The Eastern Mediterranean provided the setting for Pope Leo XIV’s first steps on the global stage. By traveling to Türkiye and Lebanon, lands marked by ancient Christian memory and complex religious histories, and marked today by geopolitical strain, the head of the Catholic Church articulated a vision of dialogue amid fragmentation and uncertainty.

On the evening of November 7, 2025, a crowd gathered in central Tehran to witness the unveiling of a new statue: Shapur I, depicted in the act of defeating the Roman Emperor Valerian. The scene was visually striking, but its significance ran deeper. Iran has long maintained an uneasy relationship with its pre-Islamic past, oscillating between pride and ideological caution.

Every year on 26 November, UNESCO marks World Olive Tree Day, a relatively new observance (proclaimed in 2019) that reflects a very old reality: the olive tree has been woven into human history for millennia (UNESCO, 2019). As food, fuel, medicine, and timber, Olea europaea has shaped Mediterranean economies and landscapes; as symbol and metaphor, it has carried meanings of wisdom, peace, and endurance from antiquity to the present.

Archaeotourism is the intersection of archaeological heritage and tourism, and it has emerged as a major force in cultural economies worldwide. While it stimulates development, employment, and cross-cultural exchange, it also places unprecedented strain on fragile heritage sites and local communities. Every year on 27 September, World Tourism Day  reminds us that travel is more than movement, it is an exchange of ideas, cultures, and identities. Archaeotourism captures where

These are important months for Egyptian culture. On November 1, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo will host its Grand Opening, attended by international leaders and distinguished guests, before opening to the public on November 4. Located near the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the GEM will showcase over 100,000 artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection, offering a comprehensive view of ancient Egyptian civilization. Beyond its vast collection, the Grand

Walking along Istiklal Caddesi, the great pedestrian artery of Beyoğlu, you might be surprised to come upon a neo-Gothic church that...

Starting at İstanbul’s Atlas Cinema Museum and sailing back in time Meeting the Amentü Ship at Atlas Cinema Museum Step into the İstanbul...

Thirty-five years after establishing diplomatic ties, Saudi Arabia and China are opening a new chapter with the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. Announced in March by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the year-long program highlights culture as a bridge between two civilizations with ancient roots and global ambition. This approach reflects the soft-power policies that both nations have embraced, using culture, art, and education to reinforce political and economic ties as a pa

Step into the heart of Dubai Mall. If you pause for a moment among the designer shopfronts and neon cafés, you’ll notice something that...

We’re excited to announce that Leeson Consulting, LLC is evolving. As part of our continued growth and deepening engagement with partners...