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Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Food Culture Festival across Saudi Arabia

Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Food Culture Festival across Saudi Arabia
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Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Food Culture Festival across Saudi Arabia

Culinary Arts Commission Organizes Food Culture Festival across Saudi Arabia

The Culinary Arts Commission is organizing the Food Culture Festival in collaboration with the Quality of Life Program across three locations in Saudi Arabia: Al-Khobar, Riyadh, and Jeddah, offering a fusion of local and international culinary delights.
The festival will be held in Al-Khobar from January 29 to February 2, in Riyadh from February 5 to 9, and in Jeddah from February 12 to 16, according to SPA.
This event aims to deliver a vibrant and diverse cultural experience through a plethora of engaging activities divided into four distinct zones. The Exhibitors Area will feature 30 booths showcasing global cuisines and products, inviting visitors to indulge in a world of flavors and explore unique items.
The Workshops Area will include sections for bakery, live cooking, and handicrafts. The Theater Area will feature performing arts and world music, while the Kids Area will offer fun and educational activities like cooking workshops and competitions.
Through the Food Culture Festival, the commission aims to heighten cultural appreciation for diverse culinary traditions and foster cultural exchange. By curating an immersive and enriching experience, the festival serves as an ideal destination for individuals and families to discover new flavors inspired by local and international cuisines.
This festival is part of an initiative to diversify entertainment options and cater to the populace's diverse needs. It stands as one of the Quality of Life Program initiatives, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to promote Saudi contributions to arts and culture.

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Culture

Iran Says US, Israeli Strikes Damage 120 Museums, Historic Buildings

First responders inspect a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP)
First responders inspect a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP)
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Iran Says US, Israeli Strikes Damage 120 Museums, Historic Buildings

First responders inspect a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP)
First responders inspect a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP)

US and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least 120 culturally or historically significant sites across the country since the start of the war, the head of Tehran city council's heritage committee said.

"At least 120 museums, historical buildings and cultural sites across various provinces were directly targeted and sustained serious structural damage," said Ahmad Alavi.

He was quoted by state TV as naming UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace -- sometimes likened to Versailles -- as well as Tehran's Marble Palace, Teymourtash house and Saadabad Palace.

One of the capital's most visited sites, the Saadabad Palace complex includes an extensive park and museums dedicated to Iranian history.

In addition to the cultural institutions, it also houses the residences of the Iranian president and governor of Tehran province, with judicial and Revolutionary Guards facilities located nearby.

The United States and Israel launched their campaign against Iran on February 28, killing its supreme leader and setting off a war that has since embroiled practically all of the Middle East.

Iran, whose history spans several millennia, possesses significant cultural heritage that has largely been spared from mass tourism.

According to the UN, at least four of the country's 29 UNESCO-listed sites have been damaged in the war: Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, the Masjed-e Jame mosque in the same city, and the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley.

Culture

Saudi Culture Ministry Launches UK-KSA Arabian Peninsula Cultural Research Fellowships

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Culture Ministry Launches UK-KSA Arabian Peninsula Cultural Research Fellowships

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Ministry of Culture has launched the UK-KSA Arabian Peninsula Cultural Research Fellowships in partnership with Effat University and the National Archives of the United Kingdom, to support archival-based research, advance cultural inquiry on the Arabian Peninsula, and strengthen collaboration between researchers and institutions in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

The program includes a 10-week research residency at the National Archives of the United Kingdom, where participants receive hands-on training in archival methods and gain access to a wide range of archival collections and cultural institutions across the UK. It supports diverse areas of cultural research related to the Arabian Peninsula.

This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s strategic vision for advancing cultural research, reflecting its commitment to fostering both local and international collaboration and promoting meaningful cultural exchange.

The fellowship is open to researchers and cultural heritage specialists capable of conducting independent research in English, regardless of their professional level.

Culture

Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for Riyadh University of Arts

Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for Riyadh University of Arts
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Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for Riyadh University of Arts

Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for Riyadh University of Arts

The Ministry of Culture signed on Thursday a partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama for Riyadh University of Arts (RUA)’s College of Music. The partnership aims to further develop cultural and artistic talent and drive cultural exchange.

Under the terms of the partnership, Guildhall School will work with RUA to co-design undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs spanning music performance, production and education, in addition to training and capability development opportunities for RUA’s faculty body.

The programs will help cultivate and support Saudi talent across a wide range of musical disciplines, as well as provide students with a firm understanding of creative processes, research pathways and professional skills.

Founded in 1880, Guildhall School is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors and production artists. Ranked as number one in Arts, Drama and Music by the Complete University Guide 2025, and in the top three in the world for Music by the QS World University Rankings 2025, Guildhall delivers world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies and ensembles, SPA reported.

The partnership with Guildhall School sits within a series of partnerships for the Riyadh University of Arts and its colleges with leading international institutions to co-design academic programs, collaborate in research, and offer enriching programs in cultural education and development.

In December 2025, RUA announced partnerships between their College of Film and the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Cinematic Arts (SCA); between SOAS University of London and their College of Heritage and Civilization Studies; AMDA College of the Performing Art and RUA’s College of Theater and Performing Art; and between ESSEC Business School and RUA’s College of Cultural Management. A further agreement was signed with the Royal College of Art (RCA) and RUA’s College of Architecture and Design and College of Visual Arts and Photography in January 2026.

Riyadh University of Arts was established by royal decree and is headquartered in Riyadh. Its Board of Trustees is chaired by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. The university is dedicated to advancing education in the fields of culture and the arts, serving as a cornerstone for creative learning and cultural innovation. It aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and vision needed to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s creative economy.

The university will launch its programs in phases, gradually expanding to cover a wide range of fields and specialized disciplines. It will offer a comprehensive academic portfolio that supports continuous education across the arts and culture sectors, including short courses, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, higher diplomas, master’s degrees, and PhDs.