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 The MoU aims to support the animation industry in the Kingdom and enhance its global presence. SPA

Red Sea Film Festival Partners with Annecy to Boost Saudi Animation Industry and Talent

The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced a strategic three-year partnership with the CITIA, organizer of the Annecy International Animation Film…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture The seminar highlighted the significant advancement in the Saudi sports sector since 2017. SPA

Seminar Highlights Saudi Sports as Medium for Global Cultural and Media Exchange

The Jeddah International Book Fair 2025 hosted a seminar on the role of sports as a medium for cultural and media exchange, highlighting the significant…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture 'SaudiPedia', Museums Commission Sign Cooperation Agreement to Enrich Digital Museum Content

'SaudiPedia', Museums Commission Sign Cooperation Agreement to Enrich Digital Museum Content

The “SaudiPedia” initiative, affiliated with the Ministry of Media, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Museums Commission, affiliated with the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture This handout image of CCTV footage released by Avon and Somerset Police on December 11, 2025 shows men in the early hours of September 25 in the city of Bristol, south-west England outside a building which housed items from the Bristol Museum's British Empire and Commonwealth collection. (Photo by Handout / Avon and Somerset Police / AFP)

UK Police Hunt Suspects after 600 Items Relating to British Empire Are Stolen from Museum

More than 600 artifacts relating to the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth have been stolen from the collection of Bristol Museum, police said…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Culture RCU Advances Preservation of AlUla Old Town under Cooperation Agreement with Pompeii

RCU Advances Preservation of AlUla Old Town under Cooperation Agreement with Pompeii

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii continue to advance their joint work on the preservation of AlUla Old Town, under…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture  This cultural event is regarded as one of the Kingdom’s major literary platforms, bringing together publishers, creators, and book enthusiasts - SPA

Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Launches Jeddah Book Fair 2025

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched the Jeddah Book Fair 2025 today at the Jeddah Superdome. More than 1,000 local and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Saudi Heritage Commission logo

Saudi Heritage Commission, SDAIA Sign MoU to Boost AI Use in Cultural Heritage

The Saudi Heritage Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) to advance data- and AI-driven…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture The agreements were concluded during the Development Finance Conference MOMENTUM 2025. SPA

Saudi Cultural Development Fund to Support 5 Enterprises Worth over SAR63 Million

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF) signed five credit facility agreements under its Cultural Financing Program, with a total value exceeding SAR63…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture CDF signed credit facility agreements under the Cultural Financing Program, totaling more than SAR60 million - SPA

Cultural Fund Hosts 'Film Future Reception' during Red Sea International Film Festival

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) hosted the “Film Future Reception” during the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival. The event…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Visual Arts Commission Announces Art and Ideas Riyadh Initiative

Visual Arts Commission Announces Art and Ideas Riyadh Initiative

The Visual Arts Commission announced the upcoming edition of its Art and Ideas initiative, taking place 14–15 December 2025 at Prince Mohammad bin Salman City …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A waiter carries pizzas at L'antica Pizzeria da Michele as Italian cuisine awaits a crucial UNESCO decision that could recognize it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Naples, Italy, December 5, 2025. (Reuters)

Italian Cooking and Its Rituals Get UN Designation as World Heritage 

Italian food is known and loved around the world for its fresh ingredients and palate-pleasing tastes. On Wednesday, the UN's cultural agency gave foodies…

Culture Koshary, an Egyptian vegan dish recognized by UNESCO as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage, is plated in Cairo, Egypt, on December 9, 2025. (Reuters)

Koshary, Egypt's Spicy Staple, Wins UNESCO Recognition 

Koshary – a spicy dish of lentils, rice and pasta available at countless Egyptian food stalls – won recognition as a cultural treasure from the UN's cultural…

Culture The Queen Victoria's emerald tiara, designed by Prince Albert and crafted by Joseph Kitching, London, 1845, emeralds and diamonds set in gold and silver, displayed at the exhibition "Dynastic Jewels" organized by The Al Thani Collection Foundation at the Hôtel de la Marine museum in Paris, France, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP) 

More Glittering Royal Jewels Displayed While Paris Is Still Uneasy Over the Louvre Robbery 

A glittering exhibition of royal jewels is opening Wednesday in Paris even as the city still reels from the brazen crown-jewel heist at the nearby Louvre…

Culture The archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii is seen in Pompeii, Italy, May 26, 2020. (Reuters)

Scientists Discover Secrets of Ancient Roman Concrete at Pompeii

Scientists excavating the ruins of Pompeii have discovered a construction site left frozen in time by the eruption of Italy's Mount Vesuvius volcano in 79 AD,…

Culture  SOAS will collaborate with RUA’s College of Heritage and Civilization Studies - SPA

Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with SOAS University of London for Riyadh University of Arts

The Ministry of Culture today signed a partnership with SOAS University of London, for Riyadh University of Arts (RUA)’s College of Heritage and Civilization…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Sicilian cannoli are served at Pasticceria Cappello as Italian cuisine awaits a crucial UNESCO decision that could recognize it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Palermo, Italy, December 5, 2025. (Reuters)

Beyond Pizza and Pasta: Italy’s Culinary Heritage Awaits UNESCO Nod 

Italian cooking, already celebrated around the world, is poised for a new accolade: formal recognition as a cultural treasure from the United Nations' cultural…

Culture A rainbow emerges over the Louvre museum, bathed in late afternoon sunlight, in Paris, on December 6, 2025. (AFP)

Louvre Workers Announce Strike Over Work Conditions and Security After $102M Heist

Workers at the Louvre Museum voted Monday for strikes to protest their work conditions, a ticket-price hike for non-European visitors and security weaknesses…

Culture The event, dedicated to digital media artists and held under the theme "High Resolution Dreams of Sand," explores the connections between environment, technology, and culture - SPA

Diriyah Art Futures Hosts Second Open Studio of Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency

Diriyah Art Futures, the first specialized center for New Media Arts in the Middle East and North Africa, hosted the second edition of the Open Studio for the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Literature Commission Prepares to Launch Jeddah Book Fair 2025

Literature Commission Prepares to Launch Jeddah Book Fair 2025

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is preparing to organize the Jeddah Book Fair 2025, scheduled to take place from December 11 to 20 at the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A UNESCO logo is seen at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, May 29, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Culture Minister Meets Former UNESCO Director-General at Red Sea Museum

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan met with former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The festival will run until December 11 - SPA

OIC Cultural Festival Commences in Azerbaijan

The OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025 launched Monday in Azerbaijan. Organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture AlUla named world’s cultural tourism project 2025. SPA

AlUla Named World’s Cultural Tourism Project 2025

AlUla’s status as a global hub for culture, heritage, exploration, and discovery has been further strengthened following its designation as the World’s Leading…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The festival runs until December 13 with the wide participation of local and international film stars and creators

Red Sea International Film Festival Held Amid Wide Participation from Film Stars, Creators

The fifth annual Red Sea International Film Festival is being held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan at Culture…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture This undated handout photograph released on November 25, 2025 by MFFT-EPHE/PSL shows funerary statuette, knonw as ouchbetis, found in the royal necropolis of Tanis (San el-Hagar). (Simone Nannucci / MFFT - EPHE/PSL / AFP)

‘Amazing’ Figurines Find in Egyptian Tomb Solves Mystery

A treasure trove of 225 funerary figurines have been discovered inside a tomb in the ancient Egyptian capital of Tanis in the Nile Delta, a rare find that has…