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Minted Narratives Exhibition in Riyadh Traces 1,300 Years of Saudi Coinage, Culture

The exhibition concludes with "The Coin That Was Never Minted", provoking reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form. - SPA
The exhibition concludes with "The Coin That Was Never Minted", provoking reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form. - SPA
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Minted Narratives Exhibition in Riyadh Traces 1,300 Years of Saudi Coinage, Culture

The exhibition concludes with "The Coin That Was Never Minted", provoking reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form. - SPA
The exhibition concludes with "The Coin That Was Never Minted", provoking reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form. - SPA

The Museums Commission has inaugurated the “Minted Narratives: Saudi Arabia’s Legacy in Coins” exhibition at the National Museum in Riyadh, drawing a distinguished audience of cultural, historical, and economic figures.

Running until December 16, the exhibition presents a rich journey spanning more than 1,300 years of history, art, and economic transformation traced through the evolution of coins from the pre-Islamic era to the modern Saudi riyal, SPA reported.

Advisor to the Ministry of Culture at the Museums Commission Mona Khazindar described the exhibition as a visual and chronological documentation of the Kingdom’s and the Islamic world’s story through the lens of coinage and minting.

She emphasized that coins carry more than monetary value; they reflect historical, religious, cultural, and social narratives, bearing witness to the rise of civilizations, the unity of nations, and the Saudi state’s own journey of establishment, unification, and development.

Khazindar noted the exhibition offers the public a rare opportunity to read history through coins—a cultural artifact as significant as manuscripts or antiquities.

The exhibition features an exceptional collection of rare coins from the personal collection of Dr. Alain Baron, one of the most prominent collectors of historical coins, alongside unique selections from the Ministry of Culture’s holdings. It also includes contemporary artworks by Swiss artist Zimoun, inspired by the symbolism and visual language of money.

Spanning seven main themes, the exhibition begins with "Pre-Islamic Coins", highlighting symbols and meanings related to trade and authority, followed by "The Birth of Islamic Coins and Coins in the Islamic Dynasties", illustrating the unity and diversity of Islamic civilization over the centuries.

The section "Women in Coins" showcases the presence of women in numismatic memory, while "Artisanal Coins – Minting Art and Culture" explores the intersection of aesthetic value and the economic function of currency. Visitors can also explore "Treasures and Coins of Saudi Arabia", telling the story of unification and the building of the modern state, and "Coins and Contemporary Art", where currency becomes a source of creative inspiration.

The exhibition concludes with "The Coin That Was Never Minted", provoking reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form.

To enrich the visitor experience, the exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive cultural program featuring seminars, workshops, expert-led discussions, and interactive activities for children and families. Dedicated programs for people with disabilities are also offered, in partnership with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities (APD) and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, ensuring a fully inclusive and engaging environment.

This exhibition is part of the Museums Commission's broader mission to preserve and present national heritage through a contemporary lens, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global cultural stage. It also aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a knowledge-based society deeply rooted in its heritage while embracing cultural and human dialogue on an international level.

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Culture

Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
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Top Prosecutor: Louvre Heist Probe Still Aims to Recover Jewelry

FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - People wait for the Louvre museum to open, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French investigators remain determined to find the imperial jewels stolen from the Louvre in October, a prosecutor has told AFP.

Police believe they have arrested all four thieves who carried out the brazen October 19 robbery, making off with jewelry worth an estimated $102 million from the world-famous museum.

"The interrogations have not produced any new investigative elements," top Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said this week, three months after the broad-daylight heist.

But the case remains a top priority, she underlined.

"Our main objective is still to recover the jewelry," she said.

That Sunday morning in October, thieves parked a mover's truck with an extendable ladder below the Louvre's Apollo Gallery housing the French crown jewels.

Two of the thieves climbed up the ladder, broke a window and used angle grinders to cut glass display booths containing the treasures, while the other two waited below, investigators say.

The four then fled on high-powered motor scooters, dropping a diamond-and-emerald crown in their hurry.

But eight other items of jewelry -- including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise -- remain at large.

Beccuau said investigators were keeping an open mind as to where the loot might be.

"We don't have any signals indicating that the jewelry is likely to have crossed the border," she said, though she added: "Anything is possible."

Detectives benefitted from contacts with "intermediaries in the art world, including internationally" as they pursued their probe.

"They have ways of receiving warning signals about networks of receivers of stolen goods, including abroad," Beccuau said.

As for anyone coming forward to hand over the jewels, that would be considered to be "active repentance, which could be taken into consideration" later during a trial, she said.

A fifth suspect, a 38-year-old woman who is the partner of one of the men, has been charged with being an accomplice but was released under judicial supervision pending a trial.

Investigators still had no idea if someone had ordered the theft.

"We refuse to have any preconceived notions about what might have led the individuals concerned to commit this theft," the prosecutor said.

But she said detectives and investigating magistrates were resolute.

"We haven't said our last word. It will take as long as it takes," she said.

Culture

Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
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Desert X AlUla Unveils Acclaimed Lineup of Saudi and Global Artists in 2026 Edition

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA
Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks. SPA

Arts AlUla has announced the lineup of Saudi and international artists participating in the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla, the international open-air art exhibition held in collaboration with Desert X.

Running from January 16 to February 28, the exhibition will feature an exceptional selection of specially commissioned artworks, ranging from large-scale installations and sound pieces that stretch across and beneath the desert landscape, to kinetic works and immersive interactive experiences.

The showcase reflects a deep connection to AlUla’s unique environment, its dramatic natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

Desert X AlUla, the region’s first public art biennial, will feature 11 artists presenting diverse perspectives, materials, and artistic traditions in their large-scale works in its 2026 edition.

The program offers a delightful mix of performances and interactive family activities, alongside dedicated programs that blend sound, movement, storytelling, and play.

Also, the visitor pavilion will host a live music program curated in collaboration with AlUla Music Hub, creating moments where art, nature, and community converge in a shared experience shaped by rhythm and a strong sense of place.

Arts AlUla confirmed that Desert X AlUla 2026 will be open to the public.

Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
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Saudi Heritage Commission Announces Discovery of 20 Rock Engravings in Soudah Peaks Project

The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)
The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Soudah Development, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Tuesday the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites within the Soudah Peaks area.

Spanning more than 636.5 square kilometers across Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa, the project area is now recognized as home to some of the region’s oldest cultural landmarks. The newly identified sites feature inscriptions and rock carvings estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, offering valuable insights into the region’s rich history.

The findings include Thamudic inscriptions, along with vivid depictions of ibex, hyenas, and ostriches, as well as scenes of hunters, dancers, palm trees, and weapons, reflecting the environmental and social practices of the ancient communities that once inhabited the area.

The survey forms part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Heritage Commission and Soudah Development. Conducted in four scientific phases, the initiative began with data collection and site analysis, concluding with the documentation and classification of high-value archaeological sites in preparation for future development and preservation efforts.

Soudah Development remains committed to protecting and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the project area. The company continues to work towards creating an integrated cultural and tourism experience that reflects the authenticity and historical richness of the region, in line with its vision to transform Soudah Peaks into a premier luxury mountain destination rooted in heritage.