TAIF: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal will inaugurate the 10th edition of Souq Okaz on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman here on Tuesday.
Writers, intellectuals, poets and academics from the Kingdom and abroad are scheduled to participate.
The present edition has, for the first time, introduced the Novel Award carrying a cash prize of SR100,000, Okaz Knowledge Award with SR300,000, Okaz Entrepreneurship Award carrying SR200,000 and Okaz Innovation Award with SR100,000.
Seven other prizes are presented during the event, including Young Poet Award with SR100,000 prize money to encourage budding poets, Painting Award with SR100,000, and cash prizes for photography (SR100,000), Arabic calligraphy (SR100,000), folklore (SR100,000), crafts (SR500,000) and Okaz Poet Award with SR300,000.
The souq’s integrated annual program has intellectual, literary, cultural, scientific and heritage aspects that project its vision and objectives aimed at building bridges between the past, the present and the future.
The current edition distinguishes itself for having introduced the theme of “Okaz future,” which entails innovation and cognitive entrepreneurship with the participation of over 50 government agencies and private sector companies on five innovative platforms.
The platforms will tackle modern concepts and host open discussions between decision makers and young Saudis on future technologies through the “reception platform” to reflect a vivid image on cognitive entrepreneurship and current innovations in the Kingdom through the “current platform.”
The “future platform” has been allocated for the aspirations of the Saudi people, while the “human building platform” will host open discussions on applied education, and guide youths toward training workshops that can help them launch projects.
Souq Okaz opens today: Intellectual, poetic treat on offer
Souq Okaz opens today: Intellectual, poetic treat on offer
