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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
Arab News
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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
Updated 24 June 2024
Arab News
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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.

Topics: Beijing International Book Fair 2024

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Gaza-based artist Reem Harazin’s threads of resilience 

Gaza-based artist Reem Harazin’s threads of resilience 
Updated 26 September 2024
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Gaza-based artist Reem Harazin’s threads of resilience 

Gaza-based artist Reem Harazin’s threads of resilience 
  • The designer and artist discusses ‘Native,’ her new fashion collection 
Updated 26 September 2024
Jumana Khamis

DUBAI: Amid the ruins and chaos of Gaza, artist and designer Reem Harazin continues to weave the vibrant threads of Palestinian history into her work.  

Her latest project, “Native” — a collaboration with the lifestyle brand Palestinian Hustle, is more than a collection of garments, it is an intricate portrayal of her people’s past and present, drawing on motifs that reflect and highlight the essence of Palestinian culture. 

“Every element represents a unique facet of Palestinian history and civilization, woven together to form a vibrant narrative,” she tells Arab News. “These elements are inseparable, like the threads of a tapestry, intertwining to tell a continuous story that stretches from the past to the present.” 

Her latest designs depict Palestine as it was before the 1948 occupation. (Supplied)

Her latest designs depict Palestine as it was before the 1948 occupation, showing cities unmarred by checkpoints or settlements, where people moved freely from the river to the sea.  

The outer border of the “Native” T-shirt and hoodie line mirrors the walls of Jerusalem, while olive leaves like those in the pattern of the Keffiyeh — used to symbolize strength and resilience — form the inner frame.  

Within the word “Native,” a fishnet pattern represents Palestinian heritage. The map of Palestine is laced with barbed wire to signify the barriers of separation across the country, alongside the keys of return held by Palestinian families and the Palestinian Liberation peace hand below.  

To Harazin, the cultural elements reflected in her work are just a small part of the Palestinian people’s deep-rooted history, which she describes as being “as complex and interconnected as the branches of a tree.”

Within the word “Native,” a fishnet pattern represents Palestinian heritage. (Supplied)

 

She continues: “These roots are deeply embedded in the land, passed down from one generation to the next, carrying the Palestinian story forward.”  

Behind the beauty of Harazin’s designs lies the harsh reality of survival in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has left her and countless others with an ever-present sense of danger.  

“There’s no safe place here, not even in our own homes. Death is always lurking, a shadow that could swallow us whole in an instant,” she says.  

Just days ago, she was injured while trying to escape a fresh round of violence. “It was a small injury, but it felt like a symbol of the chaos and fear we live with every day.” 

Despite the constant turmoil, Harazin has found solace in her art. 

“Art has been a lifeline for me,” she says. “Whenever war breaks out, I turn to drawing. It helps me process the fear, the pain, the constant barrage of negative thoughts. It’s a way to express what words can’t. It helps me remember who I was before the war; before everything changed.” 

Harazin recalls picking up a pencil for the first time as a child, playing on the streets of Gaza. From those early, messy scribbles to the drawings that now capture her life story, art has always been an integral part of her life. 

“I can still picture my first drawing — a strong Palestinian woman wearing traditional clothes and standing tall like a symbol of resistance. And next to her, always, was the map of our homeland, the place we dreamed of being free,” she says. That image — the strong Palestinian woman — remains a recurring theme in Harazin’s work today. 

Her designs also use the rich, ancient patterns of traditional Palestinian clothing, known for bold reds, intricate embroidery, and symbols of resilience.  

For Harazin, the connection between art and resistance is undeniable.  

“Art is our voice, our way of saying, ‘We’re here. We matter,’” she says. “When words fail us, art speaks for us. It shows our pain, our struggles, and our unwavering spirit. Even in the darkest of times, art reminds us that there’s still beauty in the world.” 

As the conflict intensifies, leaving Gaza has become nearly impossible for Harazin. She had planned to flee to Egypt, but the closure of the Rafah crossing and ongoing military operations in the area have eliminated that possibility. 

“Our fate remains uncertain, and we don’t know what the future holds. All we can do is hope and pray,” she says. “In the darkest of times, we cling to our faith. It’s the only thing that keeps us going.” 

Topics: Gaza art Reem Harazin

Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to return under theme ‘And All That Is In-Between’

Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to return under theme ‘And All That Is In-Between’
Updated 25 September 2024
Jasmine Bager
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Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to return under theme ‘And All That Is In-Between’

Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to return under theme ‘And All That Is In-Between’
Updated 25 September 2024
Jasmine Bager

RIYADH: The Hajj Terminal in Jeddah will play host to the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale from Jan. 25 to May 25.

Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, this edition explores how faith is experienced, expressed and celebrated through emotions, thoughts and creation.

Following the success of the first Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023 — which ran under the theme “Awwal Bait” or “First House” — this time it is titled “And All That Is In-Between.”

There will be over 30 global institutions participating from countries including Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt, Indonesia, the UK and US.

The showcase will include more than 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks including pieces from Makkah and Madinah. They have been loaned by museums including the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In addition, more than 20 artists and collectives from Saudi Arabia and beyond will present new commissions, including Libyan artist Nour Jaouda.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, highlighted the transformative power of the arts in a statement to Arab News.

“Building on the remarkable success of the inaugural edition, the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale comes with greater ambition, expanded partnerships and a diverse selection of artistic and cultural institutions, patrons, as well as artists from Saudi Arabia and countries that have rich Islamic culture and traditions,” Prince Badr said.

Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said the event was growing “through its expert curatorial leadership, and in the participation of world-leading institutions and artists.”

Al-Bakree added that the program would “cement the biennale as a global platform for cultural exchange and a reference point for new research into the field.”

The biennale’s curatorial team is led by Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer and Abdul Rahman Azzam, with Saudi Arabia artist Muhannad Shono as the curator of contemporary art.

Highlights include celestial navigation, Islamic gardens and a competition for the design of a new prayer space, with the winning entry being constructed on-site.

The Vatican Library will participate in the event, showcasing several works from its collections, in “The Art of Numbers” display at the Al-Madar section of the biennale.

“The esteemed collaboration between the library and the biennale offers a tangible opportunity for fostering fraternity through universal symbols, which serve as powerful tools for understanding and connection, promoting dialogue and cooperation among diverse cultures,” archivist and librarian Angelo Vincenzo Zani said.

“This significant project aspires to build bridges between the past, present and future, celebrating the rich diversity of artistic expressions within Islamic culture and standing as a concrete model of integral anthropology.”

The prefect of the Vatican Library, the Rev. Don Mauro Mantovani, said the works going on display at the biennale were extremely rare and invaluable.

“Since the dawn of civilization, numbers, from the simplest contemplation of quantities and relationships among entities to the most intricate mathematical systems and cutting-edge digital technologies, have been a constant companion to human history, forging connections and building bridges between peoples, cultures, societies, as well as philosophical and religious perspectives,” he said.

Topics: Islamic Arts Biennale Jeddah Saudi Arabia

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Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla

Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla
Updated 21 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
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Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla

Azimuth Festival begins in AlUla
Updated 21 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi

ALULA: The Azimuth Festival began in AlUla on Sept. 19, attracting a lively crowd that danced to the beats of techno and EDM, courtesy of a lineup featuring world-renowned DJs and artists from across the globe.

The first day featured a stellar lineup, including Ben Bohmer, YokoO, Ghostly Kisses, The Blaze, Monolink, Eli & Fur, Amine K, and many Saudi DJ’s performing on the Hive stage.

Ahead of his performance, German DJ Ben Bohmer shared his excitement with Arab News: “I’m here in the stunning AlUla in Saudi Arabia. It’s my first time both visiting and performing in this country. I’m thrilled to be here, and I hope everyone is having an amazing time.”

The first day featured a stellar lineup, including Ben Bohmer, YokoO, Ghostly Kisses, The Blaze, Monolink, Eli & Fur, Amine K, and many Saudi DJ’s performing on the Hive stage. (Supplied)

Running from dusk until dawn, the festival embraces the theme “Until the Sun Comes Up,” with performances extending until 7 a.m.

The festival featured two stages: The main stage and the Hive stage, where local artists took the spotlight.

DJ Cosmicat, returning for her third consecutive year, shared her excitement about closing out the Hive Stage on the first night: “Tonight, I’ll be the final act on the DJ stage from 5:20 a.m. until 7 a.m. The vibe is incredible, and the music is calm, perfectly suited to AlUla’s desert atmosphere. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of the AlUla desert, the venue provided the perfect space for music-lovers of all ages and nationalities to gather, dance and enjoy the experience. (Supplied)

“It allows everyone to take in the beauty of this place and connect with one another. Each year, I see the festival evolving, with new faces and exciting developments,” she said. “I’m so proud of everything happening here. The audience at Azimuth has a distinct taste in music, and I am thrilled because the music I love aligns with this year’s lineup, featuring artists like Eli & Fur, Ben Bohmer and James Blake, all of whom have influenced my sound.”

The fourth Azimuth Festival has celebrated individuality, with attendees showcasing distinctive outfits that reflected their personalities and musical preferences. Set against the stunning backdrop of the AlUla desert, the venue provided the perfect space for music-lovers of all ages and nationalities to gather, dance and enjoy the experience.

The festivities on Thursday began with a captivating 80-minute set by internationally acclaimed DJ YokoO, who displayed his two decades of expertise in house music.

 The fourth Azimuth Festival has celebrated individuality, with attendees showcasing distinctive outfits that reflected their personalities and musical preferences. (Supplied)

Ghostly Kisses then took the stage, mesmerizing the audience with an enchanting performance, followed by The Blaze, who kept the energy alive.

Under the stars, Ben Bohmer delivered a stellar set, setting the tone for the night. Monolink followed with an engaging performance, leading into a dynamic set by Eli & Fur.

Amine K closed out the first night, perfectly capturing the festival’s “Until the Sun Comes Up” theme.

Both Thursday and Friday nights also featured the Hive Stage, which spotlighted a diverse lineup of local, regional, underground and emerging artists.

Topics: Azimuth AlUla

In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  

In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  
Updated 20 September 2024
Rawaa Talass
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In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  

In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  
  • The Saudi artist, who died earlier this month, led an inspiring life of a ‘true pioneer’  
Updated 20 September 2024
Rawaa Talass

DUBAI: Safeya Binzagr, one of Saudi Arabia’s foremost female artists, died on Sept. 12 at the age of 84. Art institutions, artists, cultural experts and enthusiasts and former students were quick to pay tribute.  

Among them was the influential Swiss curator and art critic Hans Ulrich Olbrist, who posted a picture of a handwritten note from Binzagr from 2022. “If you have the will, you will,” it read; a quote that encapsulates Binzagr’s own story as a persevering artist, who has been affectionately called “the mother of Saudi art.”  

Binzagr was born in 1940 in the Harat Al-Sham neighborhood of Jeddah, a place she developed a long-lasting bond with. From a young age, at a time when it was rare for Saudi and Arab women to travel, Binzagr had the opportunity to see the world outside of the Kingdom. When she was seven, her family relocated to Egypt, where she was educated until high school.  

'Zabun' 1969. (Supplied)

Although she was away from her beloved Jeddah, the streets of Cairo reminded her of home. “The scent of the old alleys lingered with her, their images dwelled in her memory, and a strong sense of nostalgia pulled her back to a special place enriched by the warmth of its people, their valuable customs and traditions,” reads a statement published by Darat Safeya Binzagr, the late artist’s cultural center. 

England played an important role in her formative years too. After completing her education in Egypt, Binzagr moved there to attend finishing school, and in 1976, she graduated with a degree in drawing and graphics from London’s prestigious St Martin’s School of Art.  

1968 was a defining year for the artist, then in her late twenties. She showed her paintings publicly for the first time in the Kingdom (along with her Saudi contemporary, the late Egypt-trained artist Mounirah Mosly) at Dar at-Tarbiyah al-Haditha School in Jeddah, making them reportedly the first women to exhibit their art in Saudi Arabia.  

Traditional costumes inside Darat Safeya Binzagr. (Supplied)

During the 1970s and 1980s, the ever-active Binzagr held shows in Jeddah (where she eventually returned), Dharan, Madinah, London, Paris and Geneva. She continues to be honored in public events decades later. For instance, at the Diriyah Biennale in Riyadh earlier this year, a selection of her colorful drawings of women in traditional Saudi attires charmed audiences.  

Binzagr’s oeuvre was mostly devoted to telling a variety of narratives surrounding Saudi culture, everyday scenery and architectural heritage. Whether depicting a wedding ceremony or pilgrims at the Holy Kaaba, children playing games or hardworking fishermen, she was a dedicated chronicler of her surroundings, but also a preserver of native traditions, which some were forgetting as the country rapidly modernized. 

Perhaps Binzagr’s greatest work is “Al Zabun,” her stunning 1969 portrait of a woman dressed in a bright yellow gown, seated against an ornamental background. It has been described as “The Arab Mona Lisa” or “The Mona Lisa of Hijaz.” The title, according to a statement from Darat Safeya Binzagr, refers to the type of dress the woman is wearing.  

'Memories' 1987. (Supplied)

“The bodice underneath, which served as a vest or bra, was fastened by six buttons of silver, gold or diamonds — depending of her wealth — all connected by a chain,” the statement explains. “Her hair is worn in the Mihrama wa Mudawwarah style, in which the hair was braided with a cotton scarf coiled around the head, then covered with a cap.”  

But arguably Binzagr’s greatest achievement in her storied career was the establishment of her namesake cultural center in Jeddah in 2000, where countless students have had the opportunity to study art, thanks to Binzagr’s generosity and commitment to education.  

Safeya's paintings. (Supplied)

One of the center’s former pupils, artist Daniah Alsaleh, told Arab News: “I had the privilege of studying at Safeya Binzagr’s atelier from the early 2000s until around 2008, under the guidance of painter Dorothy Boyer. Safeya created a unique space where students could immerse themselves in the principles of drawing and painting, something that was quite rare at the time. She would often visit our lessons, sharing her personal experiences and stories about her work. Her passion extended beyond art — she was a dedicated collector of traditional Saudi costumes, tea cups, and various artifacts, and had a remarkable eye for beauty. Safeya also opened her extensive art library to the public, fostering a sense of community and education.  

“I am incredibly grateful for the impact she had on my artistic journey,” Alsaleh continued. “Safeya was a true pioneer, dedicated to both art and education, and her contributions will continue to inspire many.” 

Topics: Safeya Binzagr

Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  

Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  
Updated 20 September 2024
Arab News
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Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  

Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  
Updated 20 September 2024
Arab News

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST announced on Thursday the star-studded lineup of artists and DJs from around the world for its 2024 Soundstorm music festival, scheduled to take place from Dec. 12 to 14.

The lineup for the festival’s fifth edition includes US rap stars Tyler, the Creator, Jason Derulo and G-Eazy. Rising hip-hop artist Russ and Nigerian singer Tems, known for her R&B and Afrobeat hits, are also set to perform.

House music fans can look forward to sets from Black Coffee, Afrojack, DJ Snake and trance legend Armin van Buuren. The festival will also feature techno and house acts like Adam Beyer, Bedouin and Ricardo Villalobos, while David Guetta, James Hype and Morten promise electrifying performances.

The electronic lineup also features renowned acts like Meduza, Kölsch, Sonny Fodera, and Folamour, alongside emerging talents Miss Monique, Tita Lau, and Megatronic, offering a diverse range of styles.

The festival will also host previously announced stars, including Eminem, Muse, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Adriatique, Boris Brejcha, Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Brina Knaus, Chelina Manuhutu, Fleur Shore, Baloo, Anmarz, Dorar and Vinyl Mode.

As the region’s biggest music festival, Soundstorm delivers a vibrant mix of music styles and genres from around the world.

Ramadan Al-Haratani, CEO of MDLBEAST, said in a statement: “Soundstorm, the region’s biggest music festival, has successfully made a remarkable impact on the regional and global music scene, making it an eagerly anticipated annual festival for music fans worldwide.

“This has contributed to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the music entertainment sector.”

Topics: MDLBeast SOUNDSTORM

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