Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Beijing International Book Fair 2024

Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Beijing International Book Fair 2024
Visitors to the Saudi pavilion at Beijing International Book Fair 2024. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 June 2024
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Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Beijing International Book Fair 2024

Saudi Arabia concludes participation in Beijing International Book Fair 2024
  • Kingdom participated at the Beijing International Book Fair as the guest of honor
  • Visitors were able to learn about Saudi culture, arts and heritage through an integrated cultural experience

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has concluded its participation in the Beijing International Book Fair 2024, which was held from June 19 to 23 in the Chinese capital.

Saudi Arabia participated at the Beijing International Book Fair as the guest of honor, where it highlighted aspects of Saudi culture.

The Kingdom’s pavilion was widely visited by the Chinese public, being the highlight of the exhibition, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Visitors were able to learn about Saudi culture, arts and heritage through an integrated cultural experience.

The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission led the effort, while various other cultural entities took part, such as the Heritage Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Fashion Commission, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, the King Abdulaziz Public Library, the Saudi Publishing Association, and the Ministry of Investment.

The Saudi pavilion played a significant role in fostering cultural dialogue and introducing the Saudi culture to the Chinese public through a cultural program that included 15 dialogue sessions.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China had a special pavilion at the exhibition, to emphasize the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language organized the Saudi-Chinese Linguistic Forum in cooperation with the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, which included a symposium — “The Arabic language and the Chinese language, history and relationship.”

The academy’s participation in the Saudi pavilion under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture, was part of its activities aimed at introducing its projects and programs in disseminating the Arabic language, teaching it to non-native speakers locally and globally, and highlighting the efforts of the Kingdom in serving Arabic in a way that enhances the status of the language and culture.

At the book fair several agreements were signed between Saudi and Chinese publishers, including a cooperation agreement that is part of the Tarjem translation initiative, entailing translating into Arabic the books “The Forbidden City: A History of China Since the Fifteenth Century” and “Historical Tales of the Great Wall of China.”

The Beijing International Book Fair was launched in 1986 by the China National Publications Import and Export Group. It is one of the largest book fairs in the world and the most influential in China and the Asian continent, with more than 2,600 exhibitors from 100 countries.


New York’s Met collaborates with Mideast homeware label Sedar on art-inspired furnishings 

New York’s Met collaborates with Mideast homeware label Sedar on art-inspired furnishings 
The Artist_s Garden at Saint-Clair by Henri-Edmond Cross_Wallpaper Art The Met x Sedar Global
Updated 30 October 2024
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New York’s Met collaborates with Mideast homeware label Sedar on art-inspired furnishings 

New York’s Met collaborates with Mideast homeware label Sedar on art-inspired furnishings 

DUBAI: New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Middle Eastern interiors brand Sedar Global are collaborating on a new range of soft furnishings featuring works of art in the former’s collection, with the first launch celebrating nature-themed creations.

Nahel Selo, creative director at Sedar Global Interiors, spoke to Arab News recently about the collection and what he envisions the most popular prints will be — including whether there are plans to feature Arab artists.

The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai as wallpaper. (The Met x Sedar Global)

The works of artists including French impressionist Claude Monet, Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, Japanese printmaker Katsushika Hokusai and Austrian painter Gustav Klimt have been translated into fabric form.

They will be used for wallpaper, curtains, upholstery and pillows to “(make) fine art accessible in a way that fits seamlessly into the home,” Selo said.

According to Sedar, the initial release “celebrates nature and new life through elements like land, sea, and air” and Selo explained the decision to launch with this collection.

Roses by Vincent van Gogh in the form of a roller blind. (The Met x Sedar Global)

“Nature has a universal appeal, and we felt that it’s something people can connect with on a deeper level, especially in our region where the landscape is diverse yet often harsh … plus, nature-themed designs are versatile; they complement both contemporary and traditional interiors,” he said.

While the target market includes individual homeowners and interior designers working on larger projects, Selo predicts that the “sea-inspired pieces might steal the show.

Red Poppies Charles Demuth on pillows.(The Met x Sedar Global)

“There’s something about the fluidity and tranquility of the ocean that speaks to people, especially in coastal areas.”

Future seasonal introductions will be thematic in nature, drawing on the 1.5 million works in The Met’s collection, which spans 5,000 years of art from around the globe.

When it comes to Middle Eastern creatives, Selo says the team at Sedar, which translates the artworks into pattern-form and soft furnishings before they are approved by The Met, is “looking into it.

“It would be a beautiful way to celebrate our regional culture. We’re exploring ways to bring in local artistry and add that unique Middle Eastern touch to future capsule collection releases,” he noted.

Grasshopper and Iris by Katsushika Hokusai as wallpaper. (The Met x Sedar Global)

When it comes to his own home, the creative designer is not one to shy away from bold uses of color and print.

“My home is slightly more bold and industrial. So I’d probably go for a (Wassily) Kandinsky on a wallpaper feature behind my sofa.

“Kandinsky’s geometry styles add depth and a statement talking point to a space,” he said, referring to the abstractionist Russian painter who died in 1944.


May Calamawy celebrates her birthday with tribute to Palestine

May Calamawy celebrates her birthday with tribute to Palestine
Updated 30 October 2024
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May Calamawy celebrates her birthday with tribute to Palestine

May Calamawy celebrates her birthday with tribute to Palestine

 DUBAI: Egyptian Palestinian actress May Calamawy celebrated her birthday this week with a tribute to Palestine.

The star took to Instagram to share a picture of her cake, decorated with a doll centerpiece, colorful candles, and gold flakes. She captioned it “unhinged and reaching for the (stars),” adding star emojis, and continued with “Free Palestine” written in Arabic.

Her friends and fans quickly took to the comments section to send their well wishes to the actress. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by May Calamawy (@calamawy)

Calamawy has been actively using her platform to advocate for and support the people of Palestine, sharing images of herself wearing the keffiyeh scarf and posting content that sheds light on the war in the region.

Last month, the actress starred in a campaign for Egyptian Canadian brand Kotn, which creates clothing made from 100% Egyptian cotton. The brand released a Fall/Winter collection titled “El Nady,” which means “the club.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kotn (@kotn)

In a short skit shared on Instagram — paying tribute to co-founder Rami Helali’s childhood memories in Cairo’s iconic sporting clubs — Calamawy and her co-stars, including Canadian comedian Dave Merheje, Egyptian American comedian Kareem Rahma, Palestinian American podcaster Noor Elkhaldi and Yemeni American actress Zainab Johnson, sported jerseys that read “Nabulsi Soap,” styled with pieces from the collection.

For example, Calamawy wore a knit cardigan over the jersey along with a skort, Johnson paired hers with a blazer, Rahma added a cream cardigan and Merheje accessorized with a bandana under a cap.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by May Calamawy (@calamawy)

Calamawy is blazing a trail as one of Hollywood’s rising stars. Her breakthrough role came in 2019 as a series regular on Hulu’s Peabody-winning and Emmy-nominated comedy series “Ramy.”

The actress, who was born in Bahrain, also played the role of Layla El-Faouly in Marvel miniseries “Moon Knight.” Her dual character is the wife of Oscar Isaac’s Marc Spector — an archaeologist who by season’s end had transformed into the superhero Scarlet Scarab.

Calamawy previously told Arab News that acting alongside Isaac and Ethan Hawke was “intimidating, like, really intimidating at first.”

She explained: “Once I got to know them, I would be, like, ‘Guys I’m intimidated,’ and that helped. After a while you don’t care anymore and its fun because I got to have a masterclass with the best.”


What to expect at Hia Hub 2024

What to expect at Hia Hub 2024
Updated 29 October 2024
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What to expect at Hia Hub 2024

What to expect at Hia Hub 2024

DUBAI: Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s fashion, beauty and lifestyle conference, returns for its fourth edition in Riyad’s JAX District.

Taking place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, the event will feature discussions, masterclasses, workshops, interactive exhibitions and live performances.

Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk will host a meet-and-greet on Oct. 31, while on Nov. 2 Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri will talk about her career, challenges within the entertainment industry, and her personal development.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hia Magazine (@hiamag)

Iraqi YouTuber and content creator Noor Naeem, known as Noor Stars, will present a talk titled “Redefining Digital Success” on Oct. 31, where she will discuss achieving success in the digital world. The session will cover her methods for engaging with followers, balancing creativity with practical business strategies, and her experiences collaborating with major global brands.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hia Hub (@hiahubofficial)

Egyptian dancer and actress Fifi Abdou will join a discussion on Nov. 3 titled “Fifi Abdou on Redesigning Arab Entertainment,” where attendees can learn about her career path, contributions to the arts, and her role in Arab entertainment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hia Hub (@hiahubofficial)

Also on Nov. 3, Saudi influencer Yara Al-Namlah, founder of Saudi skincare brand Treat, will host a session with her mother to discuss the personal experiences and family rituals that have shaped their skincare routines.

Masterclasses will include Lebanese celebrity makeup artist Bassam Fattouh, who will share tips and tricks; Maria Tash, who will offer insights on the art of piercing and fine jewelry design; Oscar de la Renta creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who will discuss couture craftsmanship; and a skincare masterclass with Inge Theron, founder of FaceGym.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hia Hub (@hiahubofficial)

International brands such as Benefit, YSL Beauty, Dior, Clinique, The Ordinary, Hublot, Shiseido, Guerlain and more will offer opportunities to connect with professionals and engage in hands-on learning through a series of workshops.


Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series
Updated 29 October 2024
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Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

Actress Jameela Jamil to star in new TV series

DUBAI: Actress, activist and presenter Jameela Jamil took to social media to show off an outfit by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika in Morocco, days after it was announced she will star in “Hysterical” — a new feminist dramedy from Olivia Lee semi-inspired by controversial figure Andrew Tate.

The strapless, form-fitting gown, in a sleek white fabric, featured vertical cut-outs along both sides from the bust to the hem, with small circular accents framing the openings.

Jamil was in Morocco for the sixth Fashion Trust Arabia Awards, which took place in Marrakech. 

For the event, she wore a black, strapless gown with a slightly plunging sweetheart neckline. The structured, voluminous skirt featured a glossy finish with faint circular patterns, while the bodice was embellished with texture and shine.

Fashion Trust Arabia is a non-profit organization that provides financial support, guidance and mentorship to emerging designers from across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The awards attract industry heavyweights from around the world, with the 2024 ceremony attended by the likes of Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, British model Jourdan Dunn, Egyptian-Dutch model Imaan Hammam, Lebanese-British fashion entrepreneur Karen Wazen, and American-Lebanese supermodel Nour Arida.

Jamil’s new series, “Hysterical,” also stars Naomie Harris and Romesh Ranganathan. Harris plays Leonora, a therapist who spirals into a world of toxic masculinity after her daughter is assaulted.

She learns the boy responsible is a fan of Tommy T, an influencer known for spreading harmful advice among young men. During a weekly “rage release” session with friends, Leonora, fueled by anger and alcohol, convinces the group to act and bring him down.

The plot is inspired by events surrounding Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer with over 10 million followers who once stated that women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.

“UMMMM A comedy series about female rage? Sign me up!” Jamil, who is British Pakistani, wrote on Instagram, sharing the news with her 3.8 million followers.

“Hysterical” is being produced by Ranganathan’s company, Ranga Bee Productions. It has not yet been announced when it will be televised.


HIGHLIGHTS: Vian Sora’s ‘House of Pearls’ at The Third Line in Dubai

HIGHLIGHTS: Vian Sora’s ‘House of Pearls’ at The Third Line in Dubai
Updated 25 October 2024
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HIGHLIGHTS: Vian Sora’s ‘House of Pearls’ at The Third Line in Dubai

HIGHLIGHTS: Vian Sora’s ‘House of Pearls’ at The Third Line in Dubai

DUBAI: Highlights from Vian Sora’s ‘House of Pearls,’ which opens at The Third Line in Dubai on Oct. 31.

‘Biomimicry III’

Iraqi-American artist Vian Sora’s latest show “House of Pearls” is a collection that — according to The Third Line, where the exhibition runs until Dec. 5 — uses “pearls as a metaphor for achieving stability and the needed structural integrity for life itself to regenerate.” In it, Sora “explores … caustic cycles, the solid and fluid violent states intrinsic to nature from which pearls grow.”

 

‘Olivine’

Sora left her home city, Baghdad, following the US invasion of Iraq. In “House of Pearls” she draws on her experience as an immigrant and a survivor of war and “reflects on the uncertainty and shifting boundaries of existence, capturing the physical, mental and emotional toll experiences across nations, cultures, and time.”

 

‘Exhale’

Sora begins each work with just three colors, which she builds on gradually to achieve up to 20 colors in a piece. They depict “imagined landscapes and seas marked with distorted Arabic calligraphy” and are intended to “capture the vulnerability and courage of displaced individuals.” Abstraction, Sora says, allows her to “dive into the subconscious in a way that is impossible to replicate through illustration.”