JEDDAH: The Roads of Arabia exhibition at the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi has proved a big attraction for visitors of various nationalities. Subtitled Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia, it carries important information about the history and civilizations of the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula.
Visitors expressed their pride that the exhibition confirms the Kingdom’s special place in the field of archaeology, in both the discovery of these treasures and the way they are preserved.
“The exhibition represents the ancient desert memory when trade was the lifeblood of the world. The Arab trade route through the region was one of the world’s most famous routes at the time,” said former Director General of the French National Museums Pierre-Francois Zemmour.
A similar exhibition titled Treasures of Saudi Arabia was held in the Paris Louvre in 2010 and achieved great popularity in Europe, according to Zemmour.
“The exhibition hosted by Louvre Abu Dhabi this year displays 466 artifacts from the Arabian peninsula, the land of the Hijaz and the Arabian Kingdom of Kindah in 200BC,” he added.
“This is a cultural and historical event of great importance which is attracting the attention of thousands of people around the world. It shows the authentic lifestyle of these ancient peoples, who were interested in riding, breeding falcons and hunting, as well as in the protection and organization of commercial convoys,” Zemmour said.
“What is distinctive about the exhibition is that the museum reflects the image of the distant past from the heart of a country that still preserves the spirit of ancient civilization and lives on the spirit of authenticity in a contemporary form.”
Simone Garaudy, a researcher at the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage in Paris, said that Western and Arab archaeological missions have discovered thousands of important sites in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain over the past 10 years. “These discoveries are very important for the history of humanity. It is great to see that the UAE is particularly interested in national museums which represent the memory of the region and preserve the history of the Gulf region and the civilization of the Arabian Desert for the present and future generations,” said Garaudy.
Garaudy said that the Louvre Abu Dhabi displays the great value of the past using the latest techniques of presentation, preservation and storage. “This is very important because it makes it easy for millions of people around the world to follow the exhibitions, which present Arab history to the world,” she added.
Jean de Cornies, an artist and a member of the board of trustees of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, said that the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum has a collection of thousands of artifacts that reflect Arab lifestyle through the ages, collected from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and Oman.
“The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi works with its counterparts in other Arab countries and around the world, making the Louvre Abu Dhabi a integrated historical memory that reflects a long history of the Arabs.”
Indian researcher Alimuddin said: “I can see sculptures from the Stone Age and artifacts that are tens of thousands of years old, and this makes us rethink many ideas and wonder how these pieces have been preserved, despite the difficult environmental conditions in the region.”
Kabra, a visitor, stressed the importance of viewing this great heritage, noting that she did not know much about the heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, and that holding such exhibitions helps to spread cultural knowledge among the people.
Saudi treasures at Louvre Abu Dhabi dazzle visitors
Saudi treasures at Louvre Abu Dhabi dazzle visitors
- The event reflects image of distant past from the heart of a country that preserves the spirit of ancient civilization
Winter treasures: Truffle hunting in Northern Borders desert
- The truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring
- Truffles are celebrated for their unique flavor enhancing the taste of dishes
RAFHA: Truffle hunting in the Northern Borders region is a vibrant annual activity that combines the thrill of discovery with the beauty of heritage, drawing nature and heritage enthusiasts who embark on exciting sunrise journeys in search of these prized delicacies.
The Saudi Press Agency accompanied a diverse group of enthusiasts on a truffle hunting expedition in Al-Sahin area, where they gathered in a tranquil desert setting, enjoying the scent of rain mingling with the earth and flora. This experience highlights the deep connection between natural heritage and local culture.
Enthusiasts draw upon traditional knowledge to interpret soil and plant indicators, identifying potential truffle sites. Using simple tools that reflect humanity's connection to the environment, they employ long sticks to shift the soil and uncover hidden treasures.
Others use their hands to gently remove the surface layer without damaging the truffles, while bags and baskets are prepared for collection.
Types of Truffles in KSA
• Zubaidi stands out for its round shape
• Khalasi is the smallest with an irregular shape
• Jabbi is small and round
• Hooper is the tiniest and most irregular in shape.
The truffle season coincides with the rainy period from late winter to early spring, usually beginning in January and lasting until the end of March. During the Wasm rainy season in Saudi Arabia, the rainfall enriches the soil and activates truffle seeds, with growth rates varying. Some truffles require 50 to 70 days of rain, while others take less time.
Truffles are wild fungi that grow beneath the surface at different depths, depending on the complex interaction of soil, moisture, and surrounding plants. They thrive in well-ventilated sandy or clay soil, exhibiting signs such as slight cracks or small lumps when ripe.
Among the various types, the Zubaidi stands out for its round shape, while the Khalasi is the smallest with an irregular shape. The Jabbi is small and round, and the Hooper is the tiniest and most irregular in shape.
Truffles are celebrated for their unique flavor enhancing the taste of dishes. The truffle hunting season is not just a quest for food; It is a celebration of nature and heritage, fostering social bonds and revitalizing an age-old tradition passed down through generations.
As interest in this heritage activity grows, there is an increasing recognition of the need to educate future generations on preserving the environment and the desert landscapes, which are integral to this land’s cultural heritage. The truffle season stands as a testament to the splendor of nature and the importance of heritage.
Rare Vatican artifacts on show at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
- More than 500 historic items, contemporary artworks on display
- 1685 Nile map’s journey to Jeddah a ‘cultural milestone’
JEDDAH: A six-meter map of the Nile believed to be more than 300 years old has left its home in the Vatican archives for the first time to become the centerpiece of the second Islamic Arts Biennale launched in Jeddah on Saturday.
Visitors to Jeddah’s Western Hajj Terminal, the biennale venue, can see the map along with 10 other artifacts from the Vatican Library.
The historic chart, drawn with watercolor ink on Venetian paper and depicting historic sites along the Nile, has been dated to around 1685.
Its inclusion in the biennale marks a cultural milestone, showcasing the Vatican’s commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue, according to Vatican archivist and librarian Angelo Vincenzo Zani.
The map underwent restoration by the Vatican before making the journey to Jeddah. It is displayed alongside a sister map of the Arabian Gulf from the National Library of Qatar.
Both maps are believed to have been acquired in the 1700s in Constantinople by Giuseppe Alemanni, a Lebanese librarian who later became the Vatican Library’s prefect.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the exhibition in Jeddah explores faith by juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures.
• More than 30 cultural institutions have provided objects from their collections, as well as 29 newly commissioned works of art.
Zani attended the biennale’s opening ceremony and later told Arab News that the artifacts highlight a rich history of cultural exchange and shared knowledge.
“I think this Islamic Arts Biennale is very important. The concept of art is very important — to expand knowledge and creativity. Art is an emotion that we can all understand. It can cross over in a dialogue that is ‘in between’.”
The 2025 biennale’s theme, “And all that is in between,” draws from the Qur’anic verse “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.”
The Vatican Library is also showcasing several works from its collections in “The Art of Numbers” display at Al-Madar section of the biennale.
Al-Madar, or “The Orbit” section, features items from 20 institutions with significant Islamic art collections worldwide.
The section examines the role of numbers in collective history, exploring their origins in natural calculations and applications across Islamic culture, mathematics, architecture, music, design, celestial and terrestrial mapping, ocean navigation, trade and geometric patterns in Qur’anic decoration.
Heather Ecker, Al-Madar’s curator, said the Vatican Library, which was established in the Middle Ages, is the oldest taking part in Al-Madar.
“The Vatican has Arabic manuscripts on virtually any subject, and has a large collection of early Qur’ans. It has early translations of the Qur’an, of which we are exhibiting several,” she said.
Ecker said the Nile map appears to have been linked to a travel log and is a visual record of a journey.
“The maps were created from the written text and from memory, apparently,” she said.
“It’s not a map as we conceive it, because it is image with text, with annotations that correspond to observations made during the voyage and notes taken. It collapses geography in a certain way, so it scrunches up the land between the Nile and the Red Sea, for example, in order to include more sites such as Jeddah.”
The map has been in the Vatican since the late 18th century, but had never been restored and was first shown in 2021, Ecker said. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation helped fund its restoration and conservation.
“It’s much brighter now,” Ecker said. “The paper is much more supple now, so it’s really vastly improved, and it’s much easier to exhibit and for people to appreciate. That was a big undertaking, and important in the field of conservation preservation.”
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Jeddah exhibition explores faith by juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures.
The event has built on the success of the first biennale, and is bigger in scale and ambition, Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the foundation, told Arab News.
This year, more than 30 cultural institutions have provided objects from their collections, as well as 29 newly commissioned works of art.
“The biennale is rooted in Saudi Arabia and has become a clear landmark on the international stage as well. We are excited to share this exhibition with audiences from near and far,” Al-Bakree added.
Display space is divided into several sections, each blending Islamic cultural heritage with contemporary interpretations.
The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023 attracted more than 600,000 visitors. The 2025 edition will feature more than 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks, including treasures from Makkah, Madinah, and around the world.
The 2025 curatorial team is led by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, with Saudi artist Muhannad Shono as curator of contemporary art.
The Islamic Arts Biennale will run until May 25.
Saudi minister emphasizes Islamic unity at Khair Ummah conference in Bangkok
- Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh calls on scholars, preachers to ‘reinforce core principles of Islamic faith’
- Kingdom committed to fostering a culture of coexistence, cooperation among Muslims, forum told
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh inaugurated the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Bangkok on Saturday.
The event was attended by Thai National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, along with several ministers, muftis, and leaders of Islamic universities, centers, and associations.
Al-Asheikh emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and adherence to the truth, promoting solidarity that upholds Islamic identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He said that scholars bear a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security changes facing the world.
“This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith,” Al-Asheikh said.
He added that the responsibility of scholars and preachers is growing due to global calls for intellectual and ideological deviation, requiring careful reflection to realign efforts, uphold Shariah, safeguard the Prophet’s Sunnah, promote Islamic values, and combat extremism.
Al-Asheikh reaffirmed that under its leadership, the Kingdom has diligently fulfilled its responsibility toward the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to serving pilgrims, visitors, and Umrah performers by implementing substantial projects that enhance their experience and facilitate their rituals. The Kingdom is also dedicated to printing and distributing the Holy Qur’an in multiple languages worldwide,” he said.
Several participants delivered speeches thanking Saudi Arabia for its service to Islam and Muslims, emphasizing the importance of promoting tolerance, combating violence and extremism, and fostering cooperation among Muslims.
Meanwhile, the Central Islamic Council of Thailand awarded Al-Asheikh the First-Class Medal for Influential Global Islamic Personality of 2024. The medal was presented by Bangkok Islamic Affairs Committee President Arun Boonchom.
The award recognized Al-Asheikh’s distinguished contributions to serving Islam, promoting moderation and tolerance, and combating hate speech and extremism, SPA reported.
Al-Asheikh expressed his gratitude to the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand for his efforts in spreading noble Islamic values and fostering a culture of coexistence.
Saudi ambassador meets Sweden’s International Development Cooperation Agency chairman
- “The two kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, are major players on the humanitarian assistance field, with vast opportunities for shared experiences and best practices in the field
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Sweden and Iceland Enass Al-Shahwan recently met chairman of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and former minister for international development cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson.
“The two kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, are major players on the humanitarian assistance field, with vast opportunities for shared experiences and best practices in the field, the Saudi ambassador wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh met Thailand’s National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, in Bangkok on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Matha expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Islam and Muslims, and for its support of interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni begins official visit to Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Meloni arrived in Jeddah where she was met at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz among other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Her visit comes after Saudi Arabia and Italy signed an agreement earlier this month to boost energy cooperation.
The deal includes a possible supply to Europe of green hydrogen made in the Kingdom.
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with Italy’s Minister of Energy and Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratinon on Jan. 14 to sign the memorandum of understanding.
