Culture

Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

Culture An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)

Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

As South Korea's global cultural influence expands in areas such as music, film and television, one form of entertainment struggling to attract attention even…

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

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

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission concluded the Kingdom’s Guest of Honor participation at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, held…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center supports the city’s positioning as a destination for creativity and cultural expression - SPA

Qiddiya City Begins Construction of Landmark Performing Arts Center

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the commencement of construction works for the Performing Arts Center in Qiddiya City, marking an important milestone…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture This seminar is part of the commission's efforts to promote Saudi culture in regional and international forums. SPA

Saudi Arts Commission Engages in Cultural Dialogue at Damascus Book Fair

The Theater and Performing Arts Commission hosted a panel discussion on symbolism and heritage in traditional Saudi performing arts at the Kingdom's pavilion…

Asharq Al Awsat (Damascus)
Culture Kim Morgan and Guillermo del Toro attend a premiere for the film "Frankenstein", at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, US, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)

English Museum Shines Light on Mary Shelley and Her Gothic Classic ‘Frankenstein’ 

On a window of a Bath townhouse, one of the southwestern English city’s most famous residents looks out at passersby. Inside is Mary Shelley’s House of…


Culture Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA

Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

The Holy Sites Journey Program for Arab and Islamic Youth, organized by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA

Janadriyah Village Opens Friday with Culture, Camels, and Family Entertainment

The Janadriyah village, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, will open to visitors this Friday, offering a rich cultural and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

WAMY: Saudi Pavilion at Cairo International Book Fair 2026 Reflects Saudi Cultural Leadership

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s distinguished participation in the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, held in…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Five sculptures from Qasr al-Mshatta are preserved in the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, while a sixth sculpture is preserved in the Jordan Archaeological Museum in Amman.

Fragmentary Sculptures from the Umayyad Palace of Qasr al-Mshatta

by Mahmoud Zibawi The Jordanian desert contains a series of Umayyad palaces, the largest of which is Qasr al-Mshatta, located in the Jiza District…

Culture Marina Vece works on restoring the Sala delle Asse, part of the newly created Leonardo da Vinci itineraries inside Milan's Sforza Castle, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP)

Olympic Visitors to Milan Get a Rare Chance to Glimpse Restoration of a Long-Hidden Leonardo Gem

In honor of the Milan Cortina Olympics, Milan cultural officials are for a brief time only allowing visitors access to a long-hidden wall and ceiling painting…

Culture A handout photo made available by Regione Marche press office shows the excavations in Piazza Andrea Costa from which large columns emerge, remains believed of the Basilica of Vitruvius, in Fano, Italy, 19 January 2026. (EPA/Regione Marche press office)

Italy Uncovers Basilica Designed by Vitruvius, the 'Father of Architecture'

Italian officials on Monday hailed the discovery of a more than 2,000-year-old public building attributed to Vitruvius, the ancient Roman architect and…

Culture People wait for the Louvre museum to open as employees at the Louvre Museum vote to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP)

French TV Broadcasts Louvre Robbery Images

Footage of the spectacular robbery at the Louvre Museum has been broadcast for the first time on French television, showing the brazen jewel thieves breaking…

Culture The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) logo

Cultural Development Fund Highlights Economic Value of Saudi Culture in Davos

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is participating in the Saudi House pavilion initiative, led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, during the Annual…

Asharq Al Awsat (Davos)
Culture The cooperation agreement aims to support local and regional artisans and designers. SPA

Red Sea Museum Signs Cooperation Agreement to Support Artisans and Designers

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission announced the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Red Sea Museum and Ahmed Angawi Studio to launch the "Made in…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead the Kingdom’s participation in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP. Police believe they have…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art…

Asharq Al Awsat (AlUla)
Culture The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Tuesday the discovery of 20…

Culture  Colosseum Archeological Park guide Valentina uses a head-mounted device to livestream a guided tour for the press of the newly-restored underground House of Griffins, dated between the II and I century B.C., on the Palatine Hill next to the Colosseum, in Rome, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP)

Ancient Rome Meets Modern Technology as Tourists Visit Restored, Frescoed Home via Livestream Tours

One of the best-preserved ancient Roman homes on the Palatine Hill is opening to the public for the first time, albeit via a livestreamed tour of its hard-to…

Culture Artifacts that were recovered after being looted from the National Museum in Khartoum during the country's long-running war, are displayed during an official ceremony in Port Sudan on January 13, 2026. (AFP)

Sudan Recovers 570 Artifacts Looted During War

Sudanese authorities displayed ancient figurines, ornate vases and scarab-shaped amulets at a ceremony Tuesday in Port Sudan celebrating the recovery of more…

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

Louvre Museum Says Shutting for the Day Due to Strike

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. …

Culture 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

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

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…

Asharq Al Awsat
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

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. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Culinary Arts Commission Joins 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah as Strategic Partner

Culinary Arts Commission Joins 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah as Strategic Partner

The Culinary Arts Commission is participating as a strategic partner in the 17th Klija Festival, held in the city of Buraidah and running until January 17,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The program's themes span traditional architecture, historical photography, music, travel literature, and the history of navigation and public health in the Red Sea. (SPA)

Jeddah’s Red Sea Museum Announces January Cultural Program

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum announced the launch of its public program for January 2026, featuring a series of artistic workshops, cultural talks, live…

Culture The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA

Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The Cultural House in Jazan held a cultural meeting yesterday evening titled “The Importance of Translating Saudi Literature.” Participants discussed the role…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA

Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the documentation and international publication of a scientific discovery of rare horseshoe crab fossils…

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Culture The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA

Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The Levant pavilion at the Global Village, part of the Makkah winter events, is offering an integrated experience that reflects the depth of Levantine…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The exhibition will feature more than 80 significant artworks by artists from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa, and around the world. (SPA)

Contemporary Art Museum in AlUla and Centre Pompidou Announce ‘Arduna’ Exhibition This February

The exhibition Arduna will welcome visitors to the fifth edition of the AlUla Arts Festival from February 1 to April 15. Presented by Arts AlUla and…