Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Uncovers Over 1,700 Artifacts at Ancient Al-Juhfah Miqat Site

Culture Discoveries included diverse fragments used in daily life, six pottery kilns, a water channel - SPA

Saudi Heritage Commission Uncovers Over 1,700 Artifacts at Ancient Al-Juhfah Miqat Site

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission completed the first season of its joint scientific mission with the University of Exeter at the ancient Al-Juhfah Miqat site…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The manuscript is distinguished by its precise script written in black ink with full diacritical marks - SPA

Makkah Museum Displays Rare Quran Manuscript Dating Back to 1843

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah showcases a collection of rare Quranic artifacts and collectibles that document Muslims’ care for…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Tinuke Odunfa, the interior designer of the gallery, aimed to modernize the space and present Nigerian history in an an 'immersive' environment. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP

Nigerian Museum Revamp Brings Treasures within Reach

Gazing at two large engraved 16th-century elephant tusks on display at Nigeria's National Museum Lagos, a guide surprised visitors by telling them: "You can…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The replicas include selected examples of historical artifacts discovered across various regions of the Kingdom. (SPA)

Archaeological Replicas Showcase Saudi Arabia's Rich History at Kuala Lumpur Int’l Book Fair

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission, through the Kingdom's pavilion at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026, showcased a collection of rare…

Culture "Winter Hillside", circa 1955-56, is one of the works to be exhibited at the Jenna Burlingham Gallery. (Jenna Burlingham Gallery)

Elizabeth Blackadder Exhibition Reveals Wintry Tuscan Landscapes

She may be best known for accessible paintings of flowers and cats, but a new exhibition of Elizabeth Blackadder’s work focuses instead on chilly landscapes…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)

Culture Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

Royal Order Issued on Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

A royal order has been issued approving the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts, an independent educational institution headquartered in Riyadh…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity - SPA

Riyadh’s Markets Thrive as Men Prepare Traditional Attire for Eid Al-Fitr

In preparation for Eid Al-Fitr, Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity as men follow the Prophetic tradition of adorning themselves…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The restoration expanded the mosque’s area from 72.33 to 93.98 square meters - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Al-Fuwaihi Mosque in Sakaka

As part of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques, Al-Fuwaihi Mosque in Sakaka, originally built in 1380 AH (1960)…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture FILED - 10 March 2026, Iran, Tehran: A member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) rescue teams works at the site of a building damaged in a US-Israeli airstrike in Resalat Square. Photo: -/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Iran Says Museums and Historic Sites Damaged in War

Iran's cultural heritage and tourism ministry said Saturday at least 56 museums and historic sites across the country have been damaged, as the Middle East war…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova (R) and Ukrainian curator of the 'Security Guarantees' project Leonid Marushchak pose in front of the 'Origami Deer' sculpture in Prague on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)

Ukraine's 'Origami Deer' Sculpture Rescued from Frontline Tours Europe

An "Origami Deer" statue rescued from a Ukrainian city destroyed and occupied by Moscow's army is touring six European countries before featuring at the 61st…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A crate containing the Djidji Ayokwe drum, at the airport in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP)

'Talking Drum' Looted by France in 1916 Back in Ivory Coast

The Djidji Ayokwe "talking drum", which was looted by French colonial troops in 1916 and taken to France, arrived back in Ivory Coast Friday, in the latest…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA

Red Sea Fund Launches Second Round to Support Film Projects in Production Stage

The Red Sea Fund, affiliated with the Red Sea Film Foundation, announced the opening of applications to support film projects in the production stage within…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Jami' Mosque in Tabuk Region

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of Al-Jami' Mosque in Duba, Tabuk Region, as…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA

Leading Portraiture Competition Celebrates Saudi Heritage Through Art

The Dia Aziz Dia Award for Portrait, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Jeddah, is a leading platform for portraiture and the only…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values

Jazan Cultural House Explores Symbolism of Saudi Flag

The Jazan Cultural House hosted a cultural evening on the Saudi flag, in collaboration with the Cultural Café, a literary partner of the Literature, Publishing…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh Region

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues its mission to preserve the Kingdom’s architectural heritage by…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace after it was damaged in an Israeli and US strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

UNESCO Fears for Fate of Historical Sites during Iran War

UNESCO said it is deeply concerned about the fate of world heritage sites in Iran and across the region, after Tehran's Golestan palace, often compared to…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The coin has been donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries. (Leeds City Council)

Coin Used to Pay for Bus Ticket in Leeds Found to Be Phoenician

An odd-looking coin used to pay for a bus fare in Leeds in the 1950s has been found to belong to an ancient civilization from more than 2,000 years ago,…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Culture A Bangladeshi craftsman weaves fabric on a traditional handloom inside a workshop in Tangail on March 2, 2026. (AFP)

Bangladesh Sari Weaving Tradition Hangs by a Thread

Bangladesh's Tangail sari is fighting for survival as weavers warn that automation and economic pressures are pushing the centuries-old craft to the brink…

Culture The commission's participation aims to promote Saudi literary and intellectual output while showcasing the rapid development of the literature, publishing, and translation sectors in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Launches Pavilion at London Book Fair

Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission officially launched the Kingdom’s pavilion at the London Book Fair 2026, held at Olympia…

Culture A visitor looks at the private collection and never previously shown to the public painting "Portrait de Maffeo Barberini" by Italian master Caravaggio at the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica in the Barberini palace in Rome on November 22, 2024. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP)

Italy Buys Caravaggio Painting for About $35 Million, One of Its Largest Payouts for a Single Work

Italy has bought a rare portrait by baroque painter Caravaggio for 30 million euros (about $35 million), one of the largest state investments ever for a single…

Culture The mosque is historically linked to the companion Jarir ibn Abdullah Al-Bajali, who embraced Islam in 10 AH - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores 1,400-Year-Old Jarir Al-Bajali Mosque in Taif

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of Jarir Al-Bajali Mosque in Taif, preserving a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini was painted by Italian master Caravaggio when the nobleman born in 1568 was in his 30s © Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP/File

Italy Buys Rare Caravaggio Portrait for 30 Million Euros

Italy has paid 30 million euros for a Caravaggio painting of the future pope Urban VIII, the culture ministry said Tuesday, a work that will enter the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture  A reindeer breaks away from the pack during the Salla Porocup reindeer sprint racing event on the frozen Lake Keselmajarvi in Salla, Finland, March 7, 2026. (AP)

Reindeer Racing Thrills Spectators in Finland’s Frigid North Near the Russian Border

Traditional reindeer racing that's been delighting spectators for decades in Finland brought hundreds of fans to the Salla Reindeer Cup in the frigid town of…

Culture This comes as part of the Kingdom-wide initiative to safeguard ancient mosques and highlight Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage under Vision 2030 - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Revitalizes 19th-Century Al-Habish Mosque in Al-Hofuf

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques restored Al-Habish Mosque in Al-Hofuf, Al-Ahsa Governorate, preserving its…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A firefighter extinguishes a blaze at a five-story residential building in Kharkiv on March 7, 2026, after it was partially destroyed by a Russian strike amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by SERGEY BOBOK / AFP)

Ukraine Urges Venice Biennale to Exclude Russia

Ukraine on Sunday called on the Venice Biennale to keep Russia out of the prestigious art event after organizers said it could participate for the first time…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A cowboy gestures during a bull-tailing competition held as part of the "Fiestas del Alma Llanera" celebration in San Fernando de Apure, Apure State, Venezuela, on February 27, 2026. (AFP)

Grabbing the Bull by the Tail: Venezuela’s Cowboy Sport

Four mounted cowboys jostle for position near the bull pen gate. When the bull bolts out into the ring, a mad scramble begins as the riders vie to grab its…

Culture Pedestrians walk past the Basilica of Santa Agnese Outside the Walls as a marble bust is displayed inside after being identified as a work by Michelangelo Buonarroti after centuries without attribution, following a decade of archival research by Italian researcher Valentina Salerno in Rome on March 4, 2026. (AFP)

Michelangelo’s Works Hidden in ‘Secret Room’, Researcher Says

Renaissance artist Michelangelo ordered many of his artworks to be hidden by his pupils in a secret room to protect them for posterity, an Italian researcher…

Culture Following its inclusion in the project in 2022, the mosque's area was expanded to 293 square meters - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Al-Hawza Mosque in Aseer

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques is rehabilitating Al-Hawza Mosque in Dhahran Al-Janoub, Aseer, as part of its…

Asharq Al Awsat