Culture

Hegra Highlights Status as Saudi Arabia’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site

Culture Hegra Highlights Status as Saudi Arabia’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hegra Highlights Status as Saudi Arabia’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a land that has witnessed successive civilizations whose traces remain across its regions, is home to AlUla Governorate, where the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture A diver passes above Roman-era columns at an archaeological site near the coast in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Tyre’s Ruins Survived the Strikes. Now Divers are Finding their Way Back Underwater

Beneath the Mediterranean waters off the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, divers swim past stone walls, ancient structures and a submerged road — remnants of…

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Culture Linah is one of the most prominent historical sites in northern Saudi Arabia - SPA

Historic Linah Marks Saudi National Day with Heritage Events, International Performances

Historic Linah, located south of Rafha in Northern Borders Region, will celebrate Saudi National Day with a series of national and heritage events at the…

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Culture  A person photographs Leonardo da Vinci's painting Mona Lisa at the Louvre museum, Aug. 31, 2025, in Paris. (AP)

Germans Arrested for Louvre Stunt in Mona Lisa Hall

Two Germans were arrested Saturday after they stuck two paintings on a wall of the hall that hosts the Mona Lisa in Paris's Louvre museum, police sources said…

Culture The agreement focuses on organizing a specialized symposium to exchange expertise on safeguarding policies, methodologies, and practices. SPA

Saudi Culture Ministry, ALECSO Sign Executive Program for Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Culture has signed an executive program with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to establish a…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)

Culture Saudi Heritage Commission Announces 2025 Excavation Results at Al-Serrain Archaeological Site

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces 2025 Excavation Results at Al-Serrain Archaeological Site

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced on Tuesday the results of the 2025 archaeological excavation season of the Saudi-Chinese mission at the Al-Serrain…

Culture  Mohammed Rashid, alias "Rambo", a kabootarbaaz (pigeon keeper) feeds his pigeons as he trains them, on the rooftop of a restaurant in the old quarters of Delhi, India, January 24, 2026. (Reuters)

Ancient Mughal Tradition of Pigeon-Rearing Thrives in India’s Capital

In the ‌heart of India's capital city New Delhi, a few men are practicing the ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing, training the birds to navigate…

Culture The manuscript, featuring a unique octagonal design and compact size, was written in India during the 19th century. (SPA)

Rare 19th-Century Octagonal Quran Goes on Display at Makkah’s Holy Quran Museum

The Holy Quran Museum in Makkah is showcasing a rare and unique historical Quran written in India during the 19th century, reported the Saudi Press Agency on…

Culture A general view shows the diner room of French brasserie Bouillon Chartier, on July 24, 2013, in Paris. (AFP)

How France Fell for Re-imagined 19th-Century Workers’ Canteens

So-called bouillon restaurants are mushrooming all over France, reviving a traditional low-cost Gallic meal concept that can compete with fast-food on prices…

Culture AlUla remains committed to the preservation of its archaeological sites and inscriptions through specialized restoration and rehabilitation projects - SPA

AlUla Marks World Heritage Day, Showcases Millennia of Human Civilization

AlUla Governorate is celebrating World Heritage Day, observed annually on April 18, by showcasing a historical legacy spanning thousands of years as a…

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Culture FILE PHOTO: People walk in front of the British Museum in London, Britain, September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

UK Proposal to Charge Tourists to Visit Museums Sparks Backlash

Britain is considering introducing entry fees for tourists visiting some of England's most renowned museums, a proposal that has drawn criticism from…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Culture The artworks are strategically distributed across major streets, public squares, cultural centers, and key urban hubs. SPA

Riyadh Art Unveils 75 Works in Expanding Public Art Collection Across Capital

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, through its “Riyadh Art” program, has unveiled 75 new artworks as part of a growing permanent collection installed across…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture A conservator works on the restoration of gilded moldings at the Prado museum's sculpture restoration department in Madrid on October 23, 2025. (Pierre-Philippe Marcou/ AFP)

New Tools Rescue Old Art at Madrid’s Prado Museum

In a quiet space secluded from the throngs of daily visitors to Madrid's Prado art museum, a team of experts perpetuate an ancient tradition of restoring…

Culture The Saudi Culture Ministry will oversee the national pavilion with participation from several entities

Saudi Culture Ministry Launches Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum with Wide Participation from Experts, Entities

Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the sessions of the Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum, organized by the…

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Culture Maraya Hall reflects one aspect of the cultural transformation witnessed in AlUla - SPA

AlUla’s Maraya Hall Highlights Creative Fusion of Art and Landscape

In AlUla Governorate, features of human creativity are manifested in their finest form, as Maraya Hall hosts an exceptional artistic and architectural…

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Culture Prince Badr expressed his pride in the strong historical and fraternal ties between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia - SPA

Saudi Culture Minister Reviews Bilateral Cultural Relations with Malaysian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met Wednesday with Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. …

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Culture The Saudi Minister of Culture met on Tuesday with Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy in Jakarta. SPA

Saudi Culture Minister Meets with Indonesian Minister of Creative Economy

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan on Tuesday met with Indonesia’s Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya in Jakarta. …

Asharq Al Awsat (Jakarta)
Culture “Life Through a Royal Lens” runs until June 7. (Kensington Palace)

‘Life Through a Royal Lens’ Exhibition Showcases British Royal Photography

A photography exhibition showcasing more than 100 photographs taken of and by the British Royal Family is on tour following its launch at Kensington Palace. …

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Culture People sit at a bistro, enjoying the sun in Paris, Thursday, April 9, 2026.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French Lawmakers Pass Bill Simplifying Return of Colonial-era Art

French lawmakers on Monday passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin, AFP reported. …

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Culture The book spent 29 weeks on the German best-seller list. Photo: The New York Times

A Novel Makes a Star Out of a Very Young Writer

By Thomas Rogers The 22-year-old Swiss writer Nelio Biedermann has strange memories of visiting his family’s old properties when he was a child. Although he…

Culture FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 8, 2026. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/Pool/File Photo

French Lawmakers to Debate Bill to Return Colonial-era Art

France's lawmakers will on Monday debate a bill to simplify the return of artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. France still…

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Culture Rockslides are a concern at the ancient theatre of Delphi. Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP/File

Greece's Ancient Sites Get Climate-change Checkup

Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites…

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Culture  A general view of the Door of No Return monument in Ouidah on April 7, 2026. (AFP)

Benin Leans into Painful Past to Attract Tourists

Tourists crowded beneath the Door of No Return, an arch built by the beach at Ouidah in southern Benin in memory of those crammed onto slave ships bound for…

Culture The Hira Cultural District in Makkah organized a literary symposium on Friday at Hira Café. (SPA)

Hira Cultural District Hosts Symposium on Arabic Language and Identity

The Hira Cultural District in Makkah organized a literary symposium on Friday at Hira Café, where scholars, writers, and language enthusiasts gathered to…

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Culture Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

Saudi Ministry Launches ‘Cultural Experiences’ Program to Promote Local Arts and Heritage

The Saudi Ministry of Culture unveiled the “Cultural Experiences” program to raise awareness of local culture and arts through interactive public experiences. …

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Culture A visitor looks at Spanish painter Pablo Picasso's master piece "Guernica" during a press conference presenting the "Year of Picasso" events, marking the 50th anniversary of the painter's death, at the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid, on September 12, 2022. (Thomas Coex/ AFP)

Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ at Heart of Battle in Spain Over Location

Pablo Picasso's anti-war masterpiece "Guernica" is swept up in a conflict in Spain, where Basque leaders want the government in Madrid to move the painting to…

Culture Cultural Development Fund Reports Strong Q1 2026 Growth and Impact

Cultural Development Fund Reports Strong Q1 2026 Growth and Impact

The Cultural Development Fund has announced its results for the first quarter of 2026, demonstrating significant growth in financial performance and…

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Culture The pavilion highlighted the distinctive architectural features of Historic Jeddah - SPA

Historic Jeddah Showcases Cultural Heritage at Umrah and Ziyarah Forum

Historic Jeddah participated in the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum to highlight its historical role as a key gateway for pilgrims to Makkah, while introducing…

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Culture  Maiko (apprentice geisha) take part in a press interview ahead a rehearsal for the annual "Miyako Odori" -- which means "capital city dance" in Japanese, at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo in Kyoto on March 31, 2026. (AFP)

Geisha Spectacle in Japan’s Kyoto Celebrates Arrival of Spring

Against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, a group of geishas elegantly shuffle onto a stage in Japan's Kyoto city to begin a centuries-old performance…