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‘AlUla Designathon’ Blends Creativity, Heritage, Desert Inspiration

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
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‘AlUla Designathon’ Blends Creativity, Heritage, Desert Inspiration

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla is launching a pioneering initiative celebrating the creative dialogue between heritage and contemporary design through “AlUla Designathon,” a three-day journey of creativity, exploration, and innovation aimed at boosting AlUla’s position as a global hub for design and creativity, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Scheduled to take place from November 21 to 23 at Design Space AlUla, the program seeks to empower emerging Saudi designers by providing them with an inspiring, collaborative environment that fosters artistic and professional growth while celebrating cultural diversity.

Drawing inspiration from Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” reaffirming AlUla’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant design ecosystem that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.

AlUla Designathon focuses on supporting young Saudi talents by offering opportunities to engage with AlUla’s creative landscape, heritage, crafts, and natural beauty under this year’s theme, “The Ingenuity of the Human Hand.” The theme highlights the intersection of human ingenuity, authenticity, and renewal.

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design.

Participants will take part in three days of field visits and workshops, beginning with inspiration tours and ideation sessions, followed by prototype development workshops and concluding with project presentations before experts and representatives from the Royal Commission for AlUla.

Organizers also announced the extension of the registration deadline to November 5, allowing more Saudi designers to join this creative event, one of the Kingdom’s leading cultural initiatives in contemporary design.

Through Designathon AlUla, the city reaffirms its role as a global destination for creativity and design, advancing national talent and building a sustainable design ecosystem that intertwines AlUla’s timeless heritage with future innovation.

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Culture

Makkah Quran Museum Displays Rare ‘Blue Quran’ Manuscript

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
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Makkah Quran Museum Displays Rare ‘Blue Quran’ Manuscript

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is displaying a rare folio from the famed “Al-Muṣḥaf Al-Azraq” (Blue Quran), featuring verses from Surah Al-Baqarah, from the end of verse 37 to the beginning of verse 42, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The exhibit highlights the richness of Islamic Quranic heritage and its ancient artistic legacy.

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. It was written in pure gold ink in early Kufic script on a deep blue background, reflecting a distinctive artistic style that underscores early Muslims’ reverence for the Quranic text and their dedication to the aesthetics of its calligraphy.

Dating back to the 9th century, the manuscript holds exceptional historical and scholarly value. It stands as a testament to the development of Arabic calligraphy and illumination during the early Islamic period.

Surviving pages of the Blue Quran are extremely rare and are now dispersed among a limited number of museums and private collections worldwide.

The display forms part of the museum’s efforts to introduce visitors to the history of the mushaf and the artistic stages of its transcription, offering access to extraordinary examples of Quranic manuscripts.

The initiative aims to deepen cultural awareness and enrich the experience of visitors to the Hira Cultural District from within the Kingdom and abroad.

The Holy Quran Museum serves as a cultural and educational landmark, highlighting the history of the Quran and its journey since the revelation. It houses rare manuscripts and historic copies of the Quran, alongside interactive exhibits and modern technologies that reflect Muslims’ enduring devotion to the Quran throughout the centuries, in a location closely associated with the dawn of the Islamic message.

Culture

Riyadh Art Unveils Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
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Riyadh Art Unveils Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, via its Riyadh Art program, has launched the Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 exhibition on Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia).

Open to the public from February 9 to 22, the exhibition showcases 25 new artworks themed "Traces of What Will Be," exploring transformation and urban renewal.

The sculptures were crafted during a live phase from January 10 to February 5, during which artists from 18 countries used local stone and recycled metals, allowing the public to witness the creative process firsthand.

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works.

Overseen by a panel of international experts, the exhibition serves as an interactive cultural platform featuring workshops and panel discussions to foster community engagement.

All 2026 pieces will join Riyadh Art's permanent collection, which has hosted over 170 artists since 2019 and already installed more than 60 sculptures across the city to integrate contemporary art into Riyadh's urban fabric.

Culture

Syrian Culture Minister Applauds Saudi Pavilion at Damascus Book Fair

The 2026 Damascus International Book Fair is held from February 6 to 16 - SPA
The 2026 Damascus International Book Fair is held from February 6 to 16 - SPA
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Syrian Culture Minister Applauds Saudi Pavilion at Damascus Book Fair

The 2026 Damascus International Book Fair is held from February 6 to 16 - SPA
The 2026 Damascus International Book Fair is held from February 6 to 16 - SPA

Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh visited the Kingdom’s pavilion at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, held from February 6 to 16, where the Kingdom is serving as the Guest of Honor.

He commended the efforts of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission in showcasing the rich diversity of the Saudi cultural and literary scene. The pavilion features exhibitions of manuscripts, a Saudi fashion corner, and archaeological replicas, SPA reported.

The minister reviewed the commission's Tarjim translation initiative and Saudi literature comics.

This participation at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair showcases Saudi creativity and fosters cultural dialogue, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of knowledge exchange and cultural leadership.