JEDDAH, 1 June 2008 — More than 200 talented young people will exhibit their creativity beginning today at Jeddah’s International Exhibitions Center. The three-day event, entitled Rahalah (“Traveler”), will include about 150 booths exhibiting various creative talents.
Part art exhibition, part creative industry exposition, Rahalah will spotlight creative Saudis in the areas of fine arts, cooking, photography, writing, fashion, sculpturing, decoration, calligraphy and many other exhibits.
“The exhibition will be inaugurated by its participants,” said Amal Al-Jibreen, founder of Rahalah, when explaining why she chose (against conventional practice with events such as this) not to seek a patron for the event.
The show also includes a number of workshops about creativity copyright and other issues related to the arts, Al-Jibreen said. Some of the artists will be performing their works to attendees.
“The event would be more interactive and different so that people can enjoy and benefit from their visit,” she added.
There will also be a contest, entitled the Bandar Al-Jibreen Award for Achievement, which is named after Al-Jibreen’s late father.
“To enter the contest one needs to present a piece of work, of any type, that takes its inspiration from the Najd region,” said Al-Jibreen.
Rahalah is scheduled to be an annual event, with each year featuring works from a different region of Saudi Arabia. For this kickoff year, the central region of Najd (which contains Riyadh) is being celebrated.
The first prize winner will be awarded a golden compass and SR75,000, the second prize winner will be awarded a silver compass and SR50,000, and the third prize winner will be awarded a bronze compass and SR25,000, she said.
The event costs SR50 for the whole day. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for men and women and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for women only.
