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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


Princess Haifa bint Faisal visits Qassim archives center, date exhibition
Princess Haifa bint Faisal tours the Qassim archives center's date exhibition, engaging in a guided discussion about the displayed artifacts. BURAIDAH, May 12 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Princess Haifa bint Faisal bin Abdulaziz visited the Documents and Archives Center at Qassim Region Governorate and the “Aqdaa Bil Tamr Afdal” exhibition in Buraidah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Princess Haifa, chairperson of Zahra Association and chairperson of the Saudi Cancer Socie
May 131 min read


UAE National Orchestra electrifies Dubai Opera with “Sing for the Nation”
RIYADH, May 10 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The UAE National Orchestra brought Dubai Opera to standing ovation during “Sing for the Nation”, a concert that saw audiences join the orchestra and choi in singing the UAE’s most beloved patriotic songs across generations, in a shared celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces. The evening’s defining moment came with an unannounced appearance by renowned Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, w
May 102 min read


Saudi National Orchestra performs at Rome's Colosseum alongside Andrea Bocelli in landmark cultural concert
ROME, May 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission concluded the Marvels of Saudi Orchestra concert in Rome under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The concert, held at the Colosseum, featured a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. It brought together 32 musicians from the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir and 30 musicians from an Italian orchestra in a joint performance
May 101 min read


Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale closes after bringing 68 artists to JAX District
Photography | Courtesy of SPA DIRIYAH, May 3— The third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled “In Interludes and Transitions,” closed on May 2, 2026, after bringing together 68 artists from more than 37 countries at JAX District near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. Organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the exhibition featured more than 25 new commissions across 12,900 square meters of exhibition halls, courtyards and terraces, with scen
May 31 min read


Holy Quran Museum in Makkah showcases rare manuscripts and historic artifacts
Photography | Courtesy of SPA RIYADH, May 3 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah offers visitors an overview of the history of the Holy Quran, its sciences and the development of its transcription through rare manuscripts and artifacts, state media reported. Among the exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating to the 12th century AH, or 18th century CE, reflecting the craftsmanship of Islamic arts an
May 31 min read


Saudi orchestra world tour to stage Rome concert featuring Andrea Bocelli
RIYADH, April 30 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission said the 11th stop of its “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” world tour will be held in Rome in May and will feature Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The event will include performances by the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, as well as Saudi performing arts presented by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the commission said. The concert will feature Saudi, Italian and international works perfo
Apr 301 min read


Diriyah Biennale Foundation Wins Art Basel Award for Museum and Institutional Category
📷 | SPA RIYADH, April 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Art Basel Awards has named the Diriyah Biennale Foundation as a medalist in the Museum and Institution category in its 2026 cycle, recognizing the foundation as a "key platform for regional artistic development" and acknowledging its contribution to contemporary and Islamic arts globally. "The Diriyah Biennale Foundation has been committed to bringing together artists, communities, and ideas across geographies. This
Apr 191 min read


Makkah marks World Heritage Day with focus on preservation efforts
SPA MAKKAH, April 18 — Makkah marked World Heritage Day on Friday by highlighting efforts to preserve its historical, cultural and architectural legacy. Authorities continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting both tangible and intangible heritage through restoration and rehabilitation programs, as well as cultural events and interactive exhibitions. The city is home to historic districts, sites linked to early Islamic history, and museums and cultural centers that hel
Apr 181 min read


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
Apr 161 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
Apr 161 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
Apr 151 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
Apr 131 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
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