Cultural heritage

This picture taken on April 24, 2018, shows Meroitic pyramids at the archaeological site of Bajarawiya, near Hillat ed Darqab, some 250 kilometers northeast of Khartoum.

Sudan's war devastates cultural heritage as rival generals vie for power

Sudan’s civil war is now well into its second year, and alongside forcing the population to the brink of famine, warring parties have also come for its heritage.

A visitor looks at portraits of late Franco-Lebanese film director Maroun Baghdadi and pictures from his movies at the venue of an exhibition dedicated to his memory in Beirut on December 12, 2023, as Lebanon commemorates the 30th annivesary of his death in an accident at the age of 43. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema

As Beirut continues to navigate its path toward recovery, Metropolis Cinema stands as a symbol of the enduring power of art and culture to resist, unite and inspire.

A man checks his mobile phone standing next to his camel while waiting for tourists at the Giza Pyramids Necropolis on the outskirts of Giza on April 30, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Mysterious structure at Egypt’s pyramids could be undiscovered tomb

The l-shaped structure was discovered at Giza’s Western Cemetery, known as a burial place for royal family members in ancient Egypt.

Tourists visit the Chora (Kariye) Church Museum, the 11th century church of St. Savior on August 21, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Erdogan's Byzantine church conversion roils Greece ahead of PM's Turkey visit

The Byzantine-era cathedral's inauguration as a working mosque came just days before a landmark visit to Turkey by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which is due to kick off on May 13.

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Erdogan and Germany's Steinmeier chuckle over doner kebab as ties grow

Steinmeier Kabob

Turkey's famed Van cats see birthrates surge

Turkish Van cats play in an enclosure at the Van Cat Research Center on Feb. 8, 2018, in Van, Turkey.

Nearly 1,000 buildings in Tripoli, Lebanon are at risk of collapse: Amnesty

This picture shows a general view of Lebanon's port city of Tripoli on April 26, 2023. A crushing economic crisis in Lebanon has impelled members of the security forces to take on side hustles to get by, raising concerns about security in the eastern Mediterranean country. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

One year after earthquake, Turkey's ancient Antioch still devastated

Hatay Archaeological Museum after the earthquake.

Gaza 100 days: Palestinian heritage, churches, mosques decimated by Israeli strikes

Orthodox worshippers attend a Christmas mass at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Jan. 7, 2024.

A model wearing clothing from Shahira Mehrez's collection.

'Costumes of Egypt: Lost Legacies': An author's bid to save forgotten identities

Art expert Shahira Mehrez talks about her quest to recollect and preserve the Egyptian women’s traditional costumes.

A ritual of hope: Exploring Istanbul's 'First Day of the Month Church'

On the first day of 2024, hundreds from different faiths, including Muslims, flock to a famous Istanbul church, engaging in ancient rituals that transform New Year's aspirations into realities.

A relief from the foot of the golden sarcophagus of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (r. 1342–1325 BC) in the restoration lab of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Giza, Sept. 21, 2019.

Despite regional tension, Egypt's Grand Museum readies to open

The partially opened Grand Egyptian Museum is enticing visitors with the treasures of Tutankhamun, the “Golden King,” as work continues to complete the complex.

A woman sits with her German shepherd at the Barking Lot cafe in Saudi Arabia.

In cultural shift, Saudi Arabia allows pets on public transportation

Pet owners can now bring their pets onto buses, boats and trains in the kingdom, but only under certain conditions.

hammam ceiling

Turkey's 500-year-old hammam unveils Istanbul's Ottoman secrets

The 16th-century Zeyrek Cinili Hammam, commissioned by corsair-turned-admiral Barbarossa and built by imperial architect Sinan, has found second life after surviving fires, earthquakes and suspicious sultans who feared hammams could be hotbeds of rebellion.

An undated image of the ancient city of Gordion.

Turkey’s new UNESCO sites: City of King Midas, wooden mosques

Among the sites awarded the “world heritage” designation is the ancient city of Gordion, which was once ruled by Midas — the king with the golden touch.

Saudi UNESCO

Analysis

Saudi Arabia hosts first UNESCO session amid massive tourism drive

Recognition of more sites by the global heritage organization may help the kingdom reach its goals of more jobs and revenue from tourism.

By Salim A. Essaid

AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab moviegoers wait to see 'Barbie' as UAE, Saudi screenings loom

The summer box office hit is maintaining its delayed premier date of Aug. 31 in the UAE, Al-Monitor confirmed with Vox Cinemas.

United Arab Emirates

UNESCO D-G Audrey Azoulay and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen

Israel says Saudi Arabia to allow it to attend Riyadh UNESCO event

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay told Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen that the Saudis signed this week a hosting agreement for the 45th World Heritage Committee that should enable the participation of Israeli representatives.

ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: July 2, 2023, 3:04 am

US return to UNESCO leaves Israel in awkward spot

After member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization agreed to take the United States back into the agency's fold, Israel is finding itself on its own.

Breaking | Last Updated: June 30, 2023, 2:28 pm

UNESCO votes in favor of readmitting US, Israel still out

Convening for an extraordinary session, the members of UNESCO voted by a large majority for the United States to rejoin the organization.

Audrey Azoulay

UNESCO chief says door open for Israel to come back

The United States is in the process of rejoining UNESCO after leaving it six years ago, while Israel currently has no intention to once again follow suit.