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 renovation uses traditional Al-Jouf mud-brick techniques and natural materials - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historical Al-Saidan Mosque in Al-Jouf Region

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has commenced the restoration of Al-Saidan Mosque in Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Jouf…

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Culture The inauguration of the new layout and archaeological area of the southern ambulacra of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Rome’s Colosseum Gets a Fresh Look That Recreates the Footprints of Long-Gone Columns

The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same travertine marble of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns from 2,000 years ago…

Culture The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)

Northern Arabia Archaeological Site Reveals 13,500-Year-Old Human Settlement

The Saudi Heritage Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, announced findings documenting archaeological evidence of…

Culture The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)

Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque: An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Development of Historical Mosques focuses on preserving and restoring historical mosques across Saudi Arabia while…

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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…

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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…

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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)…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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