Misk Art Institute Signs Strategic Partnerships at Misk Global Forum 2025 in Riyadh

The agreements include a partnership with MAXXI Museum in Rome to provide Saudi professionals with direct exposure to international museum practices, complemented by expert-led masterclasses delivered as part of Misk Art Institute programs - SPA
The agreements include a partnership with MAXXI Museum in Rome to provide Saudi professionals with direct exposure to international museum practices, complemented by expert-led masterclasses delivered as part of Misk Art Institute programs - SPA
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Misk Art Institute Signs Strategic Partnerships at Misk Global Forum 2025 in Riyadh

The agreements include a partnership with MAXXI Museum in Rome to provide Saudi professionals with direct exposure to international museum practices, complemented by expert-led masterclasses delivered as part of Misk Art Institute programs - SPA
The agreements include a partnership with MAXXI Museum in Rome to provide Saudi professionals with direct exposure to international museum practices, complemented by expert-led masterclasses delivered as part of Misk Art Institute programs - SPA

Misk Art Institute, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk,” has announced three strategic partnerships to drive cultural engagement and academic exchange.

The agreements were signed during the Misk Global Forum 2025 (MGF25) held in Riyadh on November 19–20 under the theme “Created By Youth”.

The collaborations will support Misk Art Institute’s mission to enrich artists’ creative journeys and advance Saudi Arabia’s arts and culture ecosystem, according to a press release, SPA reported.

The agreements include a partnership with MAXXI Museum in Rome to provide Saudi professionals with direct exposure to international museum practices, complemented by expert-led masterclasses delivered as part of Misk Art Institute programs.

Additionally, two memoranda of understanding were signed with Jeddah University and Taibah University to enable student development initiatives, academic exchange, and enriched cultural engagement.

Misk Art Institute continues to advance its mission to enhance the creative sector by developing artist-led initiatives, empowering talent, and strengthening cultural collaboration. The agreements reflect a shared vision to provide opportunities for artists and creatives and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation as a regional hub for creativity and cultural dialogue.

CEO of Misk Art Institute Reem Alsultan stated: “These partnerships consolidate Misk Art Institute’s role as an enabler of the national creative infrastructure and a trusted platform for the development of arts in the Kingdom. By connecting the arts with other sectors, including education, we’re building pathways for creativity to empower the next generation of creatives and advance cultural engagement.

These partnerships support our goal of facilitating artist journeys through unlocking access to resources and visibility, encouraging innovation, and expanding the national creative landscape. Each of them adds value to a growing ecosystem where artists and institutions work together, supporting a more vibrant creative future.”

Misk Art Institute continues to expand its influence as a leading cultural institution connecting artists, organizations, investors, and the broader community to build a sustainable creative landscape. Through year-round programs, including art exhibitions, training and development pathways, and residency opportunities, it supports artists to participate more fully in shaping the cultural scene and elevating artistic expression in Saudi Arabia and beyond.



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.


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.