and distinct experiences designed to engage visitors, SPA reported.

​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌The event includes an examination of the unique architectural languages of the Kingdom's various regions in the "Inspired by Our Roots" workshop and also include "Saudi Calligraphy Art" sessions, where guests are invited to engage with the aesthetic power of Arabic script.

For those seeking immersive programs, Ithra is also integrating technology with "Pride Salute," a motion-sensing experience that translates military ceremonial movements into digital art, and a sonic experiment "Who Leads the Rhythm," that blends traditional Saudi instruments with contemporary electronic sounds to create innovative sounds.

The festival features a curated selection of Saudi films including ​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌"The Destination," a documentary film that showcases the Kingdom's transformative progress under Saudi Vision 2030, to new experimental films like Marjouj and Irtizaz.

At the Ithra museum, visitors can tour "Bedayat:⁠‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠ The Beginning of the Saudi Art Movement," an exhibition tracing the evolution of the national art scene from the 1960s to the 1980s. The exhibition, which features some of the most renowned early Saudi artists, also includes archival materials and examines how Saudi art has transformed over the decades.

The celebrations include an open-air concert in Ithra's Lush Garden featuring live musical performances alongside traditional folk ensembles. The program showcases the diverse sounds of the rhythmic folk dances of the West and South: the Majrour of Taif, the Khabiti, the Khatwa of the South, and the Rayeh of Bisha, as well as​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠ a traditional sword dance, the Ardah, and the Samri, a poetic, melodious performance.

Ithra, an initiative by Aramco, is a leading cultural destination in Dhahran. The center focuses on enriching people's lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programs and initiatives.