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…

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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 The Hira Cultural District is regarded as a prominent heritage landmark. SPA

Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Visits Hira Cultural District in Makkah

Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Dr. Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar visited on Sunday the Hira Cultural District in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah. During the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Makkah)
Culture AlUla will celebrate the revival of the Tantora Ceremony on Monday in AlUla Old Town. (SPA)

AlUla Revives Tantora Ceremony as Annual Cultural Tradition

AlUla will celebrate the revival of the Tantora Ceremony on Monday in AlUla Old Town, one of the region’s most distinctive heritage markers and a defining…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture  A visitor takes a photo of Rome's Trevi Fountain, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, as the city municipality announced that, starting on Feb. 1, it will impose a 2 euro fee for tourists to visit the recessed fountain edge. (AP)

Rome to Charge Tourists to Get Close to the Famed Trevi Fountain

Tourists who want to get close to Rome's Trevi Fountain will soon have to pay a two-euro ($2.34) fee, the city mayor said on Friday, as authorities look to…

Culture The interactive edition enables users to easily browse AI- and data-related terminology in Arabic, English, and French

ICAIRE Launches Data, AI Glossary to Mark World Arabic Language Day

The International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) announced the launch of an interactive edition of the Data and Artificial…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture The event was held under the cultural program overseen by the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission

Jeddah Book Fair Highlights World Arabic Language Day with Discussion on Literature’s Global Reach

As part of its World Arabic Language Day celebration, the Jeddah Book Fair 2025 has organized a panel discussion on expanding Arabic literature’s global reach…

Culture The program is delivered with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists in children’s literature and cultural content creation - SPA

'Children’s Literary Week' Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia's Qatif

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched Children’s Literary Week in Qatif Governorate. The four-day event aims to enhance the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

Saudi Industrial Development Fund Launches 'SIDF Terminology Dictionary' in Collaboration with KSGAAL

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), has launched the "SIDF Terminology…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program

Saudi Music Commission Announces ‘Music Compass’ Program

The Saudi Music Commission has launched the “Music Compass” program as a strategic initiative aimed at developing music business management in the Kingdom. …

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Culture The curriculum offers specialized courses in several ancient languages - SPA

Saudi Arabia: AlUla Languages Institute Continues Ancient Languages Revival Program

The Royal Commission for AlUla, through the AlUla Languages Institute, is advancing its Ancient Languages Revival Program, a dedicated initiative to preserve…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The conference featured more than 50 speakers and 20 trainers - SPA

Umm Al-Qura University Concludes 'Handicrafts Conference: Identity and Creativity'

Organized by Umm Al-Qura University’s College of Designs and Arts, the "Handicrafts Conference: Identity and Creativity" has concluded its mission to bridge…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Diriyah Art Futures to Launch 'Of the Earth: Earthly Technologies to Computational Biologies' Exhibition 

Diriyah Art Futures to Launch 'Of the Earth: Earthly Technologies to Computational Biologies' Exhibition 

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) announced on Wednesday the opening date of its fourth major exhibition, titled "Of the Earth: Earthly Technologies to Computational…

Culture FILED - 07 December 2018, France, Paris: A View of the inner courtyard with the glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Photo: Christian Böhmer/dpa

France's Louvre Museum Remains Shut as Workers Extend Strike

Staff at France's Louvre museum in Paris on Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of extending a strike over pay and working conditions that began on Monday,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture People examine artifacts on display during the inauguration of the Colosseo Fori Imperiali stop on Metro Line C in Rome, Italy, 16 December 2025. (EPA)

New Rome Metro Stations Showcase Ancient Treasures After Years of Delays

After years of delays and spiraling costs, Rome inaugurated two new metro stations on Tuesday, including one by the Colosseum, showcasing archaeological…

Culture The study presents, for the first time, detailed evidence documenting a historical phase in Wadi al-Qura (modern-day AlUla) spanning the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. (SPA)

New Discoveries Bridge Chronological Gap between Nabataean, Early Islamic Periods in AlUla’s Wadi al-Qura

A joint research team from the Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) published a new…

Culture The UNESCO logo is seen during the 39th session of the General Conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (AP)

King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Framework on Multilingualism at UNESCO

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language (KSGAAL) launched its Framework on Multilingualism Framework at the UN Educational,…

Culture The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation - SPA

65 Artists from 37 Countries to Participate in Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the list of artists participating in the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026, scheduled to open on January 30…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture This photograph shows a banner which reads "Louvre Museum on Strike" outside the entrance to the Louvre as museum workers voted to go on strike against increasingly deteriorating working conditions and the declining visitor experience at the world famous museum, in Paris on December 15, 2025. (AFP)

Louvre Workers Vote to Strike in Another Blow to the Paris Museum 

Workers at the Louvre Museum voted Monday to strike over working conditions and other complaints, dealing another blow to the Paris landmark and home of the…

Culture The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues. (SPA)

Saudi Media Ministry Launches Sudanese Culture Week as Part of 'Global Harmony 2' Initiative 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launched on Sunday the Sudanese Culture Week as part of the "Global Harmony 2" initiative, organized in cooperation with the…

Culture Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award

Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission achieved a new international milestone after winning the Silver Category at the 2025 New York Product Design Awards for its…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Saudi National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18

Saudi National Museum Celebrates World Arabic Language Day with Focus on Heritage, Crafts

Saudi Arabia’s National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18. The…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA

Saudi Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with ESSEC Business School for Riyadh University of Arts

The Saudi Ministry of Culture signed on Sunday a partnership with ESSEC Business School, for Riyadh University of Arts (RUA)’s College of Cultural Management,…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture The Hadrami Dan included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity following a long and diligent process. Photo: X

Hadrami Dan Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee of UNESCO, during its ongoing 20th session in New Delhi, included the Hadrami Dan on the Representative List of the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Aden)
Culture As part of the festival’s broader activities, the cultural tent aims to preserve folk heritage. SPA

Saudi Arabia: Najran Cultural Tent Contributes to Passing Cultural Heritage Across Generations

The cultural tent at Najran Al-Ruqsh Festival has emerged as one of the event’s most prominent attractions, drawing visitors of all ages, particularly those…

Asharq Al Awsat (Najran)
Culture Manga zone at Jeddah Book Fair captivates visitors with creative content, comics. (SPA)

Jeddah Book Fair Highlights Saudi Manga and Comics’ Rise from Hobby to Professionalism

A dialogue session held on the main stage of the Jeddah Book Fair 2025, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, discussed the rapid…

Asharq Al Awsat