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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


Tabuk cultural club marks World Art Day with visual arts event
SPA TABUK, April 16 — A cultural evening was held in Tabuk to mark World Art Day, bringing together people interested in visual arts and culture in the region. The event, titled “The Alphabet of the Brush… When Color Becomes a Universal Language,” was organized by the Cultural Club in Tabuk, the literary partner of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. Discussions during the evening focused on visual art as a tool of cultural expression and its role in docume
2 days ago1 min read


Saudi nonprofit culture forum opens with focus on culture as soft power
SPA RIYADH, April 15 - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture opened the first edition of the Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday with a session focused on culture as a form of soft power and the role of the nonprofit sector in shaping the future, state news agency SPA reported. The opening session, held at the King Fahd Cultural Centre under the title "Culture as Soft Power: Redefining the Role of the Nonprofit Sector in Shaping the Future," featured Prince Tu
3 days ago1 min read


Saudi culture minister meets Malaysian counterpart to discuss cultural ties
SPA RIYADH/KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 - Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cultural relations and ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors, state news agency SPA reported. At the start of the meeting, Prince Badr said Saudi Arabia valued its longstanding and fraternal ties with Malaysia and described culture as a key bridge f
3 days ago1 min read


Saudi culture minister visits National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta
SPA RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan visited the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday, accompanied by Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon. The museum, located in central Jakarta and supervised by the Indonesian Heritage Agency, is one of the country’s leading cultural institutions and is regarded as an archaeological, historical, anthropological and geographical museum. Established in 18
5 days ago1 min read


Louvre Abu Dhabi Opens Art Here 2026 and Richard Mille Art Prize Call for Proposals
The museum has launched an open call for the sixth edition of Art Here 2026, inviting artists from the GCC and India to submit proposals under the theme “Confluences.” WAM Louvre Abu Dhabi has announced an open call for proposals for the sixth edition of its flagship contemporary art initiative, Art Here 2026, and the Richard Mille Art Prize, with submissions open until 31 May 2026 through the museum’s website. The 2026 edition expands to India alongside the GCC, reflecting t
Apr 82 min read


Hira museum showcases rare 19th-century copy of Holy Quran
SPA MAKKAH, April 6 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District is showcasing a rare copy of the Holy Quran dating back to the 19th century, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The manuscript reflects the reverence historically shown by Muslims toward the Holy Quran as well as the care devoted to its artistic and decorative presentation. The copy is adorned with intricate decorations, gilding and floral motifs across its opening, middle
Apr 61 min read


Dutch prosecutors recover ancient Romanian artefacts stolen in museum heist
ASSEN, Netherlands, April 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A 2,500-year-old golden helmet and two other ancient Romanian treasures stolen from a museum in the Netherlands were recovered after suspects in custody provided information that led investigators to them, Dutch prosecutors said on Thursday. The artefacts, linked to Geto-Dacian communities, were presented at a press conference at the Drents Museum in the northern Dutch city of Assen, where they had been on loan
Apr 21 min read


Makkah Museum Showcases Rare Quran Manuscript Designed in Ship Form
SPA MAKKAH, March 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A rare Quran manuscript preserved in Saudi Arabia is drawing attention in Makkah after the Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District highlighted a copy written in the form of a ship, an example of historic Islamic manuscript design and calligraphic innovation. The piece is believed to date to the 11th century CE, or the 5th century AH, placing it among early surviving works that illustrate how Quranic manuscripts
Mar 311 min read


Hegra in AlUla highlights first facial reconstruction of Nabataean woman
SPA ALULA, March 27, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to rock-cut Nabataean tombs dating back to the first century A.D. and now also highlights the story of Hina bint Wahb, whose face has been reconstructed using modern techniques. According to the Royal Commission for AlUla, the archaeological site contains around 141 rock-cut tombs, 93 of them with carved façades decorated with geometric motifs and
Mar 271 min read


Qibla Wall at Prophet’s Mosque Reflects Islamic Architectural Artistry
SPA Madinah, March 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The qibla wall of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah represents one of the mosque’s prominent architectural elements, reflecting the artistic precision and aesthetic traditions of Islamic architecture. The wall features intricate vegetal ornamentation that decorates its surfaces, forming a unified decorative composition that highlights the craftsmanship and design traditions developed throughout the mosque’s historical expansi
Mar 131 min read


King Abdulaziz Road Reflects Jeddah’s Architectural Heritage and Urban Transformation
SPA Riyadh, March 11, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — King Abdulaziz Road remains one of the most prominent architectural and cultural landmarks in Jeddah, reflecting the city’s historic evolution and long-standing connection to maritime trade. Located in the heart of historic Jeddah, the road has for decades served as a major commercial and social artery linking traditional markets with the seaport. Historic buildings line both sides of the street, showcasing the distinc
Mar 111 min read


Successive Saudi expansions increase capacity of Prophet’s Mosque to 1.8 million worshippers
SPA RIYADH, March 6, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah has undergone a series of major expansions during the Saudi era aimed at facilitating the movement of worshippers and visitors while preserving its Islamic architectural character. The first Saudi expansion began in 1952 (1372 AH) and continued until 1955 (1375 AH), adding about 16,326 square meters to the mosque and increasing its capacity to nearly 28,000 worshippers. A second expansion
Mar 61 min read


Tuwaiq Sculpture Exhibition Brings Public Art Experience to Riyadh During Ramadan
SPA Riyadh, March 5, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – An open-air exhibition featuring works from the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium is welcoming visitors in Riyadh during Ramadan, offering a public art experience along Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street. The exhibition is one of the outcomes of the seventh edition of the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium, part of the Riyadh Art Program supervised by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. The display incl
Mar 61 min read


Prophet’s Mosque Lighting System Highlights Architectural Beauty
SPA Madinah, March 5, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The lighting system at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah includes 138,650 units designed to enhance the site’s architecture and support a tranquil atmosphere for worshippers, according to information released by the authority overseeing the mosque. The network includes 297 chandeliers and 8,219 column-mounted units to provide visibility across corridors. It also includes 10,546 units engraved with the name of Allah, amon
Mar 51 min read


Saudi project rehabilitating Al-Hawza Mosque in Aseer as part of historical mosques programme
Riyadh, March 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques is rehabilitating Al-Hawza Mosque in Dhahran Al-Janoub in Aseer as part of efforts to preserve Islamic heritage under Vision 2030. The mosque was built in 8 AH by Ali ibn Abi Talib during a trip to Yemen to spread Islam, according to the information provided. It is among the oldest mosques in the region and underwent expansions in 1213 AH and 1
Mar 41 min read


Iran’s Golestan Palace damaged after US Israeli strike, Mehr reports
"Tiled entrance to the Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran." FrankvandenBergh/Getty Images Tehran, March 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged in the aftermath of a U.S.-Israeli strike, semi-official Mehr News Agency reported. The palace’s mirrored throne room was affected, Mehr reported, adding that museum artefacts had previously been moved to a secure vault following January protests and during a 12-day war in June 20
Mar 21 min read


Al Balad draws Ramadan visitors with heritage sites, night markets and cultural events
SPA Jeddah, February 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Al Balad, Jeddah’s historic district, has become a focal point for residents and visitors during Ramadan nights, offering heritage settings and cultural activities linked to Hijazi identity. After Taraweeh prayers, narrow alleys fill with foot traffic under lanterns and traditional lighting, illuminating coral-stone buildings and carved wooden windows known as rawasheen, some dating back more than five centuries. Vi
Feb 261 min read


Historical records highlight Ramadan traditions and charitable legacy in early Saudi state
SPA Riyadh, February 22, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Historical accounts show that the imams of the Saudi state placed strong emphasis on religious observance and charitable giving during the month of Ramadan since the nation’s founding. Records indicate they prioritised congregational prayers, encouraged fasting and reinforced the importance of Zakat as a pillar of Islam and a mechanism for social solidarity. Support was extended to religious study circles, scholars,
Feb 221 min read


Brand Dubai launches Ramadan recipes guide with chefs and venues from Proudly from Dubai network
SPA Brand Dubai launches Ramadan recipes guide with chefs and venues from Proudly from Dubai network Dubai, February 21, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has launched a Ramadan recipes guide featuring dishes developed with chefs, restaurants and cafes from the “Proudly from Dubai” network as part of the citywide Ramadan in Dubai programme. The “Ramadan Recipes Guide” includes about 40 recipes spanning m
Feb 211 min read


Construction begins on Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre
SPA Riyadh, February 16, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Qiddiya Investment Company announced the start of construction for the Performing Arts Centre in Qiddiya City, marking a key milestone in the city’s development as a destination for entertainment, sports, and culture. The announcement coincided with the laying of the foundation stone, with construction to be carried out by Nesma and Partners. During the ceremony at the project site on the edge of the Tuwaiq Mountain
Feb 171 min read
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