Culture

UNESCO Adds France's D-Day Landing Beaches, Greece's Mount Olympus to World Heritage List

Culture Visitors stand at the Prionia trailhead on Mount Olympus in northern Greece, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

UNESCO Adds France's D-Day Landing Beaches, Greece's Mount Olympus to World Heritage List

World War II’s D-Day landing beaches in northern France, the iconic Mount Olympus in Greece and the ancient Japanese capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara were among…

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Culture  Children jump in the ocean in the former dhow port of Kalaweni, opposite the Grand Mosque, in Moroni's historic Medina on July 17, 2026. (AFP)

Six Ancient Comoros Medinas Join UNESCO's Heritage List

UNESCO on Saturday added six centuries-old medinas in the Comoros -- once historic sultanates along Indian Ocean trading routes -- to its World Heritage List,…

Culture  In this picture made available by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Friday, July 24, 2026, part of the restored ceiling of the Bakery House is displayed at the Pompeii Archaeological site. (Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP)

Pompeii Archaeologists Reconstruct Frescoed Ceiling of a Banquet Hall

Archaeologists in Pompeii, the ancient city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, have unveiled the partially reconstructed frescoed ceiling vault…

Culture A Palestinian visitor takes a photo at the Roman historical site in the West Bank town of Sebastia, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP)

UNESCO Adds West Bank Site and Lebanese Castles to World Heritage List Despite Israeli Objections

A United Nations committee voted Friday to inscribe a major archaeological site in the West Bank and a set of castles in southern Lebanon as World Heritage…

Culture Saudi Visual Arts Commission Organizes Intermix Residency Open Studio Event for the Public

Saudi Visual Arts Commission Organizes Intermix Residency Open Studio Event for the Public

Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission invited the public to the Open Studio of the Intermix Residency at Studio I08, JAX District, Diriyah, on July 28, 29, and…

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Culture The collaboration seeks to enhance leadership and specialized capabilities and strengthen workforce readiness to meet future requirements. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Signs Global Partnership to Develop, Empower Emerging Talent

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fitch Learning, one of the world's leading professional…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture In this photo provided Saturday, July 4, 2026, by Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities, some of seven surface limestone-built tombs, discovered in the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, are seen west of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt. (Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities via AP)

Egypt Uncovers Lost Byzantine-era City in the Western Desert

A well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the western desert is one of two major archaeological finds announced by Egypt on Saturday. The recent…

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Culture Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, on April 25, 2024. (AP)

Venice Mayor Proposes Dynamic Pricing for Day-Trippers with 50-Euro Ceiling

Venice’s new mayor is proposing a dynamic pricing system for the city’s three-year-old day-tripper access fee, seeking government approval to raise the charge…

Culture Other key exhibits include diverse religious artifacts, works on the Prophet’s biography, and poems of praise - SPA

Historic Jeddah’s Red Sea Museum Showcases Rare Manuscripts from Ancient Hajj Sea Voyages

The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah stands as a prominent testament to the historic relationship linking the Red Sea to maritime Hajj pilgrimages across the…

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Culture The district is among the key projects highlighting Makkah's cultural and civilizational dimension in line with Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA

Visitors Flock to Hira Cultural District for Immersive Islamic Heritage Experiences

The Hira Cultural District in Makkah is witnessing a growing influx of domestic and international visitors with the start of the summer vacation, cementing its…

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Culture The collection documents the evolution of civilizations. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s Rafha Heritage Museum Showcases over 3,000 Rare Coins, Currencies from World Civilizations

The cultural heritage museum in Rafha Governorate, licensed by the Saudi Museums Commission, houses a collection of more than 3,000 rare coins and currencies,…

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Culture  People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026. (Reuters)

Italy Displays Paintings from an Ancient Etruscan Tomb, Its Latest Cultural Acquisition

Italy on Tuesday put on display one of the best-known examples of Etruscan painting, panels from a tomb that it acquired for 15 million euros ($17 million) in…

Culture Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition. (SPA)

Sunken Treasures Exhibition Showcases Historic Maps of the Red Sea

Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition document the strategic importance of this…

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Culture Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation. (SPA)

Historic Jeddah Enriches Visitor Experience with Traditional Crafts and Cultural Activities

Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation, enabling visitors to…

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Culture A hand-embroidered map of historic Palestine with names of cities and the words “Palestine” and “Returning” in Arabic is displayed at the Inaash Association embroidery workshop in Beirut, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP)

How Some in Palestinian Diaspora Find Connection, Identity and Resilience in Traditional Embroidery

Decades later, Samar Kabouli still fondly recalls gathering with women in her family and sipping cardamom-spiced coffee as they embroidered fabric with…

Culture  Yodelers prepare for TV broadcast on the main festival stage at Petersplatz in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP)

Heat Forces Yodelers at Annual Swiss Festival to Sing in Fountains

City fountains became impromptu rehearsal spaces this weekend as yodelers at a festival in Basel, Switzerland, squeezed in last-minute practice while cooling…

Culture The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo

GASTAT: 75.3% of Saudi Arabia's Population Visited Cultural Event Venues in 2025

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said that 75.3% of Saudi Arabia's population visited venues hosting cultural events or activities in 2025. The…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture 12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation

12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation

The 12th edition of the Saudi Film Festival has opened at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, bringing together…

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Culture Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah - SPA

Red Sea Museum Showcases Centuries of Islamic Maritime Navigation Heritage

The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah showcases a rich legacy of Islamic maritime heritage through a collection of Qibla indicators, compasses, and sundials…

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Culture These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations - SPA

Majnad: Traditional Hunting Belt Preserves Saudi Arabia's Cultural Heritage

The Majnad, also known as the traditional leather hunting belt, is a heritage item closely associated with hunting expeditions and travel in Saudi Arabia,…

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Culture Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain. (SPA)

What Historical Legacy Makes Mount Uhud One of Madinah’s Most Visited Landmarks?

Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain, extends for approximately seven kilometers north of the Prophet's Mosque…

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Culture (FILES) A man holds a preserved artifact from the Cyrene archaeological site near the ancient historical town of Shahat in the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Libya on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Abdullah DOMA / AFP)

In East Libya, Archaeologists Fight to Save 'Breathtaking' Ancient Greek Ruins

In eastern Libya, a small group of passionate archaeologists are striving to safeguard the ancient ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia -- sites first targeted by…

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Culture Culinary Arts Commission Documents Saudi Food Heritage Through Global Ark of Taste Initiative

Culinary Arts Commission Documents Saudi Food Heritage Through Global Ark of Taste Initiative

The Culinary Arts Commission has registered 180 Saudi products representing the Kingdom's 13 administrative regions within the global Ark of Taste initiative,…

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Culture Historic Jeddah was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List after meeting three criteria of Outstanding Universal Value - SPA

Historic Jeddah Marks 12 Years on UNESCO World Heritage List

This June marks the 12th anniversary of Historic Jeddah's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, reflecting the Ministry of Culture's continued efforts…

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Culture  Moesgaard Museum archaeologist Liv Stidsing Reher-Langberg holds a Viking Age weight loom unearthed in Aarhus, Denmark, on June 22, 2026. (AP)

Archaeologists Find Huge Viking Textile Production Site in Denmark

Archaeologists have discovered a huge Viking Age textile production site in Denmark that dates back more than 1,000 years and underlines the sophistication of…

Culture Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari is seen during his visit to the museum. (SPA)

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Visits Ameen Rihani Museum

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahd Al-Dosari visited on Monday the Ameen Rihani Museum in the town of Freike in Matn District, reported the Saudi Press Agency. …

Culture In Saudi Arabia, the relationship with camels extends beyond traditional heritage to form an integral part of national identity and collective memory. (SPA)

On World Camel Day, Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Celebrates Camel Heritage and Reinforces Its Cultural Identity

World Camel Day, observed annually on June 22, serves as a global occasion to reflect on the enduring relationship between humans and camels throughout history…

Culture These collections also include artifacts illustrating stages of the modern Saudi state, serving as educational platforms that bridge the past and present - SPA

Najran Sees Growing Interest in Heritage and Archaeological Artifact Collection

Najran Region has witnessed growing enthusiasm among community members and heritage enthusiasts for collecting traditional and archaeological artifacts that…

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Culture Located 250 kilometers southwest of Hail, this historic village boasts a legacy as rich as its soil - SPA

Why is Fadak Known as the 'City of Walls and Fortresses'?

Encircled by a massive, seven-kilometer wall of rugged black lava stone, the ancient village of Fadak, known today as Al-Hait, earned its title as the "City of…

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