4th edition of Khayrat Al-Baha Festival kicks off/node/2548731/saudi-arabia
4th edition of Khayrat Al-Baha Festival kicks off
1 / 5
Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud, Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park. (SPA)
2 / 5
Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud, Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park. (SPA)
3 / 5
Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud, Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park. (SPA)
4 / 5
Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud, Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park. (SPA)
5 / 5
Under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud, Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park. (SPA)
Fahd Muftah: "the festival comprises 50 areas, 45 of which are dedicated to farmers and five to government agencies"
Updated 12 July 2024
SPA
AL-BAHA: Jedaia Al-Qahtany, the assistant undersecretary for development affairs of Al-Baha, inaugurated on Friday the fourth edition of the Khayrat Al-Baha Festival at Al-Shafa Park under the patronage of Al-Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud.
Fahd Muftah, director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s branch in Al-Baha, said the festival comprises 50 areas, 45 of which are dedicated to farmers and five to government agencies.
He said the five-day festival, along with various entertainment events, will organize workshops, seminars, and courses with the aim of developing farmers’ skills, marketing agricultural products, providing agricultural extension services, and raising awareness on topics pertaining to the field.
Treasure trove unveiled at Jewels of the World in Riyadh
The event will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver
Updated 56 min 26 sec ago
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: Everything that glitters could be gold at the Jewels of the World exhibition in Riyadh, where top local and international jewelry designers are displaying their latest pieces to entice the region’s clientele.
The event, inaugurated by Karim Al-Anzi, president of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, will run until Nov. 6, and features brands showing watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, as well as a range of pieces incorporating diamond, gold, and silver.
The opening night drew crowds of jewelry enthusiasts eager to meet top designers and trendsetters in the industry.
The Jewels of the World is an exclusive boutique event “celebrating the elegant craftmanship of these distinctive pieces,” according to Nader Freiha, the organizer of the exhibition.
The event, inaugurated by Karim Al-Anzi, president of the National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, is organized by Nader Freiha (R). (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia is making major strides toward solidifying its status as a global hub for many industries by hosting various events, he told Arab News.
The exhibition “gathers prominent talent from around the world to showcase their creativity and amazing designs,” he added.
“We are excited to celebrate our 10th jewelry and watches exhibition in the Kingdom, having started this journey in 2016,” Freiha said. “To mark this special occasion, we’ve created 10 unique AI-generated paintings, each reflecting one of the past editions we’ve held. You can view all 10 paintings on display as we commemorate this milestone.”
One of the exhibition highlights is designer Karen Suen’s display featuring a necklace crafted with about 80 carats of emeralds and diamonds.
Designer Karen Suen poses with her display. (Supplied)
The Jewels of the World exhibition features more than 60 jewelry brands from around the world whose collections reflect various styles, from contemporary to one-of-a-kind designs. With their diamond, gold and other precious gemstones, the intricate and innovative craftmanship on display is captivating guests.
Atef Nsouli, chairman of Nsouli Jewelry, noted a significant upward trend in jewelry design, with both local and regional markets showing great promise. He said that the Saudi community has a sophisticated taste for jewelry and diamonds, actively seeking the best pieces while keenly following the latest fashion trends and high-quality craftsmanship.
Nsouli expressed optimism about the sector’s future, emphasizing that quality lies at the forefront of competitiveness among manufacturers and retailers.
Rashid Al-Emadi, executive director of Qatar’s Blue Diamond Group, commented on the continuous evolution of the jewelry sector within the Qatari group to meet the needs of connoisseurs in the Gulf country and the region.
He said people in GCC countries have developed a deep understanding of jewelry, including its types and the precision involved in its production, adding that the regional audience has a refined sense of style and knows exactly what to wear for any occasion.
Al-Emadi also noted that the Saudi market is experiencing intense competition, particularly when it comes to innovative design.
Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats
Celebration of culture, heritage, music and culinary delights from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11
Updated 04 November 2024
Arab News
Riyadh: The Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11, offering a magical fusion of history, culture, music, and culinary delights that capture the spirit of this ancient city.
Named after AlUla Old Town’s traditional sundial, this festival in the AlUla Moments calendar marks the start of the winter planting season.
According to a press release from AlUla Moments, Winter at Tantora will spotlight Saudi Arabia’s vibrant music scene. It will feature acclaimed Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme and the National Arab Orchestra for a unique classical music experience.
The “Macintosh” show will reimagine iconic Arab hits with performances by contemporary stars Ayedh, Aziz Maraka, Zeina Imad and Daffy, under maestro Ahmad Al-Oud.
Music lovers will be captivated by Lebanese composer Marwan Khoury’s collaboration with Croatian cellist Hauser — a not-to-miss partnership.
The Immersive Theater Experience will merge stage action and film, transforming cinema into a sensory delight for fans of both mediums.
Sanaam AlUla Night celebrates the Year of the Camel, blending traditional music with Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. The “In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta – Discovery Tour” offers insights into AlUla’s historical role along the Incense Road.
In Tantora Old Town, vibrant traditional performances, crafts, masterclasses, and storytelling showcase AlUla’s rich cultural heritage.
The Shorfat Tantora concerts return, turning balconies into stages as local and regional orchestras fill the streets with enchanting melodies.
Visitors can also explore AlUla Citrus Season, which highlights the area’s seasonal bounty with a fresh fruit market, handmade products, and competitions.
The Al-Manshiyah Carnival will bring out one’s inner child, while the Future Ancient Makers Space offers families hands-on activities that bring history to life in AlUla Old Town.
Culinary highlights include the return of chef Alain Ducasse’s oasis-to-table dining experience and SASS’ AlUla, a Mediterranean fine-dining establishment blending Monaco’s elegance with a Saudi twist.
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently concluded a week-long voluntary medical program for specialized surgeries at health clinics in Reyhanli, Turkiye, aimed at helping victims of the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake.
During the campaign, the medical team treated 493 patients in the family medicine clinic, 355 in the dermatology clinic, 338 in the optometry clinic, and 173 in the endocrinology clinic, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
In February 2023, KSrelief launched a campaign through the Sahem platform to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye. The appeal has so far raised more than SR524 million ($139.5 million) from over 3.4 million donations.
Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,105 projects worth more than $7.1 billion in 104 countries, in cooperation with 454 local, regional, and international partners.
The bulk of the support has gone to Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($501 million), Syria ($447 million), and Somalia ($233 million).
KSrelief assists people who are visually impaired in Morocco, Afghanistan
The projects are a part of the Saudi Noor Voluntary Project
Updated 04 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, has been assisting people with visual challenges in Morocco and Afghanistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The projects are a part of the Saudi Noor Voluntary Project, according to the SPA.
In Morocco’s Boulemane, KSrelief’s team examined 5,120 individuals, distributed 1,050 pairs of spectacles, and performed 482 specialized operations between Oct. 24 and 31.
In Afghanistan’s Kabul, the volunteers, in cooperation with the World Sight Foundation, examined 4,160 cases and performed 442 specialized surgeries from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1.
The projects for people with visual disabilities are a part of ongoing voluntary medical initiatives provided by the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, the SPA reported.
Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage
Her toys reflect Islam, Arab culture, says founder Shahd Al-Athel
Products encourage children to play with palm and not pine, Xmas trees
Updated 04 November 2024
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: The Jawlah Foundation in Saudi Arabia has been creating toys and games since 2020 to give children a deeper connection with Arab culture while improving their cognitive abilities.
Founder Shahd Al-Athel, a Saudi education specialist, who spoke to Arab News recently, said the company was founded because she saw “a clear gap in the content of children’s toys.”
Al-Athel said that the market for children’s toys “does not reflect our Islamic environment or represent the identity of our Arab children.”
“For instance, instead of playing with toys such as palm trees, children were engaging with Christmas trees and pine trees.”
Al-Athel spent her formative years in the US, which she says shaped her childhood activities and ideas on traditions, and she felt disconnected from her heritage.
While her friends in the US engaged in customs that reflected their identity and heritage, she yearned to do so herself.
At 15, Al-Athel moved to Saudi Arabia, where she experienced the warmth of family relationships and the richness of Arab and Islamic culture for the first time.
In the Kingdom, Al-Athel developed a sense of belonging, and gained a great deal of knowledge about her identity at secondary school by engaging in activities with fellow learners.
At university, Al-Athel decided to specialize in education. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Hartford in the US, followed by a master’s degree in educational technology and digital design from New York University.
Al-Athel said she worked for the children’s television show “Sesame Street” in New York, contributing to the development of English-language content tailored for a culturally diverse audience.
However, she felt that the work did not align with her ambition to create educational content for Arab children, prompting her to leave the company.
Returning to Saudi Arabia, she joined Saudi Aramco and worked at the entrepreneurship center Wa’ed, which serves as an incubator for businesses and startups.
Al-Athel spent a year at Wa’ed, during which she learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and gained experience in project management that would ultimately prepare her to establish her own company.
After giving birth to her first son, Abdullah, the family moved to Malaysia. As a dedicated mother keen on shaping his identity, she sought methods to teach Abdullah Arabic.
However, she found it challenging to find suitable educational materials for this purpose.
These were all experiences that inspired her to eventually create Jawlah.
