RIYADH: Janadriyah, the annual national heritage and culture festival named after the village on the northern outskirts of Riyadh, is busy celebrating the Saudi lifestyle as well as symbols of its identity, unity and integrity. The festival also offers a balanced view and a flashback to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage.
India is the guest of honor country this year. The annual heritage festival, which runs for 18 days, will conclude on Feb. 24.
Every year the festival attracts a remarkable turnout of local and expatriate visitors, including school children and families, as well as visitors from outside the Kingdom.
This year the festival has launched a free application for smartphones, called “Janadriyah,” to guide visitors around the event and keep them updated on entertainment and cultural programs.
Nazaha participates in Janadriyah festival
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) is partaking in the 32nd Janadriyah National Heritage and Culture Festival for the sixth consecutive year.
Specialists in integrity protection and anti-corruption programs, as well as in public relations and media, are present at Nazaha’s pavilion to answer visitors’ inquiries and receive their feedback.
Through its participation, Nazaha aims to introduce the public to efforts exerted to combat corruption in the Kingdom.
The pavilion features signboards about programs, initiatives, events, studies, workshops, conferences and research implemented by Nazaha regarding integrity protection and fighting corruption.
The pavilion also contains screens with videos games, and a drawing workshop with coloring books for children.
Big turnout for UAE pavilion
The UAE pavilion at the festival is impressing visitors with 45 different cultural events and folk shows reflecting the history of the Emirates.
The pavilion has seen a big turnout by visitors, who are received with drums and folk songs. Visitors are invited to take part in folk dances to learn more about Emirati cultural and musical heritage dating back hundreds of years.
The pavilion also features a collection of UAE cultural films that shed light on special elements of the country such as traditional architecture. Generous Arab hospitality is represented in a corner that offers Emirati-made coffee as well as live shows depicting how it was made.
The popular souk at the UAE pavilion, which offers Emirati-made products, is introducing a new generation to the material heritage and culture of UAE’s different towns and environments. The souk celebrates the rich and diversified heritage of the people and its rich and ancient roots.
Three photographic exhibitions portray important historical events.
The first one focuses on the traditionally strong Saudi-Emirati relations. The second exhibition is a collection of cultural photographs of UAE’s renaissance under the rule of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. The third exhibition is about tourism, with images of the best sites for visitors to experience the UAE.
The pavilion is made entirely of traditional natural heritage materials, featuring mud architecture for 80 percent of the design, over an area of 6,500 square meters. The design aims to embody UAE’s authentic heritage and its close connection with the local environment, and the country’s commitment to sustainability, including heritage items and traditional arts.
Janadriyah festival attracts thousands of local, foreign visitors
Janadriyah festival attracts thousands of local, foreign visitors
Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale to open in January
- Over 30 artists explore cultural heritage through contemporary art
JEDDAH: The second Islamic Arts Biennale is set to open on Jan. 25, 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the event will showcase a blend of timeless Islamic civilization treasures and contemporary artistic creations.
The biennale will offer visitors a journey through the artistic heritage of Islam, engaging the senses, intellect, and creativity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Featuring contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond, the artworks will be displayed in both indoor and outdoor spaces until May 25.
Saudi artist Muhannad Shono will curate contemporary art, supported by associate curators Joanna Chevalier and Amina Diab.
Shono, along with artistic directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, has tasked the artists with creating new works that complement historical Islamic artifacts.
The biennale’s theme, “And All That Is In-Between,” captures the essence of contemporary artworks, transcending simplistic notions to foster collective understanding, imagination, and interpretation.
The artworks, inspired by themes including space, time, and light, provide insight into preserving and nurturing culture by exploring the evolving landscape of Saudi Arabia.
The new art pieces will be displayed alongside historical artifacts, including religious relics, maps, and jewelry, in five indoor halls and various outdoor spaces beneath the Hajj Terminal canopy.
The works, also inspired by the concept of the garden in Islamic civilization, blend nature and traditional design while addressing contemporary environmental and social issues.
The Islamic Arts Biennale will be organized into seven sections — Al-Bidaya (the beginning), Al-Madar (the orbit), Al-Muqtani (homage), Al-Mathala (the canopy), Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and Al-Musalla (the prayer hall) — spread across various galleries and outdoor areas, covering 100,000 square meters of dedicated exhibition space.
Saudi ambassador presents credentials to Ukraine’s president
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Ukraine, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Barakah, presented his credentials to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at a ceremony held in the capital, Kyiv.
Ambassador Al-Barakah conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to President Zelensky along with their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the government and people of Ukraine.
Saudi artist crafts Madinah’s culture in resin
RIYADH: Resin art, a crafting technique using the liquid form of the substance to create 3D objects or glossy coatings, has gained widespread popularity. When mixed with a hardener, resin solidifies, forming a glass-like finish.
Elyan Al-Aufi, a citizen from Madinah and a visual arts graduate of Taibah University, has significantly contributed to the medium, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Her pieces reflect Madinah’s culture, incorporating local elements including Madani script, roses, mint and basil.
Travelers to Madinah and the Prophet's Mosque often purchase her art as souvenirs, including keychains, jewelry, wall clocks, decorative pieces, and prayer beads, the SPA reported.
Resin art is versatile, used to create accessories and jewelry — such as necklaces, rings and earrings — via special molds. It is also key to paintings made with pouring techniques, producing distinctive results.
Resin is popular in household items including tables and trays, often featuring natural elements such as flowers or wood. It also used to preserve memorabilia and natural objects including leaves, photos and other items.
With its glass-like transparency and glossy finish, resin art allows creative use of colors, dyes, and natural elements such as flowers and shells. It produces durable, timeless pieces.
Saudi Arabia honors Qur’an contest winners in Nepal
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs recently honored winners of a Qur’an memorization competition in Nepal, involving more than 750 contestants and with 18 winners in four categories for boys and girls.
The competition, supervised by the Saudi Embassy in Kathmandu and coordinated with Nepal’s Muslim Commission, concluded with awards presented by the ministry’s undersecretary, Awad Al-Anzi.
Saudi Ambassador to Nepal Saad Nasser Abu Haimed and Nepal’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire attended the ceremony, alongside Islamic leaders, diplomats and parliamentarians.
The event featured Qur’an recitations by contestants and highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to promote the Qur’an globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Anzi reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to Islam’s values of justice, mercy and kindness and emphasized its longstanding support for Qur’an-related initiatives, including competitions and free distribution through the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Abu Haimed praised the competition as part of Saudi Arabia’s dedication to the Qur’an and congratulated the winners.
Participants expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s support of Islam and encouragement of Qur’an memorization and recitation.
Qassim craftsmen shine at Security Oasis exhibition
RIYADH: The Qassim municipality pavilion at the Ministry of Interior’s Security Oasis exhibition, held alongside the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, impressed visitors with a stunning display of wooden sculptures.
The intricate works show the region’s cultural heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Characterized by exquisite detail, the sculptures demonstrate the remarkable skill of Qassim’s craftsmen in transforming wood into captivating art that blends authenticity and creativity.
The display reflects the strong support provided by the municipality and the Heritage Commission to local artisans, according to the SPA.
By fostering this talent, the region promotes a thriving creative environment and ensures Qassim’s heritage reaches a wider audience through events such as this festival.
The exhibition runs in Al-Sayahid, northeast of Riyadh, until Dec. 31.
