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Spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Announces Launch of Misk Heritage Museum 'Asaan' in Diriyah 

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
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Spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Announces Launch of Misk Heritage Museum 'Asaan' in Diriyah 

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)

Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz, spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, announced the launch of the programming for the Misk Heritage Museum "Asaan," reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah—one of the Kingdom's most important heritage sites—aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. Supported by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, "Misk," the museum will significantly contribute to cultural sustainability through its diverse programs and activities.

As a non-profit organization, the museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse heritage.

It will feature a wide range of heritage artifacts and collectibles displayed in interactive exhibitions and inspiring spaces, offering visitors immersive experiences that take them on a journey through time. These experiences aim to foster a deep connection to cultural roots, making heritage vibrant, relevant, and profound for both current and future generations.

The museum's mission aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing cultural sustainability and the preservation of Saudi identity.

At the announcement, Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz, Chairperson of the Asaan, stated: "Our goal is to cultivate a generation that takes pride in its heritage and actively works to preserve and revitalize it. Asaan will showcase the Kingdom's rich legacy, including artifacts, customs, and societal values. This commitment reflects our national identity, connects our past with the present, and ensures that our heritage is sustained for future generations."

Asaan will span over 40,000 square meters and feature an innovative design by Zaha Hadid Architects. The design, inspired by traditional Najdi architectural styles, will reflect the Kingdom's identity while embodying modern creativity.

The museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse heritage. (SPA)

Upon its opening, the museum will house thousands of heritage artifacts and collectibles that tell vivid stories of the past and provide insights into the ways of life experienced by Saudi generations throughout history.

In collaboration with entities affiliated with the Misk Foundation, the museum aims to benefit from global expertise and establish partnerships to ensure integrated efforts in cultural preservation. These collaborations will strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in investing in its cultural heritage.

The museum will host various spaces, including permanent exhibitions, art galleries, and an arts courtyard where visitors can connect with Saudi Arabia's rich and multifaceted heritage. It will also feature "Asaan’s Majlis," a space dedicated to fostering dialogue, sharing ideas, and hosting workshops focused on reviving heritage.

With conservation labs and interactive learning programs, the museum will create immersive experiences that bring the Kingdom’s history and culture to life in dynamic and accessible ways.

The Asaan Museum is set to become a key landmark in Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. Through its partnership with the Misk Foundation, Asaan will leverage global expertise to further boost the Kingdom's reputation as a leader in cultural heritage preservation and celebration.

Princess Sara’s unwavering commitment to preserving Saudi heritage is evident in the innovative and contemporary approaches championed by Asaan. She actively supports cultural programs that revive Saudi heritage through artistic and social initiatives. She is also dedicated to empowering individuals, particularly youth and people with disabilities, by enhancing their educational and professional skills. These efforts align with the broader goals of the non-profit sector under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Culture

Jeddah Cultural Centers Offer Quality Programs to Support Arts, Creativity

Jeddah is witnessing growing cultural activity, reflected in the programs and events offered by cultural centers and institutions. (SPA)
Jeddah is witnessing growing cultural activity, reflected in the programs and events offered by cultural centers and institutions. (SPA)
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Jeddah Cultural Centers Offer Quality Programs to Support Arts, Creativity

Jeddah is witnessing growing cultural activity, reflected in the programs and events offered by cultural centers and institutions. (SPA)
Jeddah is witnessing growing cultural activity, reflected in the programs and events offered by cultural centers and institutions. (SPA)

Jeddah is witnessing growing cultural activity, reflected in the programs and events offered by cultural centers and institutions throughout the year, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.

These include art exhibitions, creative workshops, literary and knowledge-based gatherings, performing arts shows, and initiatives targeting children and youth, providing talents with spaces to learn, experiment, and express themselves while strengthening interaction between creatives and audiences.

The importance of these programs lies in their ability to discover talent and develop creative skills. They provide practitioners and enthusiasts with opportunities for training, networking, and the exchange of expertise, while opening avenues for young artists to showcase their work and reach audiences.

Jeddah's cultural scene derives its distinctive character from the city's identity and historical diversity. For centuries, the city has remained a meeting point for people from diverse cultures, which has influenced its arts, architecture, and social heritage, giving the contemporary cultural scene a rich foundation that draws inspiration from the past and presents it in a modern language combining the authenticity of place with contemporary creative trends.

Cultural programs also help build bridges between generations by presenting local heritage in contemporary forms and giving children and young people opportunities to discover and practice the arts in stimulating environments. This supports the sustainability of cultural knowledge and raises awareness of the value of heritage and national identity.

Culture

Mafia Link Feared in Sicilian Grand Master Theft

A drone view shows the grounds of the Museo Regionale di Messina, where four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina were stolen overnight, in Messina, Sicily, Italy, August 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the grounds of the Museo Regionale di Messina, where four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina were stolen overnight, in Messina, Sicily, Italy, August 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Mafia Link Feared in Sicilian Grand Master Theft

A drone view shows the grounds of the Museo Regionale di Messina, where four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina were stolen overnight, in Messina, Sicily, Italy, August 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the grounds of the Museo Regionale di Messina, where four artworks by 15th-century painter Antonello da Messina were stolen overnight, in Messina, Sicily, Italy, August 16, 2026. (Reuters)

The theft of four paintings by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina may have involved organized crime and raised troubling questions about security at a museum in the Sicilian artist's hometown, a local official said on Monday.

Enzo Caruso, Messina's councilor for culture, said it was difficult to understand how thieves could have removed the works in a matter of minutes without detailed knowledge of the museum's layout.

"It's a very, very strange affair," Caruso told Reuters.

The theft on Saturday has shocked Italy and revived memories of the infamous 1969 disappearance of a masterpiece by Caravaggio from a Palermo church -- a case long associated with Sicily's Cosa Nostra mafia ‌and never solved.

TOO ‌FAMOUS TO SELL

Caruso said the stolen Antonello works were ‌so ⁠famous that selling them ⁠even on the black market would be virtually impossible, raising the possibility that they could be used as bargaining chips or collateral in criminal dealings.

"The Mafia? It's possible they might try to blackmail the state itself in order to return them. These are the kinds of dynamics that ordinary people never get to see," he said.

He said another possibility was that the paintings could be used as guarantees or currency within the criminal underworld.

The thieves entered Messina's ⁠Accascina Regional Museum on Saturday evening, while the city was celebrating ‌a religious festival that brought thousands into the streets.

The ‌burglary only came to light some two hours later when tourists found two Antonello paintings, apparently discarded ‌by the thieves, leaning against the museum railings.

Renato Schifani, the president of Sicily, issued ‌a statement to say the museum's video surveillance system and alarm had been working normally, adding that an internal investigation was underway to see if any museum staff had been involved.

LOST PAINTINGS FOUND IN THE PAST

Caruso questioned how well prepared the thieves had been, pointing to the fact that two ‌paintings had been left in the street. "Perhaps they did not anticipate how heavy they would be. These are wooden panels ... stealing them ⁠is not as ⁠easy as stealing a canvas that can be cut from its frame," he said.

He also said a professional art thief would normally take greater care handling works worth tens of millions of euros, saying no attempt had been made to protect the paintings.

Italy's crack squad of art police are heading to Messina to take on the case, just three days after helping to retrieve paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse and Paul Cezanne stolen earlier this year from a museum near Parma.

While the Rome-based art theft police have established a strong track record in finding missing masterpieces, Sicily is still haunted by the memory of the missing Caravaggio.

"I have the feeling the thieves may be keeping the (Antonellos) hidden while things calm down," Caruso said.

"Or perhaps they immediately took the sea route," he added, noting that the museum lies close to the Strait of Messina.

"The hope is that sooner or later they reappear."

Culture

Palestinians Celebrate Jerusalem Festival Return After Gaza War Hiatus

Palestinian musicians take part in a final rehearsal before the opening of the Jerusalem Festival, held at the Yabous Cultural Center after a two-year hiatus, in East Jerusalem on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinian musicians take part in a final rehearsal before the opening of the Jerusalem Festival, held at the Yabous Cultural Center after a two-year hiatus, in East Jerusalem on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Palestinians Celebrate Jerusalem Festival Return After Gaza War Hiatus

Palestinian musicians take part in a final rehearsal before the opening of the Jerusalem Festival, held at the Yabous Cultural Center after a two-year hiatus, in East Jerusalem on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinian musicians take part in a final rehearsal before the opening of the Jerusalem Festival, held at the Yabous Cultural Center after a two-year hiatus, in East Jerusalem on August 16, 2026. (AFP)

Three years after its last edition, hundreds of fans are again able to enjoy the Jerusalem Festival, a Palestinian cultural celebration which had been on hold because of the horrors of the Gaza war.

The event, which will run for two months, opened on Sunday with a tribute to the late Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.

At Yabous Cultural Center, in the Israeli-annexed east of the city, the Jerusalem Arabic Music Ensemble played a selection of Rahbani's work.

"An evening dedicated to Ziad Rahbani represents a major part of our memory. Jerusalem needs this kind of event," filmmaker Yousef al-Salhi told AFP.

The Lebanese musician and playwright, the son of iconic singer Fairuz and a musical pioneer in his own right, died last year aged 69.

Throughout the evening, Rahbani's repertoire, from mawwal --slow Arabic free-form vocal music-- to lively Levantine folk-pop, enthused the audience.

The last edition of the festival was held in the summer of 2023, before the war in the Gaza Strip erupted following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

"We insist on coming back... Today we return to give people hope. The festival brings hope and brings people together," said musician Suheil Khoury, chairman of the board of the Yabous Cultural Centre.

The festival is now four decades old, though the city's tumultuous past means this is only the 30th edition, with several wars as well as the intifadas, or Palestinian uprisings, of the 1980, 90s and 2000s forcing it to pause.

The festival will continue with musical performances, cultural talks and art exhibitions taking place at various locations across east Jerusalem until October 15.

"Everyone is thirsty for this kind of gathering amid the difficult circumstances we are going through -- the genocidal war, restrictions on Jerusalem and the West Bank, and the violence being perpetrated against us," Mona al-Dajani, an academic researcher who attended the opening, said.

Moussa al-Qawasmi, a resident of east Jerusalem, was enthusiastic to attend an event promoting Palestinian culture.

"They (Israel) don't want us to exist, but no, we are always ready... we will continue to celebrate, sing and dance."