Royal Commission for AlUla launches Hegra Conservation Project

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The primary goal of the Hegra Conservation Project is to identify the causes of degradation in the ancient carved tombs and devise measures that ensure their long-term preservation. (SPA)
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Updated 23 January 2024
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Royal Commission for AlUla launches Hegra Conservation Project

  • A team of scientists, experts, and cultural heritage conservation technicians are investigating the factors leading to the deterioration of the ancient carved tombs in Hegra
  • Beyond its 110 monumental tombs, inscriptions, monuments, and rock-cut chambers, Hegra thrived as a center of trade and culture

JEDDAH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched the Hegra Conservation Project in collaboration with the Italian company Estia, which has 30 years of experience in the field.

Hegra is the first Saudi archeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Led by Prof. Mauro Matteini, former director of the Italian National Research Council, a team of scientists, experts, and cultural heritage conservation technicians are investigating the factors leading to the deterioration of the ancient carved tombs in Hegra, which are over 2000 years old.

The primary goal of the project is to identify the causes of degradation and devise measures that ensure their long-term preservation; the project will end by 2025.

Hegra Conservation Project gives the chance to share the beauty of antiquities in AlUla. The technical and scientific aspects of the work to preserve them can be found in the project’s website (www.hegraconservation.com) and its social media platforms.

The Hegra Archaeological Site, a distinguished historical site in the Kingdom, features carved tombs dating back to the Nabataean era. Originating in the mid-1st century B.C., Hegra showcases the Nabataeans’ pioneering spirit and hydraulic expertise, evident in over 130 wells that preserved essential water resources for thriving communities in northern Arabia.

Beyond its 110 monumental tombs, inscriptions, monuments, and rock-cut chambers, Hegra thrived as a center of trade and culture. The Nabataeans controlled trade routes through Arabia, Jordan, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia, mastering the incense and spice trades.

Hegra’s legacy intertwines the stories of the Nabataeans, Dadanites, and Lihyanites, revealing cultural exchanges in architecture, decoration, language use, and caravan trade. After becoming part of the Roman province of Arabia in 106 A.D., Hegra incorporated a Roman fort into its city wall, leaving a lasting influence on defensive structures.

Reopened to the public in 2020, Hegra attracts visitors exploring the secrets of the Nabataean Kingdom’s second principal city. It unravels the mysteries left behind by ancient civilizations, offering a mesmerizing on-site experience with Roman influences and diverse historical narratives.


Tradition drives the contemporary at Downtown Design Riyadh fair

Updated 21 May 2025
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Tradition drives the contemporary at Downtown Design Riyadh fair

  • Rugs, light fixtures, furniture seek to redefine modern design
  • Carpet ‘The Noorah’ based on Saudi Arabia textiles on display

RIYADH: Design is always evolving, but at Riyadh’s first Downtown Design fair, it is tradition that is shaping the contemporary.

From elegant, oversized rugs to gleaming light fixtures and bold statement chairs, artisanal pieces line up the exhibition halls at Riyadh’s JAX District, showcasing a medley of heritage pieces that are redefining what modern design looks like.

Trame Paris’ collaboration with Maison L. Drucker brings new meaning to Parisian cafe bistro chairs. The “Enlace” collection utilizes an algorithm to generate unique digital patterns that make every customizable chair a one-of-a-kind piece.

Ismail Tazi, founder of Trame, said they were “continuing this conversation between technology and craftsmanship.”

He added that as an Arab he was “very proud because ‘algorithm’ is derived from Al-Khwarizmi — a Muslim scholar who was born in today’s Uzbekistan.

“So it’s really something that represents me today and how I’m looking to balance my own heritage and still be part of this cultural revolution and define a new Arab aesthetic within this digital revolution.”

Iwan Maktabi, a brand that specializes in contemporary takes on antique rugs, displayed a number of eye-catching carpets — particularly a piece called “The Noorah.”

Made of handwoven wool and silk, the black base of the wall rug stands out with pink, orange, and silver accents, embellished with gold motifs; and is inspired by traditional Saudi Arabic textiles.

Jordan-based Naqsh Collective centralizes the concept of engravings, which is one of the first forms of art.

Blending architecture and design with traditional embroidery methods, their work becomes a mode for storytelling. One of the pieces on display is derived from the embellishments on women’s thobes, specifically around the collar.

Nermeen Abudail, co-founder of the collective, said: “In this piece, we talk about how the ladies did their embroidery in the backyards. They sat together collectively creating motifs inspired by their flora and fauna.

“Each pattern comes from a region. Amulets, flowers, cyprus trees — each holds a name, comes from a region and tells a story of why it was embroidered.”

Each piece is hand-cut, inlaid, and finished with solid brass on walnut wood.

The four-day event, running until May 23, showcases collectible works and ultra-high-end collections presented by international galleries, independent designers and manufacturers.


Art Basel to launch new fair in Qatar

Updated 21 May 2025
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Art Basel to launch new fair in Qatar

  • Sheikha Al-Mayassa is leading the initiative in Doha
  • Builds on ‘thriving ecosystem of culture and sports’

DUBAI: Art Basel is set to launch a new edition of its globally renowned fair in Qatar, scheduled for February 2026 in Doha.

Announced on Tuesday, the inaugural Art Basel Qatar is a joint partnership between the organization’s parent company MCH Group, Qatar Sports Investments, and QC+, a cultural commerce collective.

The fair will be held at M7 and the Doha Design District in Msheireb, at the heart of the city’s creative quarter.

It promises a tightly curated showcase of leading modern and contemporary art galleries, spotlighting talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.

The initiative builds on Qatar’s long-term cultural vision, championed by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums.

“We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports … and are pleased to welcome the Art Basel organization as our partner,” she said.

The project follows Qatar’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup and aims to further position the nation as a hub for arts, sports, and tourism.

QSI’s Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi called the partnership “part of the legacy” of the World Cup and a new chapter in QSI’s investment in culture.

Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz said the initiative “supports artists and galleries and develops new collecting audiences,” while MCH Group CEO Andrea Zappia added that it “will attract art buyers and fans from the region and all over the world.”

Art Basel Qatar will be the fifth fair in the Art Basel portfolio, joining editions in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris.


Elyanna to perform at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts

Updated 21 May 2025
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Elyanna to perform at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts

  • Elyanna known for mix of Arab, Western beats
  • Concerts to feature some of world’s top stars

DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna will perform at this year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After-Race Concerts on Dec. 5 at the Etihad Park on Yas Island.

The young star is expected to sing some of her most popular tracks, including “Ghareeb Alay,” “Mama Eh” and her Arabic rendition of “La Vie en Rose.”

Her performance is a part of the Yasalam After-Race concerts, held alongside the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, one of the UAE’s biggest entertainment and sporting weekends.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Yasalam (@yasalamae)

Elyanna joins a high-profile lineup of artists already announced for the four-night concert series, including Benson Boone on Dec. 4, Post Malone on Dec. 5, Metallica on Dec. 6 and Katy Perry on Dec. 7.

Access to the concerts is exclusive to Formula 1 ticket holders, with each night set to feature large-scale performances at the open-air Etihad Park.

Meanwhile, Elyanna has been normalizing Arabic lyrics in the Western world, taking inspiration from artists including Lana Del Ray and Beyonce, as well as Middle Eastern legend Fayrouz.

The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arab and Western beats, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing.

Elyanna has built a strong relationship with British rock giants Coldplay, collaborating with them on the song “We Pray” and joining them on stage in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Barcelona and Paris.

One of her standout appearances was during Coldplay’s four-night concert series in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, part of their “Music of the Spheres” world tour.

In April, Coldplay announced that Elyanna had again teamed up with the band to release a new version of “Ma Meilleure Ennemie,” a track originally performed by Belgian artist Stromae and French singer Pomme.

The reimagined version is featured on the extended soundtrack for season two of “Arcane,” the popular Netflix animated series based on the League of Legends universe.

The extended soundtrack features a star-studded lineup, including Twenty One Pilots, Stray Kids, King Princess, and D4vd.


Met returns looted Mesopotamian artifacts to Iraq after investigation

Updated 20 May 2025
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Met returns looted Mesopotamian artifacts to Iraq after investigation

DUBAI: Three ancient Mesopotamian artifacts once housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York have been returned to Iraq after an investigation into art trafficking linked to the late British antiquities dealer Robin Symes, authorities announced on Monday.

The return was confirmed in statements by the Met and the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which led the criminal investigation. The artifacts — a Sumerian gypsum vessel from about 2600-2500 BC and two Babylonian ceramic heads dated about 2000-1600 BC — were among 135 looted antiquities linked to Symes and seized earlier this year.

According to The New York Times, the male head sculpture was sold to the Met by Symes in 1972, while the female head and the Sumerian vessel were gifts from a private collection in 1989. All three are believed to have originated from ancient Mesopotamian sites, including Isin and Ur, now in modern-day Iraq.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. said the seizure and return are part of broader efforts to undo the “significant damage traffickers have caused to our worldwide cultural heritage.”

The repatriation was formalized in a ceremony in Lower Manhattan attended by Iraqi officials and Met representatives. The museum said that it had acted upon “new information” received through the DA’s investigation that clarified the artifacts’ illicit provenance.

Authorities estimate the value of the 135 items trafficked through Symes and recovered in New York at $58 million.


 


Lyna Khoudri-starring film ‘Eagles of the Republic’ premieres at Cannes

Updated 20 May 2025
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Lyna Khoudri-starring film ‘Eagles of the Republic’ premieres at Cannes

DUBAI: French Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri’s film “Eagles of the Republic” premiered this week at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, and it received a coveted standing ovation following the screening.

Directed by Swedish Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh, the film is the final chapter in his acclaimed “Cairo Trilogy,” which includes “The Nile Hilton Incident” (2017) and “Boy From Heaven” (2022), the latter earning him the Best Screenplay award at Cannes.

Set in Cairo, “Eagles of the Republic” follows George El-Nabawi, a fading movie star who reluctantly agrees to play a role in a political biopic.

(L-R) Alexandre Desplat, Lyna Khoudri, Amr Waked, Sherwan Haji and Tarik Saleh at the premiere. (Getty Images)

Khoudri portrays Donya, a journalist who becomes entangled in the political intrigue surrounding the film’s protagonist, Fahmy.

The movie also features Swedish Lebanese actor Fares Fares — a longtime collaborator of Saleh — in the lead role, alongside French Moroccan actress Zineb Triki as Suzanne, the Western-educated wife of Egypt’s defence minister, and Egyptian actor Amr Waked as presidential adviser Dr. Mansour.

For the premiere, Khoudri wore a sculptural strapless Chanel dress featuring a voluminous skirt, a structured bodice, and folded detailing along the neckline. The gown was cinched at the waist and flared into pleats. She completed the look with white open-toe heels and a sleek bun.

She attended the premiere alongside Saleh, Waked, French film composer and conductor Alexandre Desplat, and Kurdish Finnish actor, filmmaker and writer Sherwan Haji, who also stars in the film. 

Khoudri, 32, first rose to prominence in her role as Nedjma in Mounia Meddour’s critically acclaimed drama “Papicha.” For her work in the film, she won the Orizzonti Award for best actress at the 74th Venice Film Festival, and she was nominated in the Cesar Awards’ most promising actress category.

Khoudri also starred in the 2019 mini-series “Les Sauvages” and in 2016’s “Blood on the Docks.”

She was also cast in Wes Anderson’s 2021 comedy “The French Dispatch” alongside Timothee Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Owen Wilson.

The actress also stars in Martin Bourboulon’s Afghanistan evacuation drama “In The Hell Of Kabul: 13 Days, 13 Nights,” alongside Danish Bafta-winning “Borgen” star Sidse Babett Knudsen, Roschdy Zem (“Chocolat,” “Oh Mercy!”), and theater actor Christophe Montenez.