KABUL: Ceramics, carpentry, calligraphy and gem cutting: centuries of Afghan craftmanship honed on the ancient Silk Road are being preserved in Kabul, a rare success story for an aid project in the war-torn country that organizers are now hoping to replicate with refugees from Syria.
In the sixteen years since the fall of the Taliban, the Turquoise Mountain foundation has found some of Afghanistan’s best artisans and helped them preserve and pass on their skills, as well helping them showcase their work in international markets.
A painstakingly restored caravanserai — a roadside inn — in Kabul’s oldest district is once again a hub for exquisite woodwork carvers, potters making traditionally-glazed ceramics, Islamic calligraphers, and goldsmiths.
“When we started, there were very few artisans living in Kabul. Most of them were out of the country,” said Abdul Wahid Khalili, the nonprofit’s director.
“We had to start with the few old artisans we had, it was a very difficult start,” he said.
Kabul, a key stop on the silk road, was once renowned for its craftwork, but when Turquoise Mountain began work in 2006 in Kabul’s oldest district Mourad Khani, they had to excavate the caravanserai from tons of rubbish.
“For more than 50 years the rubbish had piled up in the yard,” he said, adding that they also immediately began training students.
“The idea was to restore the (caravanserai) and train the new generation,” he said.
Slowly more and more Afghan artisans joined the collective, preserving priceless skills that many feared would disappear altogether due to decades of war — a problem that many Syrian craftsmen, who are fleeing their country in droves, now face.
First started by British diplomat Rory Stewart, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, which is supported by Britain’s Prince Charles, the British Council, and USAID, says it has now worked with some 5,000 artisans.
Their efforts have breathed new life into Murad Khani’s ancient silver bazaar, with hundreds traveling every day to the restored cedar paneled courtyard to learn and teach woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and miniature painting.
Staff at Turquoise Mountain began by combing Kabul’s streets and knocking on doors in the villages trying to find artisans and students to enroll.
The foundation now employs 30 Afghan masters, who are given retraining and support from the organization, and then help teach new apprentices in their craft.
Wakil Abdul Aqi Ahmani, 64, is one of the institute’s founding fathers.
“It’s my heritage, it’s important because we have to preserve the culture of our country,” he says, as he leans over his student’s cedarwood panels and explains the art of Jali carving.
Turquoise Mountain’s selection process is now more rigorous: more than 500 candidates apply each year, Khalili said, with just 50 taken on, both girls and boys.
“They show what they learned with their family, in the shops, at the bazaar, with the elders,” said Abasin Bahand, who is in charge of the entry exams.
“They are all trained, but they are not professional — anyone can apply.”
The three years of their training are free, the students are fed and housed if they come from the provinces. They are also given a small monthly stipend to cover transport costs. They leave with a double certifications — Afghan and British.
“Eighty percent of our graduates have moved to their own business or are working for other business in the craft they chose,” said Nathan Stroupe, the director of the Turquoise Mountain foundation in Afghanistan.
Some of their carpentry students have decorated palaces in London and the Emirates, and jewelers have received commissions for New York Fashion Week.
“We have a business incubation process to support our students for three years,” Stroupe said.
“Some of the craftsmen had worked for the King,” he said, referring to Mohammed Zaher Shah, who was deposed in 1973.
But the process is still a race against time.
“For Jali and Nuristani carving, we had teachers who were the last in Afghanistan, they passed away. If we were not able to preserve these arts, they would have been lost,” said Khalili.
“Already there are specific areas we lost — there are no copper makers left, no bronze makers.”
“Now we are documenting all those areas, we want to spread (knowledge) all over the country, the idea is to transfer it to community... if not it will be lost again,” he said.
After its successes in Afghanistan, the foundation is looking at wartorn Syria, which is also seeing ancient traditions threatened by an exodus of artisans.
“We have already met Syrian artisans in Jordan,” said Scott Riddle, a project director who will start work in September.
“Some people in Amman have already managed to set up small ateliers. We’re researching in the refugee camp in Azraq, in the desert in the country’s northeast.”
After Jordan, Turquoise Mountain is looking to work with refugee artisans from Libya.
Past masters: Saving Afghanistan’s artisans from extinction
Past masters: Saving Afghanistan’s artisans from extinction
Jennifer Lopez set to light up Abu Dhabi on global tour stop
DUBAI: US superstar Jennifer Lopez is set to return to the UAE this summer with a performance at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on July 29.
The concert is part of her “Up All Night Live” world tour and will mark her second tour performance in the Middle East, following a show in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on July 6.
Fans can look forward to chart-topping tracks such as “If You Had My Love,” “Jenny From The Block,” “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” and “On The Floor.”
This will not be her first performance in the UAE capital this year—Lopez previously took the stage in February as part of the Saadiyat Nights concert series.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential entertainers, Lopez has made her mark across music, film and television. She remains the only female artist to simultaneously top both the US box office and music charts, with over $3 billion in global box office earnings, more than 80 million records sold and billions of streams and views across her music catalogue.
In film, her recent Netflix releases “Atlas” and “The Mother” both debuted at number one on the platform, with “The Mother” now ranking among Netflix’s top 10 most-watched films of all time.
In 2025, her latest film “Unstoppable” reached the number one spot globally on Amazon Prime Video.
Lopez’s UAE concert is organized by Ethara, a UAE-based events company.
Ethara is also organizing Katy Perry’s concert in the UAE, which is part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in December.
The music star will headline the grand finale on Dec. 7 at Etihad Park.
In addition to her global tour, Lopez is set to headline the after-race concert at the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 in Jeddah this weekend, taking the stage on April 19.
She will join an impressive lineup of international and regional artists, including Usher, Major Lazer, Peggy Gou and PartyNextDoor, alongside Arab stars such as Marwan Pablo, Tul8te, Hisham Abbas, Mostafa Amar and Hamid El-Shaeri.
Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo
DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez gave fans a peek into her life in Saudi Arabia this week through a series of Instagram stories. One standout moment was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.”
She included the same phrase in Arabic as a caption. In the photo, she also showed off a large emerald-cut diamond ring, a glittering watch and a crocodile-skin handbag.
Later that afternoon, Rodriguez shared more family moments when she posted videos of stepson Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s football training with Al-Nassr’s youth team. In one clip, captioned “The best team,” the group was seen singing and cheering.
Rodriguez also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes look at her personal routine in Riyadh, sharing a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.
The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Saudi Arabia, where she lives with her partner, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and their children.
The couple recently appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic. Rodriguez says “yalla” — meaning “let’s go” — after selecting the cruise on her phone, and Ronaldo replies cheerfully “yalla.”
The scene then changes into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, with panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors and their private accommodation.
Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared the campaign on their social media profiles with the caption: “Home isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling.”
In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.
She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez. During her visit, the model hugged and spoke with the children and joined in their play with the dolls.
Women-led ‘Unbound Territories’ is Dubai art consultancy’s first exhibition
DUBAI: Dubai’s contemporary art scene welcomes a new voice this April with the launch of A+ Art Consultancy’s inaugural exhibition, “Unbound Territories,” which will run until April 30 at Foundry Downtown.
Spearheaded by Azra Aban, the show is a collaboration with London’s Gillian Jason Gallery and brings together a powerhouse roster of female artists — from icons like Louise Bourgeois and Bridget Riley to emerging talents Megan Baker and Pippa El-Kadhi Brown.
The partnership with Gillian Jason Gallery has deep roots, Aban explains.
“Our relationship with Gillian Jason Gallery goes back to my time in London, where I had the opportunity to work closely with their team and witness their thoughtful approach to bringing together artists in meaningful ways,” she told Arab News.
“When I set out to launch A+ Art Consultancy with an exhibition that would introduce a compelling mix of emerging and established international artists to Dubai, it coincided with Gillian Jason Gallery’s own interest in expanding their community in the region — particularly around their mission to champion the best female artists working today.”
The shared mission to champion female artists meant the collaboration was a natural fit.
The exhibition’s title — “Unbound Territories” — reflects the curatorial intent behind the show.
“It captures the essence of what this particular collection of artists and artworks represents,” said Aban. “The exhibition brings together a diverse group of female artists … unfolding as a compelling dialogue that transcends time, geography, and artistic medium.”
Pieces span sculpture, printmaking, painted photography, oil painting and works on paper — mediums that, in Aban’s words, “reveal the radical potential of material and form.”
The exhibition also marks the UAE debut of several artists, offering what she describes as “an important and meaningful milestone” for the regional art scene, and reflects shifting dynamics in the Middle East.
“Women across the world are increasingly stepping into the positions they have long deserved,” said Aban. “‘Unbound Territories’ stands as a testament to the powerful contributions of female artists … and to the profound impact they have had on the global creative landscape.”
She sees the UAE as uniquely positioned to amplify these voices. “The UAE’s art ecosystem is not just growing, it’s carving out a distinctive identity that merges regional heritage with a global perspective,” she said
That vision also defines the consultancy’s future direction.
“You can expect more collaborations that highlight underrepresented narratives, spark dialogue between cultures, and offer collectors access to unique and powerful work that endures,” promised Aban.
Effat Film Festival celebrates emerging Saudi filmmakers
- More than 2,200 film submissions from 90 countries
- Dr. Mohamed Ghazala: It’s not about the money; it’s about uplifting filmmakers and nurturing a vibrant community
JEDDAH: The 12th edition of a student film festival celebrating the creativity of up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers is taking place at Effat University in Jeddah.
The Effat International Student Film Festival, which ends on April 15, has attracted more than 2,200 film submissions from 90 countries, as well as entries from 10 Saudi universities.
The competition shortlisted a total of 89 films from 28 countries, with cash prizes totaling more than SR50,000 ($13,333) available to the winners.
This year’s festival, held under the theme “From Dream to Film,” recognizes notable figures in the film industry, including Saudi director Abdullah Al-Muheisen, Saudi actor Hassan Assiri, Saudi director Khalid Al-Harbi, British director Joanna Quinn, and Prof. Ghada Gabara, president of the Egyptian Academy of Arts.
Other honorees hail from Japan, the US, and China.
Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, head of the School of Cinematic Arts and festival director, told of his passion for the event by emphasizing the importance of community and creative storytelling.
He said: “Running a film festival is just like making a film. We’re fueled by passion and the incredible support of our volunteers, contributors, and arts funding.
“It’s not about the money; it’s about uplifting filmmakers and nurturing a vibrant community. While organizing a festival can be challenging, it’s an exciting journey filled with hard work and joy.
“You don’t need a massive budget, endless time, or extensive business expertise to start a small film festival, the audience will find you. What matters most is a genuine love for film, the courage to take risks, and the drive to share meaningful stories.”
Jala Jalal, the leader of the student club at the School of Cinematic Arts, reflected on the significance of the festival for students.
Jalal said: “The showreel is more than just a collection of films, it’s a celebration of our creativity and growth as filmmakers. It’s a reflection of our voices and visions.
“What I love most about this festival is the opportunity it gives us to connect with the film industry, both locally and internationally. Working on the showreel and seeing the final outcome fills us with pride, not just in ourselves, but also in being part of a university that provides us the platform to bring our visions to life.”
The festival’s jury members come from a diverse international background. Friedrich Kluetsch, president of the documentary film jury, told Arab News: “The Saudi submissions were marked by a palpable joy in discovering the filmmakers’ surroundings and their close connection to the protagonists.
“It was evident in the films’ self-reflection, with three of them exploring filmmaking itself, portraying established filmmakers and an abandoned cinema.
“We noticed slight differences between the Saudi and international entries, particularly in the use of commentary or a narrator’s voice, which was more common in the international films and helped express the filmmakers' perspectives.”
Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, president of Effat University, highlighted the festival’s broader mission to provide a unique platform for Saudi and international film students to showcase their work.
She said: “This festival plays a pivotal role in creating connections between young filmmakers worldwide. It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fostering the country’s cultural movement and global presence in the arts.”
Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim, dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Effat University, underscored the growing international recognition of the festival, saying: “The increasing number of applications each year is testament to the festival’s growing status.
“It’s now the largest festival of its kind in the Arab world in terms of both the quality of films and the specialized focus on student filmmakers.”
Alongside film screenings, the festival features a range of seminars and workshops conducted by industry leaders, including representatives from Netflix, Sony, MBC Academy, and Toon Boom Animation.
Notable academic figures, such as professors from the University of Southern California, and the Communication University of China, were also scheduled to contribute lectures and workshops on topics like cinematography, directing, sound production, and film distribution.
An open discussion hosted by media personality Suha Al-Waal with actor and producer Hassan Assiri at Hayy Jameel also took place at the event.
Assiri, who was to be honored for his significant contributions to Saudi drama and production, shared insights into the evolving Saudi film industry, highlighting the growing opportunities for local talent and the increasing global recognition of Saudi productions.
Art Dubai to return for 18th edition with international lineup
DUBAI: Art Dubai — which is marking its 18th edition this year — is returning and brings together 120 galleries from across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas in what is expected to be one of the event’s most multicultural programs yet. Taking place from April 18-20, the event will host a calendar of daily talks, book launches, tours and other attractions.
Its diverse program includes Art Dubai Modern, curated this year by Magali Arriola and Nada Shabout, and Art Dubai Digital by Gonzalo Herrero Delicado and Bawwaba — which means “Gateway” — presenting 10 solo presentations by artists from various countries curated by Mirjam Varadinis and focusing on themes of migration, identity and displacement.
The event’s digital section, the first of its kind in an art fair, organized in partnership with Dubai Culture, highlights the rising influence of artificial intelligence and immersive technology in artistic creation. Installations by Hybrid Xperience, Breakfast, and Ouchhh Studio are featured, as well as 22 digital platforms from Dubai and internationally.
Entitled “After the Technological Sublime,” Delicado told Arab News that the theme aimed to provide “an opportunity to rethink what sublime is today: the concept that we have inherited since the 17th century when explorers were going out to explore the world. Now we can contrast that moment with what we are living today in the age of information and social media.”
In light of 30 new participating galleries from around the world, Pablo del Val, the event’s artistic director, said: “The really exciting aspect of this fair is the quality of the artworks.
“I think that this year you can see the maturity of the participants and really understand the vocabularies and the formats and the media that sell well in the city.
“There’s also a lot of color. The works we are showing this year show the state of the world we are living in, from technological change to a desire for escapism.”
