Culture Beyond King Tut: Cairo’s Egyptian Museum looks to reinvent itself With Cairo's Egyptian Museum approaching its 125th anniversary, efforts are underway to reposition it on the cultural map in light of competition from newer, glitzier museums. Egypt
Culture Saqqara’s next chapter: How Egypt is modernizing its oldest necropolis Egypt has launched a major project to develop access to the Saqqara archaeological sites, which — according to archeologists — hold some of Egypt’s most important ancient sites spanning across multiple civilizations. Egypt
Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic sites despite its conversion into a mosque. Turkey
Culture Tyre, Lebanon’s ‘Queen of the Seas,’ devastated by Israeli bombing: What to know A series of Israeli strikes near ancient ruins in the Phoenician port city has raised concerns about potential damage to historical landmarks. Lebanon
Analysis Pushed out of Sahel, Macron turns to Egypt and Africa's anglophone countries By Rina Bassist , Rosaleen Carroll
Egypt’s Coptic heritage jeopardized due to lack of funds Cairo’s Coptic Museum has 18,000 icons, carved stones, frescoes and manuscripts in its 27 halls — but few know about it. Egypt
Syrian war refugees find solace in song in Cairo Some Syrians in Egypt have formed bands to make a living and remember their homeland through music. Egypt
Syrian folk dancers stomp their way into Egyptian society Syrian refugees who formed a dabke troupe four years ago are increasingly popular at Egyptian weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Egypt
Armenian ceramics artist keeps ancient craft alive in Jerusalem The ancient art of ceramics and tile making lives on in Jerusalem, where the artistic tradition has become part of the treasured local heritage. Palestine
Meze makers spill their beans in Turkey's Mediterranean port Turkey’s first Meze Festival held in Antalya Sept. 14 brought together chefs from Beirut to Athens, to showcase how a handful of beans may yield different tastes across the region. Turkey
Jordanians celebrate sweet success with kanafeh Kanafeh, a Middle Eastern sweet that has its roots in Turkey, has found its way via Palestine to Jordan, where despite the influx of Syrian refugees and a struggling economy pastry shops are thriving. Palestine
Photography, opera come together in Tel Aviv A new exhibition invites seven leading Israeli photographers to interpret the Israeli Opera 2017-2018 season through their own perspectives. Israel
Egyptian proposal to protect formal Arabic has journalists worried Critics say a draft law intended to preserve traditional, formal Arabic and discourage the use of the modern Egyptian dialect threatens the freedom of the press. Egypt
Culture Alert: November the month for contemporary art, photography Several major art events are entering their final weeks and months in the region. Egypt
Why Turkey’s 'naked art' needs protection Stuck between censorious local authorities and vandals ready to smash what they do not like, statues of nudes are quietly being removed from public spaces. Turkey
Alexandria’s France Street still living in its golden age Alexandria's cherished gold district is nestled into an ancient corner where the city's rich heritage and multicultural past is still vibrant. Egypt
Lebanon battles to get its treasures back A marble bull’s head and a statue of a calf bearer, stolen in 1981, are due to return to Lebanon after a legal battle with private collectors in the United States. Lebanon
