Hundreds of people visited the “Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through The Ages” exhibition that was opened for the public at the Smithsonian’s Sackler Museum in Washington D.C. Saturday night. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) also organized in collaboration with the Sackler Museum a variety of cultural events on the sidelines of the heritage exhibition.
SCTA chief Prince Sultan bin Salman formally opened the three-month event on Thursday.
An attractive event particularly liked by children was the Arabian story telling especially from the Arabian Nights. Another impressive cultural program was called “the Family Day.’
In a seminar on the cultural heritage of the Kingdom, participating research students shed light on the cultural and trade relations the Arabian Peninsula had with other regions in the world thanks to the caravan routes that used to meet in ancient Arab cities.
Visitors toured around exotically arranged pavilions and listened to the explanation of each item particularly about the rock inscriptions, wall paintings and utensils dating back to thousands of years.
Excited visitors also formed long lines at the calligraphy section to get their names written in various calligraphic styles.
Visitors were also treated to qahwa and dates in the ancient Arabia style. They also viewed the traditional style of coffee preparation.
The rare artifacts showcased at the exhibition are taken from the National Museum in Riyadh, King Saud University Museum, King Fahd National Library, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, King Abdul Aziz Library in Madinah.
Saudi archaeology expo draws big crowd
Saudi archaeology expo draws big crowd
Recipes for success: Chef Ilias Doulamis offers advice and a tasty seafood recipe
DUBAI: Greek chef Ilias Doulamis is well-travelled and no stranger to the Gulf. Before taking on his current role, he worked at the Rosewood Al-Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, the Grand Hyatt Muscat, and the Grand Hyatt Doha, among others — as well as restaurants in Paris and London. Now, he is the culinary director of the Conrad Abu Dhabi, and Hilton’s regional chef for the Arabian Peninsula.
Here, Doulamis discusses the charms of citrus fruits, the importance of collaboration, and attention to detail.
When you started out what was the most common mistake you made?
Trying to do too much on my own. Early on, I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness. But since then I’ve learned that great kitchens run on collaboration and trust.
What’s your top tip for amateur chefs?
Focus on mastering the basics skills. They are the foundation of everything in the kitchen.
What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish?
Citrus! It instantly elevates a dish by adding brightness, balance, and depth. From orange, mandarin, lemon and lime right through to the most exotic sudashi, yuzu and pomelo, citrus is a magic ingredient.
When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?
I do, but I do it out of curiosity and passion — not judgment. And it’s not just the food. I notice everything: flavors, technique, the service, the ambiance, even the body language of the staff. All of these things are part of the experience of dining out.
What’s the most common issue that you find in other restaurants?
I’d say it’s lack of attention to detail — whether that’s the seasoning, the temperature, or the plating. Consistency is key to delivering a good experience, and it’s often the first thing to slip under pressure.
What’s your favorite cuisine?
I am from Kalamata and my favorite cuisine is Greek — hands down. It’s simple, honest food with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a deep connection to tradition. It’s really hard not to love!
What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home?
A frittata. It’s quick, versatile, and always satisfying. You can toss in whatever’s in your fridge, and it’s still going to feel like a proper meal.
What customer request or behavior most annoys you?
Honestly, no request really annoys me. Guests have different tastes and needs, and part of our job is to make them feel welcome. It’s all part of the experience.
What’s your favorite dish to cook and why?
It’s tough to pick a favorite. I just really love cooking anything that lets me be creative and connect with people through food. That being said, I’m very lucky because my wife is an excellent cook too, so our kitchen is always full of inspiration and great meals.
What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?
Some dishes are deceptively simple and incredibly hard to perfect. I’m thinking of things like a classic omelet, a risotto, or even fresh pasta. Simplicity really tests your skill. When there’s nowhere to hide, that when cooking can be at its most challenging. Your precision, timing, and technique have to be spot-on, and even the smallest misstep can throw everything off.
As a team leader, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Or are you more laid back?
I’d say I’m firm but fair. Obviously, I believe in discipline and high standards, but I also believe in empowerment, mentorship, and leading by example. The best results always come from motivated team members who feel that they are respected and valued.
Chef Ilias’ Greek-style citrus and olive oil marinated sea bass with fresh sea urchin
Ingredients:
Fresh amberjack fillet, thinly sliced (sashimi-style)
Fresh sea urchin (uni)
Kalamata Extra virgin olive oil (high quality, fruity)
Lemon and orange juice (freshly squeezed)
Lemon zest
Sea salt (preferably flaky)
Fresh dill and chives (finely chopped)
Cracked black pepper
Instructions:
Marinate the Fish:
Arrange the sliced amberjack on a chilled plate. Drizzle with a blend of lemon and orange juice, just enough to coat. Add a few drops of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and a sprinkle of herbs. Let it marinate for 5–7 minutes.
Top with Uni:
Gently place fresh sea urchin lobes on top of the marinated fish.
Finish & Serve:
Grate a bit of lemon zest over the top, add a touch more olive oil, and finish with cracked pepper and a few micro herbs
REVIEW: ‘Atomfall’ is a quirky apocalypse featuring retro paranoia and tea-fueled resilience
LONDON: “Atomfall” is a game that defies easy categorization. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the English Lake District, this curious hybrid feels like “Fallout” wandered into a “Stalker” fever dream while binge-watching “The Wicker Man,” with just a touch of Austin Powers’ absurdity thrown in for good measure.
It’s a love letter to Britain’s eerie countryside, retro paranoia and weird tea-fueled resilience — and somehow, it works.
You start as a nameless survivor with no real background, no memory, and no clear purpose beyond “get out.” A short newsreel hints at some nuclear disaster, but from there, it’s up to you to piece things together through exploration and investigation. There’s no hand-holding here, but there are helpful instructions to get you going. The narrative is loose, but intriguingly so — it’s more about what you discover than what you’re told.
The open world is split into main landscape regions, each with its own aesthetic and mood. The Lake District setting is surprisingly atmospheric, with moody hills, foggy forests, and crumbling 1950s architecture.
Despite its muted palette, Atomfall encourages players to explore every inch — scavenging for materials, unlocking secrets, and finding absurd British cultural relics. Limited ammo and classic crafting mechanics add a layer of survival challenge, making every encounter feel like it matters.
Gameplay offers distinct playstyles — combat, survival, and exploration.
You can go in guns blazing, sneak around enemies, or scrounge for supplies and tea (yes, tea restores health). Combat is functional, though not always tight. Shooting and melee work well enough, but enemy AI is hit-or-miss. Sometimes they’ll charge you recklessly; other times they just stand there wondering what planet they’re on. Melee is especially satisfying, though clunky in tight spaces. Likewise, while outlaws, druids, mutants and soldiers are all nominally different challenges they are much of a muchness in terms of dealing with them.
“Atomfall” doesn’t shy away from the odd. Its dark humor and sheer Britishness give it a special charm, but the heavy use of local slang and regional accents may confuse non-UK players. Picture “Clockwork Orange” meets “Hot Fuzz” and you’re halfway there. Still, it’s part of the game’s identity — this is a very specific apocalypse, where people ask you to fetch delivery parcels and fix a fence while the world burns around them.
There is a basic but useful skill tree that lets you tailor your approach, from combat proficiency to crafting perks. Quests are often simple (“bring X to Y”), but branching conversations and trackable leads give them some depth. Your choices in dialogue can impact outcomes — sometimes subtly, sometimes with unexpected consequences.
Enemy respawns after death are a mixed blessing. On one hand, it keeps the world dangerous. On the other, it can feel like busywork when you’re simply trying to pass through.
“Atomfall” is weird, scrappy, and full of character. It doesn’t have the polish of a AAA giant, but it doesn’t try to. Instead, it offers a delightfully odd, open-ended experience that rewards curiosity and embraces chaos. For those willing to roll with its eccentricities, “Atomfall” is a radioactive romp worth taking.
Saudi Film Festival returns with roster of regional films and special section for Japan
DUBAI: The Saudi Film Festival is set to return for its 11th edition from April 17 to 23, at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
On Wednesday, the film festival announced that “SIWAR” by director Osama Al-Khurayji will be the event’s opening screening as well as the film's world premiere.
The film, which unfolds between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, was primarily shot in the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia.
The film is inspired by true events and was written by Rashed Al-Munajjim. It tells the story of two newborns, one Saudi and the other Turkish, who were mistakenly switched at birth.
“The story of ‘SIWAR’ has stayed with me since the true incident occurred in 2012, and I’ve wanted to bring it to the screen. Finally, after all these years, I’m proud to present this human story, and I’d like to thank Film AlUla for their support in making this film. I’m also proud that its launch will take place at the Saudi Film Festival, which is very dear to my heart,” said director Al-Khurayji.
This year’s theme, “Cinema of Identity,” will explore how films shape and reflect individual, national, and cultural identities.
Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission, the festival will feature 68 films from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf — including Iraq and Yemen — and beyond.
The narrative features in competition include “Hobal,” “My Driver and I,” “Thuqoub,” “Fakher Al-Suwaidi,” Anaashed Adam,” “Es-aaf,” “Behind the Mountains” and “Adjourned.”
A highlight this year is the honorary tribute to Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, a veteran Saudi actor with over three decades of experience in theater, television, and cinema. His notable works include the TV series “Tash Ma Tash” and “Bayni Wa Baynak,” as well as films such as Ithra’s “Hajjan,” “Zero Distance,” and the recent “Hobal.”
This year’s lineup includes seven Saudi and Gulf feature films, 22 short fiction films, and seven documentaries, alongside 12 parallel screenings of Saudi productions. The festival will also host four panel discussions, four advanced masterclasses and three book-signing sessions for the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia.
The plaza and library at Ithra will host ‘Meet the Expert’ one-on-one sessions and private screenings, offering filmmakers ample opportunities for personalized mentorship and feedback.
A key component of the festival is its production market, which will showcase 22 booths from various production entities, providing filmmakers with a platform to develop and present their work. And to network.
Additionally, Japanese cinema will be in focus, marking 70 years of Saudi-Japan relations, with eight Japanese films and expert discussions.
Those Japanese films include:
‘River Returns’
Hoping to save the village and his family from a flood, a young boy journeys alone to a pool deep in the mountains, following a tradition that is disappearing in post-war Japan.
‘Blue and White’
Ryusuke, who is grieving, makes salt on the day of his wife's funeral, aiming to preserve the local area’s salt making history.
‘Toma #2’
When Toma decides to place his father, who suffers from dementia, in a facility, he discovers an instant camera in his father's room that he had forgotten to develop.
‘Kaburagi’
Kaburaki, a photographer for a weekly magazine, receives a message from an unknown source tipping him off about an idol he has been chasing.
‘Extremely Short’
Based on a story by Hideo Furukawa, the short film follows a man searching for the shortest thing in Tokyo.
‘The New World’
On a sunny June day, Kaname summons old friends to the wilderness with a purpose, but only one arrives.
Jennifer Lopez set to light up Abu Dhabi on global tour stop
DUBAI: US superstar Jennifer Lopez is set to return to the UAE this summer with a performance at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on July 29.
The concert is part of her “Up All Night Live” world tour and will mark her second tour performance in the Middle East, following a show in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on July 6.
Fans can look forward to chart-topping tracks such as “If You Had My Love,” “Jenny From The Block,” “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” and “On The Floor.”
This will not be her first performance in the UAE capital this year—Lopez previously took the stage in February as part of the Saadiyat Nights concert series.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential entertainers, Lopez has made her mark across music, film and television. She remains the only female artist to simultaneously top both the US box office and music charts, with over $3 billion in global box office earnings, more than 80 million records sold and billions of streams and views across her music catalogue.
In film, her recent Netflix releases “Atlas” and “The Mother” both debuted at number one on the platform, with “The Mother” now ranking among Netflix’s top 10 most-watched films of all time.
In 2025, her latest film “Unstoppable” reached the number one spot globally on Amazon Prime Video.
Lopez’s UAE concert is organized by Ethara, a UAE-based events company.
Ethara is also organizing Katy Perry’s concert in the UAE, which is part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in December.
The music star will headline the grand finale on Dec. 7 at Etihad Park.
In addition to her global tour, Lopez is set to headline the after-race concert at the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 in Jeddah this weekend, taking the stage on April 19.
She will join an impressive lineup of international and regional artists, including Usher, Major Lazer, Peggy Gou and PartyNextDoor, alongside Arab stars such as Marwan Pablo, Tul8te, Hisham Abbas, Mostafa Amar and Hamid El-Shaeri.
Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez gave fans a peek into her life in Saudi Arabia this week through a series of Instagram stories. One standout moment was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.”
She included the same phrase in Arabic as a caption. In the photo, she also showed off a large emerald-cut diamond ring, a glittering watch and a crocodile-skin handbag.
Later that afternoon, Rodriguez shared more family moments when she posted videos of stepson Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s football training with Al-Nassr’s youth team. In one clip, captioned “The best team,” the group was seen singing and cheering.
Rodriguez also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes look at her personal routine in Riyadh, sharing a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.
The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Saudi Arabia, where she lives with her partner, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and their children.
The couple recently appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic. Rodriguez says “yalla” — meaning “let’s go” — after selecting the cruise on her phone, and Ronaldo replies cheerfully “yalla.”
The scene then changes into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, with panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors and their private accommodation.
Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared the campaign on their social media profiles with the caption: “Home isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling.”
In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.
She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez. During her visit, the model hugged and spoke with the children and joined in their play with the dolls.
