JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of work in the project to restore ramshackle buildings in the district under the generous donation of US$13 million (SAR50 million) from the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The project...

ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – Situated in the heart of Old Town here, Dar Tantora Hotel offers guests a chance to step back in time. Housed in beautifully restored mudbrick buildings, the hotel is imbued with the region's rich history and culture. The Old Town, with its origins going back over...

Lyon, France--Vatel Hotel and Tourism Business School Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EKLYA School of Business in France to launch a student exchange programme between Bahrain and France aimed at bolstering academic and cultural ties between the two countries. This initiative affirms the joint commitment to strengthen...

Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE has been elected the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for 2025. The appointment acknowledges the UAE’s contributions to cultural diversity and its role in fostering a multicultural and civilized tapestry...

Outstanding Arab women leave a lasting impact in their respective fields, inspire countless individuals, and shape the future of the interconnected domains.

BIRZEIT, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – At a museum in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Gazan works on display are proclaimed to be an "ongoing artistic demonstration" in solidarity with the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. "This is not an exhibition", reads the sign at the entrance to the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, near Ramallah, showcasing...

Dubai, UAE-- As many as 81% of people in the UAE say that they owe it to future generations to make drastic changes to the way they are living, as reported by the What Matters 2024 report from Human8, the human-centric and insight-driven consultancy. More than 4 out of 5...

ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA  - The Heritage Commission announced its most prominent discovery in Jurash, Asir region, as one of the most important archaeological sites in the south of the Kingdom, a report on Tuesday said. These were the result of strenuous excavations taking place during its 15th season in 2023....

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Young Chinese flocking home for Lunar New Year this weekend have turned to an AI chatbot game to help train for the most dreaded social interaction of the year -- the dinner table interrogation by nosy relatives. The annual inquisition as extended families gather for China's biggest festival...

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -- As many as 25,000 fragments of artifacts dating from the early Islamic era, the first two centuries of AH (7th to 8th centuries AD) have been discovered in Saudi Arabia. The discovery was announced by the Jeddah Historic District Program, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission....

“Culture and arts are an integral part of building communities and a key pillar of Ras Al Khaimah’s sustainable development,” adds Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi as he opened the 12th edition of Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, organized by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Public...

PARIS, FRANCE - More than two-thirds of musicians fear that artificial intelligence will make it impossible to make a living, according to a study by French and German music societies published on Tuesday. Based on a survey of over 15,000 people in the industry, France's Society of Authors, Composers and Music...

DUBAI, UAE - Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art festival, has launched its illuminating 10-day program at Expo City Dubai. The event celebrates the rich artistic tapestry of Emirati through a series of awe-inspiring artistic projections, interactive installations, enlightening talks and creative workshops. The free-to-attend festival is created and...

When the first bombs rang out in Sudan, Amjad, Fatima and Mazin abandoned their paintbrushes, musical instruments and studios, leaving behind the lives they knew for unfamiliar shores. Now in Egypt, they have sought to bring back the sights and sounds of a long-lost home to an audience of about...

Rafah, Palestinian Territories - Surrounded by family and friends, clapping and cheering, Gaza woman Afnan Jibril beams a brilliant smile on her wedding day, determined to celebrate even as war rages. "We are a people that love life, despite death, murders and destruction," said her father, Mohamed Jibril. Relatives were gathered...

DUBAI, UAE -  Rory McIlroy kicked off his year with a sparkling nine-under-par 62 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Dubai Invitational on Thursday. The world number two is playing his first event since the DP World Tour Championship last November, which was also played in...

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The UAE is bidding farewell to 2023, dubbed the ‘Year of Sustainability'. From hosting the relatively successful COP28 to space, the country achieved several milestones. Sustainability drive - 28th UN Climate Change Conference's (COP28) culmination in the historic ‘UAE Consensus' on climate change, which was adopted...

The Syriac Catholic Church was not alone, with the leaders of three of Syria's major churches -- the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Melkite Greek Catholic patriarchs -- announcing they were cancelling Christmas festivities and limiting celebrations to religious ceremonies. More than 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza since...

Abu Dhabi, UAE - The popular traditional food Harees is now inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced on Wednesday. Harees is a porridge-like dish that is most often eaten during important family gatherings, such as weddings,...

Jordan's culture ministry, Gharaibeh's organization is working to add the trees to the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List, hoping this "will ultimately contribute to preserving them and protecting them". Jordan is working on a plan to engage the public with the trees by placing a QR code on every bottle...

Gobekli Tepe - which experts believe was never actually inhabited - may be part of a vast sacred landscape that encompasses other hilltop sites that are believed to be even older.

Kuwait City, Kuwait--The art exhibition titled "Oman in the Heart of Kuwait" was inaugurated at the Kuwaiti Syndicate of Media and Artists on Saturday, emphasizing the deep historical and cultural ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait. Oman's Ambassador to Kuwait, Saleh Al-Kharusi, who presided over...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--The Heritage Commission and the German Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Geoanthropology in the Green Arabia Project revealed one of the most significant sites of the prehistoric period near Jabal Irf in Hail region. The scientific team that participated in the project—including researchers and specialists from the Kingdom,...

Monaco, Monaco--The Old Doha Port has signed several agreements with professional global companies, specialized in yacht during its participation in the global 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, to put the Old Doha Port on the global map. Executive Director of the Old Doha Port, Mohammed Abdullah Al Mulla, pointed out that...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -  Saudi cinemas began the screening of the horror and thriller movie Cello, with global participation of stars from the US, England, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The movie is based on the novel released in 2021 by Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment, Advisor Turki Al...

The United Nations' cultural organization inscribed the "pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan" located near the occupied West Bank city of Jericho on its World Heritage List, UNESCO said. The decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at UNESCO's 45th world heritage committee meeting held...

Dubai, UAE-- Yemen and the US have signed an agreement to renews and extend protections for Yemeni cultural property that were put in place in 2020 on an emergency basis. According to the US State Department, the deal was signed by US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural...

Sharjah, UAE - Expo Centre Sharjah said it will host 63 percent more events in the last quarter of 2023, compared to last quarter of 2022. The Center will host 18 economic, trade, and cultural exhibitions, while during the same period last year, it hosted 11 such events. The events,...

Women entrepreneurs in the UAE succeed in breaking the barriers, distinguishing themselves in diverse fields, enabled along the way by the country's women-empowerment legislation.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has announced significant discoveries made at the Al-Abla site in Asir region during the seventh season of archaeological excavation there. The new discoveries, including architectural features of residential and industrial units with gypsum-coated walls and floors, are an extension of previous discoveries over the...

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that companies from his country plan to expand their activities in Russia despite sanctions and political difficulties. Orban made the statement at a meeting with the head of Russia’s Tatarstan region Rustam Minnikhanov in Budapest, TASS news agency reported. "It has...

Abu Dhabi, UAE - A record 2.4 million tourists visited the UAE during the first six months of 2023, a report by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said. Also, the numbers marked an increase of around 34 percent compared to the same period during last year....

TRENDS Infographics explores prominent Arab nations in the latest Global Soft Power Index, with the UAE leading the way by entering the top 10, a first for the Middle East.

The Arab world's most impoverished country, locked in an eight-year conflict between Houthi rebels and forces supporting the internationally recognized government, has deep ties to coffee.

The library has continued to preserve cultural heritage in Jerusalem through their restoration and digitisation, with support from local and international organizations.

They venerate fire as a supreme form of purity. Alongside water, air and earth, the elements must not be contaminated by human activity.

LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS - In a Dutch museum the sound of hip-hop blares out next to sarcophagi and statues, in what curators say is an attempt to show the influence of ancient Egypt on black musicians. A photo of superstar Beyonce dressed as Queen Nefertiti sits next to ancient busts, while a...

Even at their center in Chibayish, only a few expanses of the ancient waterways - home to a Marsh Arab culture that goes back millennia - survive, linked by channels that snake through the reeds.

"In education, Japan is working to promote study exchanges and internships for Emirati students and young professionals. Japan continues to support Japanese language education in the UAE, where interest in Japanese culture and language is strong," Kishida adds whille highlighting that the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic...

Paris, France--From subtly shifting the position of Ramses II's sceptre, to touch-ups on a necklace or headdress, ancient Egyptian artists were more creative than previously thought, according to a study published Wednesday. Using new portable imaging and chemical analysis techniques, an international team of scientists took a fresh look at paintings...

Dubai, UAE-- During the first half of 2023 the Dubai Police has recorded some 65,942 smart transactions at its 22 "smart police stations" spread across the emirate of Dubai. The police said that a total of 65,942 smart transactions were conveniently and smartly processed without any human intervention. These included...

Hundreds of millions of Muslims in their best dresses packed mosques in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas to mark the festive occasion.

Paris, France-- The19th UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture was awarded to Kassem Istanbouli, Lebanese actor-director, and Hajer Ben Boubaker, French researcher and sound director, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on June 26, 2023. The event, organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with UNESCO, celebrated the achievements of...

Islam's holiest site is expected to host more than two million worshipers from 160 countries during the annual rites that could break attendance records.

Dubai, UAE - Dubai has achieved top global ranking in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries in 2022,  revealed Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority on Monday. According to the Dubai FDI Monitor report, compiled...

Morocco has the largest population of Berbers in North Africa, and Thursday's decision responds to a long-standing demand by activists to preserve the language, which is currently taught to just 330,000 pupils. The move "will necessitate more specialist and bilingual teachers", the education minister said.

Saudi largesse for the arts has boomed under the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with billions pouring into previously taboo areas such as music, fashion and sports.

"Aside from the obvious things - the construction of museums and large collections - it seems to me that the Emirates are doing a lot of this for the education of young people," he adds, referring to the “Venice Internship program” of the NPUAE that involves Italian interns selected from...

He continued his predecessor's remarkable legacy until his own passing on May 13, 2022. Under his leadership, the UAE flourished, becoming the second-largest economy in the Arab world and the first Arab and Islamic nation to successfully reach Mars, among numerous other notable achievements across various domains.

At Christie's, the star lot is Henri Rousseau's "Les Flamants," which is set to smash the record price at auction for the renowned French post-impressionist painter.