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 The people of AlUla in Saudi Arabia have long maintained a close relationship with nature, reflected in their careful observation of crescent moons. (SPA)

'Moon Spotter': AlUla's Enduring Tradition of Crescent Sighting

The people of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have long maintained a close relationship with nature, reflected in their careful observation of crescent moons and the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Poeple look at Rembrandt's famed Night Watch, which is back on display in what researchers say in its original size, with missing parts temporarily restored in an exhibition aided by artificial intelligence, at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands June 23, 2021. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo

Dutch Museum Makes ‘Needle in a Haystack’ Confirmation of Rembrandt Painting

A painting that was once rejected as a work by Rembrandt van Rijn has now been acknowledged as a work by the Dutch master, thanks to two years of scrutiny in…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Plumes of smoke rise after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo)

UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran Damaged in Strikes

Iran's UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran has been damaged in US and Israeli strikes, local media reported Monday. "Following the joint US-Israeli…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Turkish drummer Hakan Ozbingol plays drum and sings traditional songs in the streets of Istanbul, to wake Muslims up for the suhour, the Ramadan meal eaten at night, on February 24, 2026. (AFP)

Before Dawn, Ancient Drum Rite Wakes Istanbul Faithful to Fast

It's 3:30 am and lights are slowly coming on in the homes lining a narrow Istanbul street as people are woken up by the rhythmic thump of a drum. Emerging…

Culture ​​​​​​​The recent renovation by specialized Saudi firms increased the mosque's capacity from 80 to 129 worshippers and its area to 250 square meters - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historical Al-Jaloud Mosque in Hail

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the comprehensive restoration of Al-Jaloud Mosque in Hail Region…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The ministry encourages consumers to choose national coffee products for their nutritional value - SPA

Saudi Coffee Remains Key Crop and Cultural Treasure during Ramadan

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed that Saudi coffee is a key national agricultural crop and an important cultural legacy,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure that serves both local communities and international visitors. SPA

Red Sea Museum Opens 'Sunken Treasures' Exhibition to Highlight Maritime Heritage

The Red Sea Museum celebrated the opening of 'Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea' exhibition on Wednesday in an event that brought together…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses. (SPA)

Old Houses in Al-Baha: A Living Architectural Heritage of Ramadan

Several residents of Al-Baha Region are reviving the atmosphere of Ramadan iftar in old houses, in a scene that reflects deep attachment to architectural…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture (FILES) President of Chateau de Versailles Christophe Leribault arrives at the Elysee Palace, in Paris on February 27, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Head of France's Versailles Palace Takes over Louvre

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Christophe Leribault, the ⁠current head of the ⁠Versailles Palace, as ⁠director of the Louvre museum in Paris,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Osborne Henry Mavor’s “Let Eric Remember” from Aberdeen Art Gallery. (Aberdeen archives, gallery & museums/Art UK)

One Million Works Catalogued in Art UK Database

From a bronze Rodin sculpture of Eve outside a Nando’s in Harlow to more than 6,000 artworks by JMW Turner, to a crumpled-up piece of A4 paper owned by…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Culture Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP)

Louvre Museum’s Director Resigns in Wake of Jewels Heist in Paris

The director of the Louvre Museum who had been under fire since the stunning and embarrassing heist of the French Crown jewels in October has stepped down from…

Culture The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA

Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA

Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s authentic architectural identity. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA

Qassim Region Principality Illuminated in Green in Celebration of Founding Day

The Qassim Region Principality building was illuminated in green in celebration of Founding Day. The scene reflected pride in the historical roots of the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Century-Old Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of the Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim Region,…

Culture This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)

Tomb More Than 1,000 Years Old Found in Panama

Archaeologists have discovered a tomb more than a thousand years old in Panama containing human remains alongside gold and ceramic artifacts, the lead…

Culture László Bárdossy, head chef of the Neverland Pizzeria adds topping on the restaurant's Roman-era pizza in Budapest, Hungary, on Feb. 11, 2026. (AP)

When in Rome: Budapest Pizzeria Offers Time-Travel Twist with Ancient Rome-Inspired Pie

In Hungary’s capital, a city best known for its goulash, a pizzeria is inviting diners to travel back two millennia to a time before tomatoes, mozzarella or…

Culture The Red Sea Museum. (Red Sea Museum)

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum Announces Ramadan Program 

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum announced on Thursday a curated program of creative and cultural activities for the holy month of Ramadan, running from February 22 to…

Culture The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) will offer traditional craft workshops throughout Ramadan. SPA

Saudi Arabia: Ship of Tolerance Initiative Promotes Cultural Dialogue in Jeddah

The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the "Lenobadir" volunteer and community partnership program and the Athr Foundation, has launched the Ship…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture A view of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, William Shakespeare's childhood home, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Britain, February 9, 2026. (Reuters)

Oscar Contender ‘Hamnet’ Boosts Tourism at Shakespeare Heritage Sites 

On a cloudy winter's day, visitors stream into what was once William Shakespeare's childhood home in Stratford-upon-Avon and the nearby Anne Hathaway's cottage…

Culture Historic Jeddah has emerged as a leading cultural tourism destination during Ramadan. (SPA)

Culture Ministry Continues Preparations in Historic Jeddah to Welcome Visitors during Ramadan 

The Saudi Ministry of Culture is continuing its efforts to revitalize Historic Jeddah in preparation for welcoming visitors during the holy month of Ramadan,…

Culture Skulls of several mammals before the destruction (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Thousands of Animals, Rare Specimens Stolen from Sudan Museum

“Everything is over.” With that short and painful phrase, a Sudanese government official summed up the loss of nearly a century and a half of history after war…

Asharq Al Awsat (Khartoum)
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…