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SDRPY Implements Restoration of Historic Seiyun Palace in Hadhramaut

Seiyun Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that gracefully embodies the authenticity of Yemeni architectural design - SPA
Seiyun Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that gracefully embodies the authenticity of Yemeni architectural design - SPA
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SDRPY Implements Restoration of Historic Seiyun Palace in Hadhramaut

Seiyun Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that gracefully embodies the authenticity of Yemeni architectural design - SPA
Seiyun Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that gracefully embodies the authenticity of Yemeni architectural design - SPA

After years of deterioration that threatened its survival as a historical symbol, Seiyun Palace in Hadhramaut, eastern Yemen, is regaining its original splendor through comprehensive restoration work led by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) to breathe new life into this prominent cultural landmark.

Seiyun Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that gracefully embodies the authenticity of Yemeni architectural design. It has earned a distinguished symbolic status, previously chosen to feature on Yemen’s national currency in recognition of its historical, cultural, and aesthetic value, SPA reported.

Originally constructed as a fortified stronghold to protect the city of Seiyun, the palace underwent several transformations over time and eventually became the official residence of the sultans of the Kathiri state, who once ruled Wadi Hadhramaut.

Despite its historical significance, the palace has not been spared the ravages of time and natural elements. It suffered severe damage, reaching a critical point in 2022 when a large section of its outer wall collapsed, sparking widespread concern over the future of the monument. This incident prompted the local community and authorities to call for its restoration to preserve its identity and beauty.

In response to a request from the Yemeni government and in support of its efforts to protect heritage sites, SDRPY launched a comprehensive project to restore Seiyun Palace. The project is funded by the program and implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Yemen’s General Organization of Antiquities and Museums, with logistical and technical support from Yemen’s Social Fund for Development.

The restoration work included repairing the damaged outer wall and the mudbrick structures that form the palace’s core. Special attention was given to restoring the wooden ceilings, carved doors, and windows that reflect the craftsmanship of Yemeni artisans.

The project also focused on preserving the palace’s distinctive architectural identity by rehabilitating its traditional decorations and wall inscriptions. Local teams of engineers and technicians were trained in routine restoration techniques to ensure long-term maintenance.

The project represents a step toward enhancing development in Hadhramaut and supporting Yemen’s historical and cultural heritage. The palace is now better equipped to welcome large numbers of visitors year-round and to host various cultural events and occasions, making it an important cultural and tourism landmark.

The Seiyun Palace restoration project is part of a broader package of 264 projects and development initiatives implemented by SDRPY across various regions of the country. These initiatives span key sectors such as education, health, transportation, energy, water, agriculture, fisheries, institutional capacity building, and integrated development programs.

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Culture

65 Artists from 37 Countries to Participate in Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026

The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation - SPA
The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation - SPA
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65 Artists from 37 Countries to Participate in Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026

The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation - SPA
The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation - SPA

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced the list of artists participating in the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026, scheduled to open on January 30 in the Jax District of Diriyah.

Titled “In Interludes and Transitions,” this edition draws inspiration from themes of movement, migration, and transformation—forces that have historically shaped pathways of communication and cultural exchange between the Arab region and societies around the world, SPA reported.

The Biennale will feature more than 65 artists from 37 countries and will present 22 newly commissioned works by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. These original pieces, created by artists, musicians, filmmakers, architects, and writers, explore ideas of continuity, resilience, and collective imagination amid periods of profound change.

Chief Executive Officer of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation Aya Al-Bakree explained that the event brings together artists from multiple generations, regions, and disciplines, offering audiences a rich and diverse artistic experience that reflects Diriyah’s growing role as a global cultural hub.

The artistic directors noted that this edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale emphasizes the vital role of art in interpreting contemporary transformations. Over the past year, participating artists and the curatorial team have engaged in in-depth research into the historical contexts of the Arab region, examined the rapid changes reshaping its cultural landscape, and addressed broader intellectual questions with global relevance.

Culture

Louvre Workers Vote to Strike in Another Blow to the Paris Museum 

This photograph shows a banner which reads "Louvre Museum on Strike" outside the entrance to the Louvre as museum workers voted to go on strike against increasingly deteriorating working conditions and the declining visitor experience at the world famous museum, in Paris on December 15, 2025. (AFP)
This photograph shows a banner which reads "Louvre Museum on Strike" outside the entrance to the Louvre as museum workers voted to go on strike against increasingly deteriorating working conditions and the declining visitor experience at the world famous museum, in Paris on December 15, 2025. (AFP)
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Louvre Workers Vote to Strike in Another Blow to the Paris Museum 

This photograph shows a banner which reads "Louvre Museum on Strike" outside the entrance to the Louvre as museum workers voted to go on strike against increasingly deteriorating working conditions and the declining visitor experience at the world famous museum, in Paris on December 15, 2025. (AFP)
This photograph shows a banner which reads "Louvre Museum on Strike" outside the entrance to the Louvre as museum workers voted to go on strike against increasingly deteriorating working conditions and the declining visitor experience at the world famous museum, in Paris on December 15, 2025. (AFP)

Workers at the Louvre Museum voted Monday to strike over working conditions and other complaints, dealing another blow to the Paris landmark and home of the Mona Lisa after an embarrassing jewelry heist in October.

The CFDT union said the vote was taken at a meeting of 400 workers on Monday morning and that they decided to strike for the day.

The world’s most-visited museum didn’t open as scheduled and turned people away. A notice on the Louvre's website said, “the museum is closed for the moment.”

“It's really sad, because I was really looking forward to this,” said Lindsey Hall, a bitterly disappointed would-be visitor from Sacramento, California. She had been planning to enjoy the museum's huge collection of art and artifacts with a friend, describing it as “one of those life experiences you crave.”

“This is just an epic collection of art and something that every human should see,” she said. “I can see the other side of it, like if you are the person that works in the museum and how that can be, like day after day after day.”

The strike vote followed talks last week between labor unions and government officials, including Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Labor leaders said the talks had not alleviated all of their concerns about staffing and financing for the museum that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

“Visiting the museum has become an obstacle course,” said Alexis Fritche, general secretary of the culture wing of the CFDT union.

For employees, the daylight jewel heist crystallized long-standing concerns that crowding and thin staffing are undermining security and working conditions at the Louvre.

Thieves used a basket lift to reach the Louvre’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with pieces of the French crown jewels. A Senate inquiry released last week said the thieves escaped with barely 30 seconds to spare and pointed fingers of blame at broken cameras, outdated equipment, understaffed control rooms and poor coordination that initially sent police to the wrong location.

In a statement, the CFDT said employees wants more staffing for security and to welcome visitors, improved working conditions, stable long-term budgets for the Louvre and leadership that “truly listens to staff.”

Yvan Navarro of the CGT union complained that staff numbers have continually decreased while visitor numbers have increased.

“People come to Paris to visit the museums. So the visitor numbers go up, the tariffs and the prices go up, because everything is becoming more expensive, but the salaries and the numbers of staffers don't go up so obviously you reach a point like today, a day of anger,” he said.

Culture

Saudi Media Ministry Launches Sudanese Culture Week as Part of 'Global Harmony 2' Initiative 

The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues. (SPA)
The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues. (SPA)
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Saudi Media Ministry Launches Sudanese Culture Week as Part of 'Global Harmony 2' Initiative 

The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues. (SPA)
The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launched on Sunday the Sudanese Culture Week as part of the "Global Harmony 2" initiative, organized in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the Quality of Life Program.

The event is part of a series of cultural activities showcasing 14 global cultures, held at Al-Suwaidi Park, one of the Riyadh Season venues.

The events began with a celebratory parade showcasing elements of Sudanese culture, featuring performances of traditional music, including the rhythms of the Dalooka and melodies of the Rababa, alongside scenes from a Sudanese bridal procession.

Sudanese Culture Week includes a diverse program of musical concerts, entertainment segments, and cultural pavilions, with participation from a selection of Sudanese singers and influencers presenting activities that reflect the cultural diversity of Sudan’s regions and communities.

The event stage hosted the first musical concerts, attended by thousands of visitors, who engaged with Rababa performances by traditional artists and popular social occasion songs from Sudan.

Sudanese Culture Week marks the final week of events under the Global Harmony 2 initiative, building on the program's success in promoting cultural exchange in the Kingdom, reflecting the values of coexistence and cultural openness embraced by the Kingdom.

The events will continue on Monday with a program featuring a variety of cultural and musical performances.