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Saudi Arabia Inscribes Cultural Practices Related to Taif Roses on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The move reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability, and passing it on to future generations - SPA
The move reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability, and passing it on to future generations - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Inscribes Cultural Practices Related to Taif Roses on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The move reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability, and passing it on to future generations - SPA
The move reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability, and passing it on to future generations - SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced that Saudi Arabia has successfully inscribed "the cultural practices related to Taif roses" on the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Prince Badr stressed that the unlimited support provided by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Saudi cultural sector has significantly boosted the global presence of Saudi culture. This registration, he added, reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its sustainability, and passing it on to future generations, SPA reported.
The Taif rose joins other elements of Saudi intangible cultural heritage inscribed on the list, including Alardah, Majlis, Arabic coffee, falconry, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, date palm, Sadu weaving, Arabic calligraphy, Alheda'a, Khawlani coffee, metal engraving, and the Harees dish.
Taif roses are a vital cultural and social element intertwined with the lives of the people of Taif. Their cultivation, which spans centuries, and processing are integral to daily activities, deeply reflected in the region's social and traditional practices. Community members gather in the rose fields to partake in the harvest, creating an opportunity for social interaction and the intergenerational transfer of agricultural wisdom.
Taif rose products, particularly rose water and essential oils, play a key role in social events and local traditions. The annual Taif Rose Festival serves as a vibrant celebration where residents and visitors come together to honor this rich heritage, allowing the local community to showcase its products and host events that emphasize pride in cultural identity.
The inscription of the Taif rose with UNESCO underscores its significance as a cherished aspect of Saudi culture and contributes to a global understanding of the intricate connections between cultural heritage and social practices. It aligns with the Heritage Commission's commitment to preserving this cultural legacy and promoting international cultural exchange, a key objective of the National Strategy for Culture under the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

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Culture

Cultural Camp at King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Showcases Saudi Heritage

The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity - SPA
The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity - SPA
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Cultural Camp at King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Showcases Saudi Heritage

The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity - SPA
The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity - SPA

The cultural camp is a key feature of the 10th King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held in Al-Sayahid desert. The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity, according to SPA.

It offers a range of programs, including live performances and interactive events, that highlight camels' historical significance in Arab culture and illustrate the values of patience, strength, and belonging.

The camp has attracted over 2,000 guests from 71 nationalities, emphasizing its global appeal as a cultural platform for diversity and tradition.

Visitors engage with cultural content through innovative methods that merge authenticity with modern technology, enhancing awareness of the camel's cultural legacy. This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by preserving heritage and connecting younger generations with their roots.

Culture

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Announces 25 Participating Artists for Seventh Edition

The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program - SPA
The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program - SPA
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Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Announces 25 Participating Artists for Seventh Edition

The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program - SPA
The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program - SPA

Under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Art, Tuwaiq Sculpture has announced the selection of 25 artists for the seventh edition of the annual sculpture symposium and exhibition, taking place from January 10 to February 22, 2026.

This year’s edition unfolds under the curatorial theme “Traces of What Will Be,” inviting artists to reflect on how sculptural form can express the physical, cultural and conceptual traces that shape the future of cities and communities, SPA reported.

A total of 25 artists from 18 countries, including Saudi artists, have been selected for the seventh edition. Their proposals reflect a diverse range of artistic approaches, responding to the theme through explorations of transformation, place, and materiality.

Director of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium Sarah Alruwayti said: "The seventh edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture received more than 590 applications, reflecting the cultural diversity and global interest in the symposium. The selection of the 25 participating artists was carried out by a jury of industry experts and specialists. Their proposals show meaningful engagement with the theme and reflect the strength and diversity of contemporary sculptural practice. We look forward to welcoming them to Riyadh for the creation of new works that will become lasting additions to the city.”

Building on the evolving material practice of the symposium, Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 introduces two sculpting categories: granite with optional stainless-steel integration and reclaimed metal. Twenty artists will work in granite, while five will create new works in reclaimed metal. Over four weeks, they will produce large-scale sculptures that will later be added to Riyadh Art’s permanent public art collection.

The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program, inviting visitors to witness the creation of artworks and take part in panel discussions and workshops. The symposium will conclude with a public exhibition showcasing the completed sculptures from its seventh edition.

Culture

ALECSO Celebrates Opening of Arabic Calligraphy Center in Saudi Arabia

Arabic calligraphy adorns wrcades, Walls of the Grand Mosque of Makkah - SPA
Arabic calligraphy adorns wrcades, Walls of the Grand Mosque of Makkah - SPA
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ALECSO Celebrates Opening of Arabic Calligraphy Center in Saudi Arabia

Arabic calligraphy adorns wrcades, Walls of the Grand Mosque of Makkah - SPA
Arabic calligraphy adorns wrcades, Walls of the Grand Mosque of Makkah - SPA

The Arab League of Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) congratulated Saudi Arabia on the opening of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy in Madinah on December 22, 2025.

In a statement, ALECSO called the center a significant addition to the Arab and Islamic cultural landscape, noting its role in preserving Arabic calligraphy and enhancing its global presence, SPA reported.

This achievement reflects the Kingdom's commitment to culture and heritage, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives of fostering cultural creativity and reinforcing Arabic identity.

ALECSO emphasized that such institutions serve as global bridges for cultural exchange and ensure the relevance of traditional arts through dedicated research and training facilities.