Culinary Arts Commission Launches 'Irth' Store, Cafe in Three Saudi Cities

The first "Irth" stores are set to open in Madinah and Jeddah in mid-September. (SPA)
The first "Irth" stores are set to open in Madinah and Jeddah in mid-September. (SPA)
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Culinary Arts Commission Launches 'Irth' Store, Cafe in Three Saudi Cities

The first "Irth" stores are set to open in Madinah and Jeddah in mid-September. (SPA)
The first "Irth" stores are set to open in Madinah and Jeddah in mid-September. (SPA)

The Culinary Arts Commission announced on Monday the launch of "Irth," a new store and cafe concept celebrating and supporting Saudi Arabia's culinary heritage.

With locations in Madinah, Jeddah, and Riyadh, "Irth", meaning "heritage" in Arabic, aims to provide a platform for local chefs and producers to showcase their talents and products.

The initiative seeks to support and promote local chefs by featuring unique Saudi dishes and offering a space for local producers to showcase and sell their products to a broader audience.

The first "Irth" stores are set to open in Madinah and Jeddah in mid-September, with the Riyadh branch scheduled to follow in October, according to the commission.

The commission hopes to encourage culinary innovations and elevate the profile of Saudi cuisine both locally and globally through this project. "Irth" is envisioned as a hub for local culinary talent, allowing Saudi chefs to present creative interpretations of traditional dishes and fostering collaboration and innovation among local producers and food industry specialists.



UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
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UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA

The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of regional and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in historic Al-Hofuf.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the Bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families, SPA reported.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO's participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the Bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.


Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
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Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, have toured the National Museum of Damascus during the Kingdom’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The ministers observed on Thursday the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art.

A particular focus was placed on the Arab-Islamic wing, featuring significant artifacts from the Umayyad period.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.


Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair
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Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who is the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Board Chairman, has inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The inauguration took place on Thursday in the Syrian capital in the presence of Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.

Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission Chief Executive Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Wasil affirmed that the Kingdom's presence as guest of honor at the fair reflects its leading role in the Arab cultural landscape and embodies its belief in the role of culture as a bridge for communication, a space for dialogue, and a tool for supporting joint cultural initiatives.

He explained that the Kingdom's presence in Damascus affirms the depth of Saudi-Syrian relations, based on partnership and mutual respect, and stems from the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening cultural exchange.

The Kingdom's pavilion showcases the cultural and creative diversity of the Saudi cultural and literary scene through a comprehensive cultural program that includes intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscripts exhibition, a Saudi fashion corner, a hospitality corner, and a corner displaying archaeological replicas, in addition to Saudi performing arts performances that express the depth of the Kingdom's cultural heritage.

The pavilion offers visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to explore aspects of Saudi culture in its literary, heritage, and human dimensions within a cultural experience presented in a unifying Arab spirit, affirming that culture remains one of the most effective means of fostering understanding and building shared meaning.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met on Thursday with Prince Badr at the Conference Palace in Damascus.

The meeting was attended on the Saudi side by Advisor at the Royal Court Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, along with other officials.