عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

SDRPY Participates in ’Common Ground’ Exhibition on Saudi, Yemeni Cultures

SPA
SPA
TT
TT

SDRPY Participates in ’Common Ground’ Exhibition on Saudi, Yemeni Cultures

SPA
SPA

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in an introductory exhibition on its development projects in Yemen.
The introduction is part of the first edition of the Common Ground exhibition, which is organized by the Ministry of Culture and held in Riyadh from September 8 to 20. The exhibition will spotlight the Saudi and Yemeni cultures, SPA reported.
The Common Ground exhibition aims to display the similarities between the cultures of the two Arab countries, including in the aspects of fashion, visual arts, architecture, design, as well as culinary arts.
The exhibition looks forward to enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between the Kingdom and Yemen.
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Yemen Moammar Al-Eryani and several Yemeni officials toured the introductory exhibition alongside SDRPY General Supervisor Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber.
SDRPY is engaged in reviving and preserving heritage, restoring historical buildings, and enhancing workforce capabilities in the cultural field. The program also implements quality initiatives that back the development process in Yemen and promotes economic benefits in Yemen.
SDRPY has implemented 229 development projects and initiatives in Yemen in seven key sectors: education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, and capacity building for government institutions.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

British Museum Head ‘Sorry’ Over Bayeux Tapestry Complaints

The fragile 70-meter tapestry went on display in the UK for the first time in September on loan from its home in Normandy, France. (Reuters)
The fragile 70-meter tapestry went on display in the UK for the first time in September on loan from its home in Normandy, France. (Reuters)
TT
TT

British Museum Head ‘Sorry’ Over Bayeux Tapestry Complaints

The fragile 70-meter tapestry went on display in the UK for the first time in September on loan from its home in Normandy, France. (Reuters)
The fragile 70-meter tapestry went on display in the UK for the first time in September on loan from its home in Normandy, France. (Reuters)

The British Museum director told the BBC Monday he was "really sorry" if visitors had a bad experience at the landmark Bayeux Tapestry exhibition after some complained of long waits.

The fragile 70-meter tapestry went on display in the UK for the first time in September on loan from its home in Normandy, France, with tickets quickly selling out.

Some have waited hours to get in and last week some visitors told media they were unable to get inside to see the exhibition despite having bought tickets, because the museum closed early for a private event.

"Anyone that doesn't have a good experience, we're really sorry about that and we want to put it right," museum director Nicholas Cullinan told the BBC.

Visitors are encouraged to view the tapestry within a 40-minute slot, but staff have found some "want to spend more time than anticipated", meaning the next group has less time to view it, according to the museum chief.

Next week the tapestry will reach its 100,000th visitor, said Cullinan, a figure he called "a pretty extraordinary statistic".

The museum announced Sunday it will make changes to improve visitors' experience, such as extending opening hours and offering an audio guide, more seats and clearer signs.

Culture

Cultural Development Fund Signs SAR39 Million Agreement with Rotana

The agreement covers the production of films and television series spanning social comedy, drama, and action - SPA
The agreement covers the production of films and television series spanning social comedy, drama, and action - SPA
TT
TT

Cultural Development Fund Signs SAR39 Million Agreement with Rotana

The agreement covers the production of films and television series spanning social comedy, drama, and action - SPA
The agreement covers the production of films and television series spanning social comedy, drama, and action - SPA

The Cultural Development Fund has signed a financing agreement with Rotana Media Group to support the production of films and television series with a combined value exceeding SAR39 million. The agreement aims to provide Saudi talent with greater presence on screen and support the growth of the film industry in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement covers the production of films and television series spanning social comedy, drama, and action. A number of prominent Saudi actors will star in these productions, which are expected to contribute more than SAR72 million to gross domestic product and create 68 job opportunities to support national talent. Private-sector contributions are also expected to exceed SAR12 million, SPA reported.

The agreement was signed by the Cultural Development Fund in its capacity as a center for financial excellence and empowerment in the cultural sector, in line with the rapid growth of the Kingdom's film sector. Box-office revenues exceeded SAR920 million in 2025, marking an increase of nearly 9% compared with 2024.

Saudi films accounted for about 13% of these revenues, exceeding SAR122 million, through 11 films out of 538 released during the year, according to reports issued by the Film Commission.

These figures reflect the growing presence of local productions and promising opportunities in the sector.

The fund continues to support this growth by providing financial and enabling solutions that empower sector projects and enterprises, encourage private-sector participation, and contribute to sustaining the growth of the cultural sector and enhancing its economic impact.

Culture

Horniman Museum's New Gallery to Open in February

The Nature Gallery hopes to explore people's connection to and reliance on nature (Horniman Museum)
The Nature Gallery hopes to explore people's connection to and reliance on nature (Horniman Museum)
TT
TT

Horniman Museum's New Gallery to Open in February

The Nature Gallery hopes to explore people's connection to and reliance on nature (Horniman Museum)
The Nature Gallery hopes to explore people's connection to and reliance on nature (Horniman Museum)

The Horniman Museum is set to open its new Nature Gallery in February 2027, marking the final phase of the museum's £12.5 million Nature + Love transformation project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The south-east London museum said the fully refurbished space, previously named the Natural History Gallery, had been reimagined to celebrate the variety of life on earth and explore humankind's place within, and impact on nature, according to BBC.

Michael Salter-Church MBE, chairman of the museum, said: “Opening these wonderful new spaces marks the end of the Horniman's extraordinary 125th anniversary year.”

The Nature Gallery will combine more than 2,300 objects from the Horniman's collection, including its famously overstuffed walrus, as well as artist commissions and multisensory activities.

These include a ceiling projection showcasing life on the planet, a display on plastic pollution by a Deptford school and a hands-on nature discovery zone focused on local wildlife.

The museum said the gallery explored human connection to and reliance on nature, stories of extinction and climate change, and ideas about how people can shape the planet's future.

It is one of a number of developments at the Horniman as part of its Nature + Love project, and is being supported by a £30,000 crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than £14,000 to date.