Renowned calligraphers display their work at Saudi Arabia’s Souq Okaz

The show allows visitors to learn more about the techniques used in creating art work. SPA

• The souq is a unique chance to dive into a 1,000-year-old culture
• The souq represents an important chapter in the history of the Arabs before Islam

MAKKAH: The Makkah Development Authority took part in cultural events at the 12th annual Souq Okaz by displaying 20 creative works by famous calligraphers at the pavilion of Arabic calligraphy in Okaz Cultural Avenue.
The calligraphy show allows visitors and interested people to learn more about the participating calligraphers’ experiences and techniques used in creating their work. Authentic calligraphy of a series of verses from the Qur’an and proverbs formed the main content of the show. There were Saudi calligraphers such as Nasser Al-Maymoun and Fahd Al-Mujhidi, calligraphers from the Gulf and Arab states such as Zaki Al-Hashimi, and some of the best calligraphers from the Islamic world, including Daood Biktash and Othman Ozjay.
They aimed to promote and encourage visitors’ interest in Arabic calligraphy and related arts. It also represents an initiative by the authority to honor the calligraphers who have made special contributions in the field of calligraphy and modern arts. The show invites interested visitors to benefit from special events to develop their skills, and achieve the authority’s goals of promoting the cultural aspects of society.
Souq Okaz is a unique tourism destination in Taif, and is considered one of the most important in the Kingdom.
For 1,500 years, the festival has organized poetry contests, horse shows and textile workshops. It has become a go-to annual event for those wishing to discover Saudi Arabia’s roots.
In this mountainous town in the middle of the desert, one can discover the foundations of Saudi culture through shows, traditional clothing, handicrafts, art and textiles. The souq is a unique chance to dive into a 1,000-year-old culture.
Many tourists from around the world visit the souq, which has provided a unique historical and artistic forum gathering intellectuals and people interested in literature and culture.
Souq Okaz last year introduced a new event, “Narrator’s Tent” under the supervision of the King Abdul Aziz Research Center (Darah), in which six narrators, four from the GCC countries and two from Saudi Arabia, recounted historical stories about the most important historical events of the Arabian Peninsula.
Okaz Avenue, where most of the events and performances are organized, is considered the most important element of the Souq Okaz. It also includes a number of cultural and heritage events, and theater performances. The Souq Okaz over the years has witnessed comprehensive development due to the efforts of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-
Faisal.
The souq represents an important chapter in the history of the Arabs before Islam. It was more than a trade fair, serving as a cultural, social, economic and political gathering of Arabs.
This year’s edition, which will end on July 13, was opened under the patronage of King Salman, with Egypt the honorary guest.
This is the second edition since the king gave the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) the responsibility of organizing the event, in coordination with executive bodies in Makkah and Taif.