https://arab.news/m37d9
RIYADH: The Culinary Arts Commission will host the Taste of Saudi Culture event in Tokyo, Japan, from Nov. 8-10, showcasing the rich culinary culture of Saudi Arabia and highlighting the diversity of dishes in the Kingdom.
The event will feature booths presenting authentic Saudi dishes and products, live performances and a range of other cultural activities.
It highlights the commission’s efforts to promote Saudi culinary arts internationally and showcase the Kingdom’s culture.
RIYADH: Arab media professionals attending the Noor Riyadh festival have highlighted the significant artistic activity in Saudi Arabia, noting that the movement drives creativity and innovation in the Kingdom’s contemporary arts scene.
Noor Riyadh serves as a platform for cultural exchange, aligning with Riyadh Art’s goal of nurturing local talent and boosting the capital’s cultural economy.
The festival, held under the theme “Light Years Apart” until Dec. 14, features artworks by over 60 artists across three hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifa, and JAX District.
Some 43 international artists from countries including Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Turkiye, the UK, the UAE, and the US are showcasing their work, in addition to 18 Saudi artists.
Sara Al-Abri, a journalist at Oman’s newspaper Al Roya, told Arab News that the festival stood out for its diverse artworks, with the use of modern technologies like digital lighting and interactive art creating a unique experience.
She said: “What particularly caught my attention was the innovative integration of art and technology, adding depth and beauty to the venue.”
She added that the event also embodied Saudi Vision 2030, which promotes culture and the arts.
“I noticed a growing interest in contemporary and digital arts in Saudi Arabia, alongside traditional arts,” she said.
Mohammed Alafthan, TRT World correspondent in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), said contemporary arts in the Kingdom were making enormous strides and almost racing against time to keep up with global advancements, adding: “Saudi society, in all its segments, has a deep appreciation for creativity and visual arts.
“The integration of the Kingdom’s ancient civilization with contemporary arts added a magical touch to the Noor Riyadh Festival.”
Ahmed Al-Fadalah, a writer for Bahrain’s newspaper Al Ayam, said: “The event was truly stunning. I was impressed by the diversity of the artistic forms displayed, reflecting the immense creativity of Saudi artists.”
Al-Fadalah highlighted the high quality of the displayed works, and added: “(This) indicates noticeable development in the local art scene.
“An event like Noor Riyadh demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to driving creativity and innovation in contemporary arts.”
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN in New York, will stage events from Dec. 9 to 11 at UN headquarters to celebrate World Arabic Language Day.
This year’s theme is “Arabic Language and AI — Advancing Innovation While Preserving Cultural Heritage,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event will welcome high-ranking international and diplomatic figures.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of the celebration, which displays the academy’s efforts to promote Arabic in global organizations and highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to preserving the language’s cultural and scientific heritage.
The event will include a panel discussion titled “Arabic Translation at the UN,” featuring international experts, and a virtual training course on “Arabic Translation Skills for Diplomatic Purposes” for UN staff.
An Arabic Language Exhibition will feature artistic works and digital displays focused on the language’s beauty, history, and impact on other civilizations. It will reflect Saudi culture’s authenticity while introducing the academy’s activities and publications.
RIYADH: In AlUla, a region rich in history and natural splendor, young Saudi designer Wejdan Al-Faqiri finds her muse. Drawing from the unique essence of her surroundings, she crafts designs that echo heritage and embody the region’s identity.
Al-Faqiri’s venture into clothing design stems from her deep appreciation for AlUla's details, evident in her creations and her love for handicrafts, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.
Recognizing the potential in AlUla’s scenic beauty, such as rock formations and date palms, and historical sites, including ruins, Al-Faqiri translates these elements into products that narrate the essence and long-standing stories of the region.
From clothing to accessories and sculptures, Al-Faqiri’s creations feature natural materials like wool and dates. Her work is characterized by earthy colors and motifs inspired by Nabataean art, the SPA reported.
Al-Faqiri’s designs have garnered praise from tourists and visitors. Through her artistry, she aims to shine a spotlight on heritage preservation and the repurposing of discarded materials.
Riyadh: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 808 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included four anti-personnel mines, 65 anti-tank mines, 731 unexploded ordnances and eight explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 471,842 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
Riyadh: Speakers from all over the world addressed the fourth Riyadh International Philosophy Conference, which concluded on Saturday.
Organized by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, the conference, held at the King Fahd National Library in Riyadh, featured 60 speakers from around the world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Subjects discussed included humanity’s progress and the role of philosophy in shaping a better future in a multicultural world.
Other talks focused on the quality of life, philosophy’s role in societal well-being, improving urban life in the face of diversity, social solidarity for female athletes with disabilities, and the impact of artificial intelligence on human life.
Mohammed Alwan, the commission’s CEO, said that the conference helps philosophy contribute to addressing pressing global challenges through dialogue among thinkers from various countries.
For the first time in Saudi Arabia, the conference partnered with international organizations such as “New Philosopher” and The School of Life, the SPA reported.
The event emphasized philosophy’s role in tackling contemporary societal challenges, exploring principles of justice, virtue, and happiness essential to prosperous societies.
The conference underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to intellectual enrichment and cultural exchange, linking academic thought with real-world applications, the SPA reported.
