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 Music Commission's Marvels of Saudi Orchestra concert at AlUla's Maraya Hall. (SPA)

AlUla’s Cultural Legacy Takes Center Stage at the Marvels of Saudi Orchestra

The Music Commission's Marvels of Saudi Orchestra concert at AlUla's Maraya Hall showcased the region's rich cultural heritage by seamlessly blending…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) successfully concluded its participation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, held from January 19 to 23…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA

Five Artists Shortlisted for the Seventh Edition of Ithra Art Prize

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the five shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, which celebrates…

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Culture The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA

King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched the Arabic Language Month in Mexico as part of its international efforts to support Arabic language…

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Culture Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA

Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

The Holy Sites Journey Program for Arab and Islamic Youth, organized by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation …

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Culture These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA

Janadriyah Village Opens Friday with Culture, Camels, and Family Entertainment

The Janadriyah village, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, will open to visitors this Friday, offering a rich cultural and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

WAMY: Saudi Pavilion at Cairo International Book Fair 2026 Reflects Saudi Cultural Leadership

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s distinguished participation in the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, held in…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Five sculptures from Qasr al-Mshatta are preserved in the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, while a sixth sculpture is preserved in the Jordan Archaeological Museum in Amman.

Fragmentary Sculptures from the Umayyad Palace of Qasr al-Mshatta

by Mahmoud Zibawi The Jordanian desert contains a series of Umayyad palaces, the largest of which is Qasr al-Mshatta, located in the Jiza District…

Culture Marina Vece works on restoring the Sala delle Asse, part of the newly created Leonardo da Vinci itineraries inside Milan's Sforza Castle, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP)

Olympic Visitors to Milan Get a Rare Chance to Glimpse Restoration of a Long-Hidden Leonardo Gem

In honor of the Milan Cortina Olympics, Milan cultural officials are for a brief time only allowing visitors access to a long-hidden wall and ceiling painting…

Culture A handout photo made available by Regione Marche press office shows the excavations in Piazza Andrea Costa from which large columns emerge, remains believed of the Basilica of Vitruvius, in Fano, Italy, 19 January 2026. (EPA/Regione Marche press office)

Italy Uncovers Basilica Designed by Vitruvius, the 'Father of Architecture'

Italian officials on Monday hailed the discovery of a more than 2,000-year-old public building attributed to Vitruvius, the ancient Roman architect and…

Culture People wait for the Louvre museum to open as employees at the Louvre Museum vote to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world's most visited museum, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP)

French TV Broadcasts Louvre Robbery Images

Footage of the spectacular robbery at the Louvre Museum has been broadcast for the first time on French television, showing the brazen jewel thieves breaking…

Culture The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) logo

Cultural Development Fund Highlights Economic Value of Saudi Culture in Davos

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is participating in the Saudi House pavilion initiative, led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, during the Annual…

Asharq Al Awsat (Davos)
Culture The cooperation agreement aims to support local and regional artisans and designers. SPA

Red Sea Museum Signs Cooperation Agreement to Support Artisans and Designers

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission announced the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Red Sea Museum and Ahmed Angawi Studio to launch the "Made in…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

Saudi Arabia Participates in Cairo International Book Fair 2026

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission will lead the Kingdom’s participation in the 57th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP. Police believe they have…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Mohammad AlFaraj's artwork at Desert X AlUla 2026 (Courtesy of Lance Gerber)

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art…

Asharq Al Awsat (AlUla)
Culture The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Tuesday the discovery of 20…

Culture  Colosseum Archeological Park guide Valentina uses a head-mounted device to livestream a guided tour for the press of the newly-restored underground House of Griffins, dated between the II and I century B.C., on the Palatine Hill next to the Colosseum, in Rome, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP)

Ancient Rome Meets Modern Technology as Tourists Visit Restored, Frescoed Home via Livestream Tours

One of the best-preserved ancient Roman homes on the Palatine Hill is opening to the public for the first time, albeit via a livestreamed tour of its hard-to…

Culture Artifacts that were recovered after being looted from the National Museum in Khartoum during the country's long-running war, are displayed during an official ceremony in Port Sudan on January 13, 2026. (AFP)

Sudan Recovers 570 Artifacts Looted During War

Sudanese authorities displayed ancient figurines, ornate vases and scarab-shaped amulets at a ceremony Tuesday in Port Sudan celebrating the recovery of more…

Culture People walk next to the Louvre Museum covered in snow in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. (EPA)

Louvre Museum Says Shutting for the Day Due to Strike

The Louvre Museum was forced to close on Monday due to strike action from staff in the latest disruption at the world's most-visited museum, management said. …

Culture Kimono-clad Japanese young women take pictures after attending a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

20-Year-Olds Gathering in Kimonos for Coming of Age Day Ceremony in Japan

Young women in brightly colored long-sleeved kimonos and young men in formal suits or traditional hakama and haori gathered Monday at Yokohama Arena to mark…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture

Saudi Pavilion at Makkah's Global Village Showcases the Kingdom’s Culture

The Saudi pavilion at Global Village in Makkah, part of the Makkah winter season, reflects the richness and uniqueness of the Kingdom's culture and heritage. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Culinary Arts Commission Joins 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah as Strategic Partner

Culinary Arts Commission Joins 17th Klija Festival in Buraidah as Strategic Partner

The Culinary Arts Commission is participating as a strategic partner in the 17th Klija Festival, held in the city of Buraidah and running until January 17,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The program's themes span traditional architecture, historical photography, music, travel literature, and the history of navigation and public health in the Red Sea. (SPA)

Jeddah’s Red Sea Museum Announces January Cultural Program

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum announced the launch of its public program for January 2026, featuring a series of artistic workshops, cultural talks, live…