JEDDAH, 3 November 2007 — With an aim of energizing the Riyadh cultural scene and to create a “real interactive” venue for young women writers and artists, a group of young women from Riyadh recently formed a cultural group called “Act.”
The founders of the group, Kawthar Mousa, Ahlam Al-Zaeam and Yumna Salem, all writers in their 20s, said that the Riyadh Literary Club’s activities are strictly academic and dry, something that is unattractive to the younger generation.
“We aim to mingle all cultural activities under the group’s umbrella of having short-stories, poetry, drama, photography, fine arts, and even singing and music,” said 26-year-old Mousa.
She added that real culture is more than just inviting writers for a reading or reviewing a work.
“We don’t want to honor writers by giving them a speech or hosting them once a year. Rather, we wish to activate them to make them feel they are of use,” she added.
The young women formed “Act” in late September. “We have many dreams, including having a women’s drama group,” said Mousa. The group plans first to coach young talented women, who want to act but do not know how to start.
Mousa said that the first step is to invite a women’s drama group from the Eastern province to perform in Riyadh.
“By doing this we want to send a message to the young women of Riyadh that it’s okay to act. Girls here are somehow hesitant due to the strict social environment. Seeing other women of their age acting would encourage them,” Mousa said.
The three founders of “Act” met the women’s committee at the Riyadh Literary Club last Monday to outline their plans and aspirations, and asked the club to allow them space to hold gatherings. “They welcomed our group and agreed to give us two Thursdays from every month to hold our activities, as we wish, with no restrictions,” said Mousa.
However, the club does not have financial support to host the drama group from the Eastern Province and is looking for sponsors.
The group is currently working on a launch day, which they say they want to make unique.
“We will host a singing group that would sing in a chorus some famous lyrics and poems. This way we would be able to convey our message to the audience through something real and not just through usual speeches,” said Mousa. For further details about Act, visit www.cultureaction.maktoobblog.com.
