Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures

Special Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
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A dance troupe shares the spotlight at the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
Special Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
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Saudi artists perform at the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
Special Saudi artists perform at the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
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Saudi artists perform at the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
Special Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
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International troupes took part in the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
Special Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
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Saudi artists perform at the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
Special Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
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A international musical ensemble performs during the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)
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Updated 28 January 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures

Saudi Arabia’s Qemam festival becomes an annual showcase for the world’s mountain tribal cultures
  • Asir’s historical palaces hosted bands and dance troupes from across the world for the week-long event
  • Traditions of highland communities were highlighted by the second edition of the festival for performing arts

ABHA: For centuries, mountain tribes have maintained their traditional way of life in some of the world’s most isolated places, preserving a distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage that is rarely seen or heard by wider society. 

That is why Saudi Arabia’s southwestern Asir region recently hosted the second annual Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts, inviting 14 international groups and 16 Saudi ensembles to share their unique dance and storytelling traditions.




A international musical ensemble performs during the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

The week-long event, which closed on Jan. 27, is thought to be the world’s first festival dedicated to performing arts from mountainous regions, featuring acts from Morocco, China, South Korea, Switzerland and India, among other places, to explore their common themes of artistry.

Performances were held at Asir’s Malik Historical Palace, Al-Mushait Palaces, the Castles of Abu Nuqata Al-Mutahmi, Basta Al-Qabil, Abu Shahra Palace in Al-Masqi, Shamsan Castle and Bin Adwan Heritage Village.

 

 

Festival-goer Abdullah Al-Shehri rarely finds opportunities to expose his 4-year-old, Fahad, to his family’s Moroccan heritage. He was therefore thrilled to attend a performance of the Berber ahidouss dance by a visiting Moroccan folk troupe.

“This festival calls for people to see something new. There’s definitely much to see,” Al-Shehri told Arab News.

Abha was the first city in the Kingdom to win the Capital of Arab Tourism title in 2017. The Qemam festival is only the latest event in the region’s cultural calendar that is proving a draw for domestic and foreign tourists alike.  

“I think the program will make Saudi Arabia an international center for mountain performing arts as it’s going to be an annual event and attract more and more participation from around the world. Hopefully, it will attract more tourism as well,” Sultan Al-Bazei, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, told Arab News.

Last year’s festival saw a gathering of troupes from all of the Kingdom’s mountainous areas, from Tabuk in the north to Najran in the south. This year saw an expanded program, creating a cross-cultural dialogue between mountain cultures worldwide.




A international troupe performs during the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

“This will make it a unique opportunity for researchers to study the similarities, if there are any, or the differences between the performing arts of the mountain areas around the world,” Al-Bazei said.

“We think that most of the body movements have similarities of some sort. It’s very important for people to see other cultures, how they celebrate with dances and songs of their own.”

At the festival’s opening ceremony, the various international troupes performed together as part of a cross-cultural parade.

“During this parade, some of the groups were dancing together, sometimes to the tunes and rhythms of the others, which actually makes the point that culture and art bring people together,” Al-Bazei said.




International troupes took part in the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts opening and parade. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

Anthropologists and performers view folk dancing as a form of storytelling using a universal language. 

“It’s like art. For us, it lives in our blood. It’s not only history. This is life, and if you come to our performance, you will see that every dancer’s eyes are happy. It’s our happiness to dance,” Bachana Chanturia, artistic director of the Georgian National Ensemble, told Arab News.

The group was first established in Sukhumi under the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia in 1931 with the name Apkhazeti. It later relocated to Tbilisi, Georgia, after the 1992 war.

Composed of 70 members, the group uses music and dance to showcase Georgian history. In contrast with most traditional dance companies within the region, the ensemble innovates traditional folklore by incorporating new trends, concepts, and modes of storytelling.

 

 

At the Qemam festival, the group performed a 20-minute show at the Shamsan Historical Palace consisting of three dances — shvante, chamba and vazha — earning perhaps the biggest round of applause of the entire festival.

Using quick, dynamic motions, the mixed-gender dance troupe’s performance tells the story of the Svanetians, a people of the highland region of Svaneti in northwest Georgia, near the border with Russia — a Caucasus area characterized by snow-capped peaks and deep gorges.




A international ensemble performs during the Qeman International Festival for Mountain Performing Arts in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

The group’s performance then transitions into a traditional Abkhazian dance, telling a thrilling story of a competitive horse race over the mountains, complete with equestrian clothing.

The dance is an emblem of love, courage, respect for women and competition through the imitation of mountain wildlife. The routine ends with the Vazha mountain sequence originating from Georigia’s Khazbegi region.

In Georgia, artistic performances are woven into the fabric of the community. From the age of 5 or 6, children are taught to dance, sing and play musical instruments and are later encouraged to join one of the many professional dance groups.




Musicians from various parts of the world take part in the Qemam International Festival in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

From the mountain city of Baysun, Uzbekistan, the song and dance ensemble Navbakhor brought the traditional Soul of Baysun dance to the peaks of Abha.

“It’s a special dance where they imitate some instruments, (wear special) hats, and each movement has an idea. It’s not just a dance, it’s a philosophy of the region of Uzbekistan,” Alibek Kabdurakhmanov, who heads the ensemble, told Arab News.

Under the Uzbekistan State Philharmonic, the group works to popularize the musical and choreographic arts of the country. Its members wear bright traditional clothing made from colorful shades and embroidered with gold thread.

According to Kabdurakhmanov, the group’s aim is to encapsulate the energy and universal message of peace embraced by the people of Baysun.




A Saudi artisan showcases her work as part of the festival in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

Kabdurakhmanov commended the Saudi Ministry of Culture for establishing the mountain performing arts festival and for prioritizing the preservation of cultural heritage.

“I think you will do very important things,” said Kabdurakhmanov. “When Uzbek nationals visit for the first time, they will see your history, your traditions, your culture, and take some part of you and bring it back to our country.

“I think it’s the most important part of development, and people in Saudi Arabia will see other cultures. It’s good for integration.”

A Montenegrin group presented a dance titled, “The dance from old Montenegro,” representing the region’s mentality, communicated through bird-like movements between mountain peaks.




A Montenegrin troupe performs “The dance from old Montenegro.”  (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

Led by artistic director Mirsad Ademovic, members of the Montenegrin Cultural and Artistic Association Ramadan Sarkic wore national costumes from all over the region, including several museum pieces.

Montenegro itself is a multicultural nation, home to many Albanians and Bosnians. The incorporation of various identities has been crucial to maintaining peace in the Balkan region, Ademovic told Arab News.

He says the festival offered an opportunity for Montenegro and Saudi Arabia to connect through the art of storytelling.




Saudi artists perform the traditional sword dance as they lead the parade during the opening day of the Qeman International Festival in Abha. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

This year’s event featured Saudi folk dances including the ardah, a form of performative martial arts widely performed in the Asir region and inspired by historical battles, now reimagined as a tool for storytelling.

“Folklore is greatly appreciated by many viewers and visitors, conveying to them the remarkable nature of the region and its past,” Abdullah Al-Shaher, the ardah group’s coordinator, told Arab News.

“Such festivals preserve the Kingdom’s heritage in general and pass it on to future generations and invite everyone to be a member of the participating troupes to pass on what they inherited from their ancestors.”

 


Local content will drive KSA growth, AmCham forum told

Local content will drive KSA growth, AmCham forum told
Updated 12 sec ago

Local content will drive KSA growth, AmCham forum told

Local content will drive KSA growth, AmCham forum told
  • The panel discussion revolved around the industrial transformation taking place in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030 reforms
  • Forrest Young, president of AmChamKSA Jeddah Chapter, welcomed representatives from Zahid Industries, Johnson Controls Arabia, SAWACO, and MARS Arabia

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s “Road to Localization” was the focus of an American Chamber of Commerce Jeddah Chapter event featuring industry experts and representatives of leading corporations.
The panel discussion revolved around the industrial transformation taking place in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030 reforms.
Forrest Young, president of AmChamKSA Jeddah Chapter, welcomed representatives from Zahid Industries, Johnson Controls Arabia, SAWACO, and MARS Arabia.
“As a G20 member and the 18th-largest economy globally, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant industrial metamorphosis, with localization being one of the primary pillars of the Kingdom’s ambitious vision,” he said.
“It has spurred numerous initiatives to increase domestic value creation, adapt to a rapidly evolving economic landscape, foster future prosperity, and generate sustainable job opportunities for the nation’s growing workforce.”
Nizar Kammourie, CEO of SAWACO, said: “As part of our project Rabigh 3 IWP, we are proud to contribute to the local content effort in Saudi Arabia where the production and procurement of goods and services support the country’s economic growth and development.”
“We are also committed to supporting local content policy by sourcing goods and services from local suppliers wherever possible. We believe that this not only benefits the local economy but also helps to build strong partnerships with local businesses.”
Kammourie said that the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority is playing a vital role in evaluating the level of local content in various sectors.
“As a responsible project company, we are fully supportive of the LCGPA’s efforts, and are always looking for ways to increase the participation of local businesses and manufacturing in our projects.”
Mohanad Al-Shaikh, Johnson Controls CEO, outlined an initiative aligned with the National Industrial Strategy announced recently by the Ministry of Industrial Affairs.
“Through this initiative, we are ensuring Saudi students before they graduate from high school get familiar with the manufacturing process and be a part of the ecosystem. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industrial Affairs and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce through the industrial council, around 3,000 students will be assigned to visit the York factory,” he said.
Zeina Alnouri, Jeddah Chapter coordinator, said that the AmCham Saudi Arabia event brought together key industry leaders “and allowed attendees to gain a deeper understanding of localization and embrace it.”


Saudi foreign minister meets Kuwaiti counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi foreign minister meets Kuwaiti counterpart in Riyadh
Updated 15 min 37 sec ago

Saudi foreign minister meets Kuwaiti counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi foreign minister meets Kuwaiti counterpart in Riyadh
  • The officials reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to boost cooperation and coordination

RIYADH: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, met his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 155th session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh.

The ministers reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways in which cooperation might be enhanced and developed in all areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They also talked about ways to boost Gulf coordination in service of common interests and to help achieve the aspirations of their countries, and shared their views on the latest regional and international developments.

 

 


Saudi fashion brand creates pigeon-house-inspired dress

Saudi fashion brand creates pigeon-house-inspired dress
Updated 15 min 3 sec ago

Saudi fashion brand creates pigeon-house-inspired dress

Saudi fashion brand creates pigeon-house-inspired dress
  • Modeled by Linda Qari, the dress was made of leather with holes of different sizes
  • The pigeon towers were commissioned to be constructed during the reign of King Abdulaziz

RIYADH: Saudi fashion brand Qormuz created a dress called Al-Dalam, inspired by pigeon houses, which received mixed reactions at the Saudi Cup 2023.
Modeled by Linda Qari, the dress was made of leather with holes of different sizes.
Owner of Qormuz, Abdulrahman Al-Abed, told Arab News: “We created the outfit as an inspiration from the pigeon tower in the Al-Dalam region, a neighborhood close to the Al-Kharj region, with the intention of causing this visual disturbance.”
The pigeon towers were commissioned to be constructed during the reign of King Abdulaziz who wanted a place for migratory pigeons to rest. But decades later, it became a source of inspiration for Al-Abed.
He said: “Those towers were left unoccupied for 60 years before being turned into a tourist destination. The towers served as the inspiration for Al-Dalam bag that we later created.
“We created a full line and participated in fashion shows in Paris, New York, Dubai, Milan, and the Saudi Cup.
“We wanted to draw attention to the towers and reshape it into clothing. We used engineering technology to do this ... our body was the pigeons emerging from the dress,” he added.
The dress received criticism online due to its peculiarity but made “a global impact.”
Al-Abed said: “Of course, the piece will receive criticism because it is unique. However, the numbers speak for themselves because Al-Dalam was one of the most searched terms then, and more than 15 million people viewed the dress (on social media and Google).”
Qormuz has been wowing the fashion world with its thought-provoking designs in jewelry, clothing, home accessories, silverware, leather, and fragrances since 2017.
“The piece I love the most is the oud bracelet because my family has been in the oud and incense trade for more than 35 years.
“Our products and fabrics come from Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Denmark, India, and many other countries. However, we have a whole collection called 1902, commemorating the battle for Riyadh’s conquest. We showcased the entire collection of Saudi fabrics, threads, and leather for this collection,” Al-Abed added.
The brand is committed to bringing the past to life in a way that is consistent with the present, the future, and Vision 2030.
He said: “Our keenness is one of the first building blocks in Qormuz to focus on building a solid identity capable of bringing heritage to today and tomorrow and attracting talents from the people of the country.
“Deep research and visits to historical sites and presence in the most important events that take place in the Kingdom, such as the events of the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Cup, as well as our presence in Dubai Expo.”
Qormuz means crimson red color. The brand chose the name because in the past, it was one of the most challenging colors to make as it would have to be first extracted from prickly pear insects. The color was rare, hence expensive, and popular. Its discovery made a revolution in the world of colors.
“The color made a revolution, us as a brand we chose this color because we are making a revolution in the world of fashion,” he added.
Al-Abed majored in both law and business administration. He did not study design but grew up in a creative atmosphere because his father was a calligrapher and artist.
Inspired, Al-Abed entered the design field out of love and passion.


King Salman arrives in Jeddah from Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 22 March 2023

King Salman arrives in Jeddah from Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. (File/SPA)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday ahead of Ramadan which will start on Thursday.

The king was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by the deputy governor of Makkah region Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz and was accompanied by various officials. 

King Salman left Riyadh earlier on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported.


Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry
Updated 22 March 2023

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

Umrah pilgrims must book via app, says Saudi interior ministry

JEDDAH: Pilgrims who wish to perform the Muslim Umrah ritual are now required to reserve an appointment via the Nusuk or Tawakkalna apps, the Saudi interior ministry announced on Tuesday.

“The Umrah security plan for (this) year included managing and organizing crowds and traffic, providing humanitarian services, supporting and empowering the entities participating in implementing the plan, and distributing manpower,” said Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami.

He said that there were a “sufficient” number of bookings available, and called on pilgrims to adhere to their specific dates, all of which were being organized in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference for the leaders of the Umrah security forces on the ministry’s plans and preparations for this year’s Umrah season at the 911 Unified Operations Center in Makkah, the state-run SPA news agency reported.

“The expected densities in public transport stations at the entrances to Makkah and the vicinity of the Third Ring Road and next to the Holy Mosque of Makkah were taken into account, and the paths were reorganized to ensure crowd movement safety,” Al-Bassami said.

He stressed the importance of wearing face masks to preserve public health and in compliance with instructions for preventive measures and health regulations.

Al-Bassami said that large crowds would be directed accordingly and beggars who entered these sites would be dealt with firmly and strictly.

Director-General of Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Hammoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj said: “The General Directorate of Civil Defense has completed its preparations in all sites frequented by pilgrims and visitors to ensure readiness, fire prevention and protection, especially in areas that witness high density.”

He said that the Civil Defense had coordinated with authorities to take legal measures by applying regulations and controlling violations.

Al-Faraj said that the directorate was ready for intensive deployment around the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and important sites through safety inspectors and support forces.

He praised the fire and rescue services in Makkah, Madinah, the holy site centers, and the deployment of mobile units at specific times.

Al-Faraj also praised the creation of a number of rapid intervention teams, especially in the central area in Makkah, around the Prophet’s Mosque and other vital sites.

Maj. Gen. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, deputy director-general of the General Directorate of Passports, said that his authority had worked on early social and technical preparations and equipment for the Umrah season, developed plans and executive programs, raised media awareness, enhanced communication, and supported and assisted operating agencies for pilgrims.

He said that the directorate had completed its operational preparations by equipping ports with manpower and modern technologies to easily complete the procedures for pilgrims at all international ports, through qualified staff that spoke a number of languages to guide visitors to adhere to Umrah instructions.