Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Qatar

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Qatar
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Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Qatar

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Qatar

The Ministry of Culture is hosting the Saudi Cultural Week from February 18 to 21, 2025, at Darb Al Saai, Doha, in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Culture. This unmissable event brings the Kingdom’s Year of Handicrafts 2025 into the spotlight. Giving visitors an insight into the country’s diverse cultural heritage, the Saudi Cultural Week will highlight the shared values between the two nations.
Several aspects of Saudi culture will be showcased by various commissions under the Ministry of Culture and Saudi cultural institutions, SPA reported.
A group of 10 skilled Saudi artisans will present traditional arts and handicrafts, including Al-Hasawi Bisht weaving and tailoring (a traditional men’s outer cloak), Al Sadu weaving (a traditional textile), and Iqal crafting (a traditional headband). Workshops will be held and organized to increase recognition of these local art forms, featuring collaborations between Qatari and Saudi artisans.
Attendees will have the chance to discover traditional Saudi fashion and view the finest designs by leading Saudi designers. Blending traditional attire with a modern perspective, these pieces will be available for purchase.
Celebrating Saudi Arabia’s cinematic heritage, the Film Commission will be screening a selection of short films. Audience will be treated to a cinematic journey through stories that capture the essence of Saudi creativity and the country’s diverse cultural landscape.
In addition, guests will have the chance to enjoy a variety of traditional performances, ranging from music and theatre to poetry, as well as Arabic calligraphy and manuscript exhibitions with a special focus on calligraphy pens and Muqahar paper (traditional polished paper). Exhibition 13/16 will also be on show, with captivating photography and video documenting Saudi Arabia’s vibrant culture.
Moreover, the event will feature live culinary demonstrations from five top Saudi chefs. Including some of the most famous dishes from various regions, visitors can sample and savour authentic Saudi flavours in person and be inspired to cook these recipes at home. A special beverage corner will also be set up to serve traditional drinks, such as Saudi coffee – a cultural symbol of the Kingdom’s generosity and hospitality.
Saudi Cultural Week in Qatar is a celebration of heritage and fosters dialogue and collaboration. The event will include an array of activities and exhibitions showcasing the Kingdom's culture, contemporary art, architecture, culinary artistry, and more, providing a platform for shared cultural values and ongoing cooperation between the two nations.



Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Syria underlined the strength of their cultural relationship during high-level meetings held in Damascus on Thursday, on the sidelines of the opening of the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, where the Kingdom is participating as guest of honor.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan at the Conference Palace in the capital.

Earlier the same day, Prince Badr met with his Syrian counterpart, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh, during an official visit to attend the fair. T

he Saudi minister congratulated Syria on hosting the exhibition and expressed his wishes for continued prosperity, progress, and stability for the Syrian government and people.

Both meetings highlighted the depth of cultural relations between the two countries, the importance of expanding joint cultural cooperation across various fields, and the alignment of positions on issues of mutual interest in a way that serves both nations.

The Saudi delegation included senior officials and advisers, among them representatives from the Royal Court, the Ministry of Culture, and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, reflecting broad institutional engagement in the visit.

In the evening, Prince Badr attended the opening ceremony of the fair’s special session, held under the patronage and in the presence of al-Sharaa. The event drew wide official and cultural participation, including Arab ministers, political and intellectual figures, and a distinguished group of writers and cultural figures.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Badr thanked “our brothers in Syria for their generous hospitality and their efforts in organizing the Damascus International Book Fair.”

The minister also inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion at the fair in the presence of the Syrian minister of culture and the Qatari minister of culture.

Saudi Arabia’s guest-of-honor participation continues until Feb. 16 and reflects its growing prominence and leadership in the Arab and global cultural landscape.

This participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which places culture at the heart of national development, viewing it as a space for dialogue, a bridge for civilizational communication, and a tool for strengthening ties among Arab peoples.

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is leading the Kingdom’s participation, highlighting the development of the cultural sector and reaffirming the central role of books as carriers of knowledge and awareness.

The Saudi pavilion boasts a comprehensive cultural program featuring intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscript exhibition, traditional Saudi fashion displays, hospitality corners, archaeological replicas, and performing arts that express the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

On the sidelines of the visit, Prince Badr, accompanied by Minister Saleh, toured the National Museum of Damascus, which houses rare artifacts spanning prehistoric eras, ancient Syrian civilizations, classical and Islamic periods, as well as traditional and modern art.


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.