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Construction of Asaan Heritage Museum in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Begins on International Museum Day

The museum is an initiative of the Misk Foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and authenticity of Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum is an initiative of the Misk Foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and authenticity of Saudi heritage. (SPA)
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Construction of Asaan Heritage Museum in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Begins on International Museum Day

The museum is an initiative of the Misk Foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and authenticity of Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum is an initiative of the Misk Foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and authenticity of Saudi heritage. (SPA)

The Misk Heritage Museum "Asaan" announced on Sunday the start of construction in the historic district of Diriyah during a special ceremony marking International Museum Day.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), Diriyah Company and local media, said Misk Heritage Museum in a statement.

The construction marks a significant milestone in developing a cultural landmark that celebrates Saudi heritage and elevates its global standing. It is a living embodiment of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving its cultural legacy and strengthening national identity, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, said the statement.

Asaan CEO Khaled Al Saqer remarked: "Marking International Museum Day by commencement of construction of Asaan is a historic milestone in our mission to safeguard and celebrate Saudi heritage."

"Asaan’s role extends beyond preserving and displaying artifacts; it seeks to inspire meaningful engagement through immersive experiences that connect past, present, and future generations, strengthening pride in Saudi identity and sharing our cultural legacy with the world," he added.

"Driven by our belief in community participation as a pillar of heritage preservation, Asaan will offer a wide range of interactive programs curated by leading experts. These initiatives aim to foster cultural passion, inspire creativity, and empower all members of society to engage with and celebrate our heritage," he stressed.

Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said, "Asaan is a valuable addition to Diriyah’s portfolio of cultural projects and demonstrates our commitment to presenting the richness of Saudi heritage in a modern way that strengthens its global presence."

"The museum supports our broader goal of establishing Diriyah as a world-class destination that celebrates history, culture, and national identity. We’re excited about the programs and activities Asaan will bring, as they will offer something truly special for the community and for visitors from around the world," he stated.

The museum spans an area of 40,000 square meters and moves beyond the traditional concept of a museum to offer integrated cultural experiences. Through interactive spaces, workshops, and activities rooted in local environments, visitors will be immersed in the daily life of past generations, exploring traditional arts, crafts, stories, customs, and social values. Asaan provides a vibrant window into Saudi culture, showcasing its tangible and intangible dimensions.

The museum is an initiative of the Misk Foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the diversity and authenticity of Saudi heritage. Its contemporary architectural design is inspired by the traditional Najdi style and reflects Saudi Arabia’s rich architectural identity.

Upon opening, the museum will feature a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory specializing in restoring and preserving heritage artifacts and artworks, a hub for knowledge exchange, and a training ground for the next generation of museum professionals.

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‘Anything Goes’: Yoshitomo Nara on His Creative Process as London Exhibition Opens

Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara speaks during an interview at the largest European retrospective of his work at the Hayward Gallery in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. (Reuters)
Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara speaks during an interview at the largest European retrospective of his work at the Hayward Gallery in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. (Reuters)
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‘Anything Goes’: Yoshitomo Nara on His Creative Process as London Exhibition Opens

Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara speaks during an interview at the largest European retrospective of his work at the Hayward Gallery in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. (Reuters)
Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara speaks during an interview at the largest European retrospective of his work at the Hayward Gallery in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. (Reuters)

Artworks by Yoshitomo Nara go on display in London this week in what organizers say is the largest European retrospective of the Japanese artist.

The show, running at the Hayward Gallery by the River Thames, features more than 150 works - drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and installations - nodding to the longtime influences of Nara's works including music, nature, the importance of home and the peace movement.

"This is about 40 years' worth of my work," Nara told Reuters at a press preview on Monday.

"When I look at my work, I don't think what I'm trying to say has actually changed in that time. Whatever period I look at reflects a part of myself, which is why this exhibition is not done chronologically."

Nara, 65, is best known for his portraits of child-like characters with big gazing eyes.

"I think all the pictures I've created are like my reflections," he said when asked about them.

On display are plenty of those kinds of paintings and drawings as well as sculptures.

"Anything goes," says Nara, who was born in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan and lived in Germany early in his career before moving back home, said of his creative process.

"I don't think about what I'm doing, but when I've done something good, I can feel the reason behind it almost like a kind of hindsight."

The show is an expanded version of a touring exhibition previously put on at the Guggenheim in Bilbao and Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden.

"What’s quite interesting, I think, for audiences in London and in Europe overall (is)... we don't actually get to see Nara’s work in person that often," exhibition curator Yung Ma said.

"We’ve all seen his paintings and drawings on our devices...but I think all these kind of images, they don't do the works justice. So it's actually quite important to come and see because you can actually then understand (that)... he’s a really good painter...but you can actually really see the texture of the works and the colors and the layering of the paint."

The exhibition runs from June 10 to August 31.

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