Lavender, a Symbol of Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality

Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
TT

Lavender, a Symbol of Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality

Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA
Saudi Arabia's Lavender - SPA

Lavender flowers dress Saudi deserts during Spring, reflecting the unique natural landscape of the Kingdom.

The northern regions of the Kingdom are abundant in shamrock, chrysanthemum, and lavender flowers that flourish in various degrees of purple that go in harmony with the desert landscape and give it vigor.

This has prompted Saudi Arabia to choose purple as the new color for its carpets during ceremonial and formal occasions, which includes receiving heads of states, official guests, ministers, and ambassadors.

The Kingdom is one of the few countries that no longer use the traditional red carpets during official occasions.

The idea to use purple for ceremonial carpets came as a joint initiative between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and the Royal Protocol.

Purple was chosen as a touristic and cultural symbol, inspired by the lavender flowers that bloom in spring and cover the Kingdom’s desert landscapes.

Notably, official purple carpets appeared for the first time when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

The initiative to change the color of ceremonial carpets reflects the ongoing development in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. It also attributes special importance to the roots of Saudi history and civilization.

Saudi Arabia placed special emphasis on its cultural identity and international appearance after the launch of Vision 2030, contributing to the promotion of various sectors such as tourism, arts, and archaeology.



Notre Dame Cathedral is Going to Unveil its New Interior, a Watershed in its Rebirth from Fire

Notre-Dame cathedral rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas (C) blesses the bell donated by Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJO), rung by Olympic medalists during the Paris Games, for its installation in Notre-Dame Cathedral, ahead of the monument's forthcoming reopening after a massive fire and five years of rebuilding efforts, in Paris, France, 07 November 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Notre-Dame cathedral rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas (C) blesses the bell donated by Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJO), rung by Olympic medalists during the Paris Games, for its installation in Notre-Dame Cathedral, ahead of the monument's forthcoming reopening after a massive fire and five years of rebuilding efforts, in Paris, France, 07 November 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
TT

Notre Dame Cathedral is Going to Unveil its New Interior, a Watershed in its Rebirth from Fire

Notre-Dame cathedral rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas (C) blesses the bell donated by Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJO), rung by Olympic medalists during the Paris Games, for its installation in Notre-Dame Cathedral, ahead of the monument's forthcoming reopening after a massive fire and five years of rebuilding efforts, in Paris, France, 07 November 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Notre-Dame cathedral rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas (C) blesses the bell donated by Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJO), rung by Olympic medalists during the Paris Games, for its installation in Notre-Dame Cathedral, ahead of the monument's forthcoming reopening after a massive fire and five years of rebuilding efforts, in Paris, France, 07 November 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral is going to unveil its new self to the world on Friday, a watershed in the rebirth from its devastating fire in 2019.
The occasion is French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors for himself before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8.
His two-hour tour is being televised live. The images are expected to be breathtaking, showing creamy renovated stonework, vibrant colors, and other fruits of the mammoth reconstruction, The Associated Press said.
Joined by artisans, architects, business leaders, and donors, Macron is expected to pay tribute to the craftsmanship and dedication of all those who worked to bring Notre Dame back to life.
Macron is scheduled to inspect the restored nave, no longer ripped open by giant holes that the fire tore out of its vaults. He is also to see the rebuilt timber-framed roof, rebuilt with wood from hundreds of oak trees, and other highlights of the reconstruction.
Joined by a group of 700 artisans, architects, business leaders, and donors, Macron is paying tribute to the craftsmanship and dedication behind the restoration effort.
The visit kicks off a series of events ushering in the reopening of the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece.
Macron will return on Dec. 7 to deliver an address and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass the following day.
Macron's administration is hailing the reconstruction as a symbol of national unity and French can-do.