Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris

Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris
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Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris

Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris

The Visual Arts Commission (VAC) has announced the launch of the first international edition of the Dialogues in Contemporary Art “Zawaya Wa Afkar” initiative, scheduled to take place in Paris on Saturday, February 15.

This initiative is part of the commission’s efforts to support Saudi visual artists and promote creative exchange that highlights the richness of the Saudi cultural scene on the global art stage, in line with the National Culture Strategy under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
Titled When the Earth Began to Look at Itself, the first edition draws inspiration from an artwork created by Syn Architects as part of Desert X AlUla. It explores the evolving relationship between humans and nature from a contemporary artistic perspective.
This edition brings together several Saudi artists, as well as international philosophers and curators, in three public discussion sessions. These dialogues aim to delve into innovative artistic strategies that reconsider humanity’s responsibility toward the planet’s environment—an issue that has gained global attention in recent years.
VAC Chief Executive Officer Dina Amin emphasized that the initiative seeks to celebrate the creativity of contemporary Saudi artists and provide a platform for sharing diverse ideas in contemporary art. She noted that bringing together Saudi artists with their international counterparts is intended to inspire meaningful discussions and encourage innovative artistic practices that foster cultural exchange.



Jazan Cultural House Explores Symbolism of Saudi Flag

The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values
The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values
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Jazan Cultural House Explores Symbolism of Saudi Flag

The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values
The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values

The Jazan Cultural House hosted a cultural evening on the Saudi flag, in collaboration with the Cultural Café, a literary partner of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission.

The evening featured a critical reading on the symbolism of the Saudi flag and its ties to national identity and core values. Speakers discussed its historical and cultural significance as a symbol of unity and sovereignty, reflecting themes of faith, strength, and national cohesion.

The reading also explored the flag's role in fostering a sense of belonging and national pride, as well as various interpretations of its significance in cultural and intellectual discourse.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh Region

The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture - SPA
The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh Region

The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture - SPA
The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues its mission to preserve the Kingdom’s architectural heritage by restoring Al-Qalaah Mosque in Hawtat Bani Tamim, Riyadh Region. Built in 1250 AH (1834 CE), this historic landmark is situated within the fortress of Second Saudi State founder Imam Turki bin Abdullah.

The mosque is a prime example of traditional Najdi architecture, featuring stone foundations, mud walls constructed using molded brick techniques, and a roof of tamarisk trunks and palm fronds supported by stone-bead cylindrical columns, SPA reported.

Through the current renovation, the mosque’s area has expanded from 608.68 to 625.78 square meters while maintaining a capacity for 180 worshippers. Executed by specialized Saudi firms under expert engineering supervision, the project balances traditional standards with modern sustainability to ensure the mosque remains a living testament to Islamic and national history.

This initiative aligns with Vision 2030 objectives to rehabilitate historical sites for worship, highlight cultural heritage, and preserve the Kingdom’s authentic architectural identity for future generations.


UNESCO Fears for Fate of Historical Sites during Iran War

Debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace after it was damaged in an Israeli and US strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
Debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace after it was damaged in an Israeli and US strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
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UNESCO Fears for Fate of Historical Sites during Iran War

Debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace after it was damaged in an Israeli and US strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
Debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace after it was damaged in an Israeli and US strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

UNESCO said it is deeply concerned about the fate of world heritage sites in Iran and across the region, after Tehran's Golestan palace, often compared to Versailles, and a historic mosque and palace in Isfahan were damaged in the war.

The United Nations' cultural agency on Wednesday urged all parties to protect the region's outstanding cultural sites, saying four of Iran's 29 world heritage sites had been damaged since the start of the US and Israeli war with Iran.

"UNESCO is deeply concerned by the first impact that the hostilities are already having on many world heritage sites," Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of the World Heritage Centre, told Reuters, adding he was also concerned for sites in Israel, Lebanon and across the Middle East.

Tehran's Golestan palace, damaged in US–Israeli strikes, is testimony to the grandeur of Iran's civilization in the 19th century, he said.

The palace was chosen as the Persian royal residence and seat of power by the Qajar family and shows the introduction of European styles in Persian arts, according to the UNESCO website. The last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, held a coronation ceremony there in 1969.

"We sometimes even compare it with the Versailles Palace in France, for instance, and it has suffered, unfortunately, some damage. We don't know the extent for the moment. But clearly, with the images that we have been able to receive, we can confirm ... it has been affected," Eloundou Assomo said.

Photos of the interior of the palace have shown piles of smashed glass and shards of wood on the floor, and shattered woodwork.

Isfahan was one of Central Asia's most important cities and a key point on the Silk Road trading route. Its Masjed-e Jame (Jameh Mosque) is more than 1,000 years old and shows the development of Islamic art through 12 centuries.

Buildings close to the buffer zone of the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley have also been damaged, UNESCO said.

UNESCO has shared coordinates of key cultural sites to all parties, Eloundou Assomo said, and was monitoring damage.

"We are calling for the protection of all sites of cultural significance ... everything that tells the history of all the civilisations of the 18 countries in the region," he said.