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US to Hand Over 3,500-year-old 'Gilgamesh' Tablet to Iraq

A portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh that was looted from Iraq. AP file photo
A portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh that was looted from Iraq. AP file photo
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US to Hand Over 3,500-year-old 'Gilgamesh' Tablet to Iraq

A portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh that was looted from Iraq. AP file photo
A portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh that was looted from Iraq. AP file photo

The United States will formally return an illegally imported 3,500-year-old tablet recounting the epic of Gilgamesh to Iraq this week, the United Nations' cultural body UNESCO announced Monday.

The ancient tablet, which a wealthy US collector had acquired along with other Iraqi artifacts to display in the Washington Museum of the Bible, will be handed over to Iraqi officials at the Smithsonian Institution on September 23.

UNESCO called the repatriation of the tablet, along with 17,000 other artifacts sent back to Iraq in July, "a significant victory in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects."

"The theft and illicit trafficking of ancient artifacts continues to be a key funding source for terrorist groups and other organized criminal organizations," the Paris-based agency said in a statement.

It said that when ISIS controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria over 2014-2019, Iraqi archaeological sites and museums were systematically looted.

The rare fragment, which recounts a dream sequence from the Gilgamesh epic in Akkadian cuneiform script, is one of many ancient artifacts from Iraq and the Middle East collected by David Green, the billionaire owner of the Hobby Lobby craft store chain.

It was seized by the US Justice Department in 2019, two years after Green opened the museum dedicated to ancient Christian history in downtown Washington.

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Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
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Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival, has returned under the Riyadh Art Project. Running from November 28 to December 14, 2024, the festival spans three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District.

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.”
This year’s festival includes contributions from 18 Saudi artists alongside 43 international creators. Participating artists include Architect Saad Al-Howede, Artist Asmaa Aljohani, Artist Anna Ridler, Artist Jiyen Lee, Artist Stefano Cagol, Artist Krista Kim, Artist Stanza, Artist Javier Riera, Studio Atelier Sisu, and Artist Ryoji Ikeda, SPA reported.
Director of Riyadh Art Project Architect Khalid Al-Hazani emphasized Noor Riyadh’s vision of transforming the city into an accessible and inspiring artistic space where creativity flourishes in public areas. Festival Director Nouf Almoneef highlighted Noor Riyadh as a beacon of creativity and connection, inviting visitors to explore this year’s theme through a vibrant collection of installations across Riyadh.
Curators Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag and Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti present Light Years Apart as an exploration of the profound connection between Althara (the earth) and Althuraya (the stars), reflecting on humanity’s journey from its current realities to its greatest aspirations.
The festival’s installations are strategically placed across its three hubs, reflecting Riyadh’s historical and cultural significance. The King Abdulaziz Historical Center bridges the city’s past and future, Wadi Hanifah provides a natural backdrop, and JAX District serves as an interactive space blending digital creativity, art, and technology.
Prominent installations include Artist Chris Levine’s Higher Power (2024), a city-wide light projection from the Al Faisaliah Tower delivering a Morse code message of hope and unity visible across Riyadh. In Wadi Hanifah, Artist Daan Roosegaarde’s SPARK creates a mesmerizing display of biodegradable floating sparks, while Shifting Perspectives by Saudi Artist Maryam Tariq explores perceptual ambiguity through pixelated imagery at Digital City.
At the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Studio United Visual Artists’ Aether features 1,500 drones performing a synchronized light show, while Artist Rashed AlShashai’s The Fifth Pyramid uses illuminated pathways to reimagine the ancient structure, symbolizing Riyadh’s transformation into a global art capital.
Noor Riyadh also offers dynamic community projects, including free workshops, guided tours, family activities, and interactive events. Adults can participate in photography and mixed media workshops, while children engage in creative activities like crafting kaleidoscopes and puppetry.
Since its inception in 2019, Riyadh Art has showcased over 500 artworks by more than 500 artists, welcoming over six million visitors. Noor Riyadh has achieved 14 Guinness World Records, solidifying its status as the most impactful light art festival globally. With its 2024 edition, Noor Riyadh continues to position Riyadh as a hub of culture, innovation, and artistic expression.