JEDDAH: The 21,39 art exhibition turned the old, abandoned corners of the Pepsi Co. factory into a spectacular work of art through the sounds and colors of Taif’s rich culture on Friday. The event was to bring people together to celebrate and learn about the city.
“For us, old and abandoned is exactly what the Saudi Art Council looks for when it comes to activating and creating exhibitions because it may be dead for most people, but for us there is so much history here, and to have people come and visit is a rare opportunity,” Nada Sheikh-Yasin, manager at the Art Council, told Arab News when asked about the reason for choosing the location.
She explained that the event is new, and it is the last day the Pepsi Co. factory will hold an art exhibition.
The event sheds light on the history as well as the culture of Taif in different forms of art, from music and calligraphy to photography and virtual reality.
Locals and expatriates all gathered at the site to witness the event. “I think it’s a great event. We started off at the Saudi Art Council in Gold Moore, then came here tonight. It looks interesting and I highly recommend that everybody attends,” said Nati Marvidis, who attended the exhibition.
The event took off to the beautiful sound of the Oud (musical instrument), through the live performance of Sa’ad Al-Atif and his group. People enjoyed the music very much, clapped their hands, sang along and expressed their affiliation with Taif’s heritage.
Artist Sa’ad Al-Atif explained that the sound of Taif’s music is different from any other musical sound in the Kingdom. It has sounds specific to the city of Taif.
Taghreed Wazna, photographer and attendee, said: “It is the first time we have an event dedicated to the people of Taif, their culture, tradition and lifestyle. The rose factory was presented in a new and creative way by artist Hassan Mabrook. Many people here in Jeddah have no knowledge of the rose factory, and how they make rosewater and rose oil.”
She added: ”I have also discovered amazing photographs taken by photographers from the Association for Culture and Arts in Taif. This event taught me so much about Taif’s architecture, buildings, traditional music and dances.
“I would like to thank the Saudi Art Council for cooperating with the Association for Culture and Arts in Taif and their manager, artist Faisal Al-Khudaidi,” said Wazna.
Saudi Art Council exhibition presents 'Jina Min Al-Taif'
Saudi Art Council exhibition presents 'Jina Min Al-Taif'
Saudi authorities foil attempted smuggling of $2m worth of Captagon pills
- Customs Authority also discovers 403,124 Pregabalin, 1,990 Tramadol unlicensed, prescription-only pills
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s counter-narcotics authorities on Sunday foiled attempts to smuggle $2 million worth of Captagon drugs and nearly half a million unlicensed Pregabalin and Tramadol pills.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said in a statement that it had seized the illegal drugs and unlicensed pills at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; the inland Dry Port in Riyadh; and Al-Batha Port.
Authorities at the airport in Jeddah found 200,000 Captagon pills hidden in mail parcels containing household utensils. The drugs have a street value ranging from $2 million to $5 million.
Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East and has a street value of between $10 and $25 a pill, according to research by the International Journal of Addiction Research.
The attempt to smuggle Captagon into the Kingdom was the second in less than a week. Counter-narcotics authorities uncovered a shipment of 12 million amphetamine pills on Wednesday at the Red Sea port of Jeddah which had been hidden inside a container of building materials.
The authorities also thwarted the smuggling of 403,124 unlicensed Pregabalin pills at the inland Dry Port near Riyadh. Pregabalin is a prescription-only drug for anxiety, epilepsy, and nerve pain treatment, but its abuse has led to several deaths in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. In countries such as the UK it is illegal to buy or possess Pregabalin without a medical prescription.
An attempt to smuggle 1,990 unlicensed Tramadol pills — a prescription-only painkiller — and 500 grams of Shabu was thwarted at Al-Batha Port. The Customs Authority said the Shabu was found hidden in a shipment of washing machines.
The Customs Authority and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control have announced the arrest of 10 people in connection with the drug smuggling cases.
Saudi FM arrives in Rio de Janeiro ahead of G20 Summit
- Prince Faisal is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to the summit on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- The summit is due to take place on Monday and Tuesday
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday ahead of this year’s G20 Summit, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal is leading the Kingdom’s delegation to the summit on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The summit is due to take place on Monday and Tuesday.
The Kingdom’s delegation will participate in a number of meetings which will discuss international political and economic developments and address enhancing multilateral action to achieve global prosperity, SPA said.
Misk Global Forum 2024 set to start in Riyadh
- Event seeks to bring together young leaders from Kingdom, around the globe
RIYADH: The eighth edition of the Misk Global Forum is set to take place at Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, otherwise known as Misk City, on Nov. 18-19.
Boasting the theme “By Youth for Youth,” this year’s forum seeks to bring together young leaders from the Kingdom and around the globe, creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration.
The prominent international event will feature more than 150 speakers in over 100 panel discussions, along with 30 interactive workshops.
The event will showcase a roster of high-level figures in its panel discussions, including Badr Al-Badr, the CEO of the Misk Foundation, who is committed to empowering youth through education and innovation.
Abdullah Alswaha, the minister of communications and information technology, will bring his expertise in digital transformation and policymaking to the conversation, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping the future.
In addition, Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Computer, will share his insights on entrepreneurship and innovation, drawing from his extensive experience in the tech industry.
The leaders will engage in thought-provoking discussions that aim to inspire and equip young minds for the challenges of tomorrow.
Discussions are expected to cover topics such as sustainability, education, innovation, technology, health, culture, and climate change.
The topics will encourage those participating in the event to think creatively and work together on solutions to challenges faced by today’s youngsters.
MGF 2024 invites young people worldwide to come together, share ideas, and explore future possibilities.
The Misk Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Through its various initiatives — including Misk City, Misk Art Institute, Manga Productions, Science Center, and Misk Schools — the foundation aims to foster an environment conducive to creativity and innovation.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strike on UNRWA school in Gaza
- Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom reiterates its “categorical rejection of the Israeli occupation’s continued targeting of civilians and relief agencies”
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday an Israeli strike that killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded at least 20 others on Saturday at a school in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp currently sheltering displaced families.
The Abu Assi school is run by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main agency that has been procuring and distributing aid in the Gaza Strip.
The Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom reiterates its “categorical rejection of the Israeli occupation’s continued targeting of civilians and relief and humanitarian agencies amid the silence of the international community.”
It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards ongoing Israeli violations that increase the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermine the chances of achieving peace in the region.
Recently passed Israeli laws have effectively banned UNRWA activities in Israel and the the commissioner-general of the agency Philippe Lazzarini has warned that this will leave a vacuum that will cost more Palestinian lives and create further instability in Gaza and the West Bank.
Olive presses in Tabuk process harvest from 1.8 million trees
RIYADH: Olive presses in the Tabuk region are currently processing the harvest from more than 1.8 million olive trees, which yield 94,000 tonnes of olives and more than 12,250 tonnes of olive oil.
The primary olive varieties are Arbequina, Arbosana, nabalie and souri, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The geography of the Tabuk region and its proximity to a Mediterranean climate, makes it one of the Kingdom’s most important areas for producing various crops.
In addition to olive oil, the region is known for its grapes, apricots, peaches, strawberries, mangoes, oranges and mandarins, with several varieties cultivated to prioritize quality over quantity.
Agriculture is a key economic sector in Saudi Arabia, contributing to self-sufficiency and exports. The government has prioritized the sector by providing farmers with soft loans, agricultural machinery, pumps and other essential equipment.
The regional branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture supports farmers by encouraging the use of advanced agricultural technologies and offering specialized consultations to maximize yields.
It also organizes seasonal agricultural festivals in cities, governorates and centers in the region, timed to coincide with harvest seasons.
The Olive Festival is the region’s premier seasonal event, providing a vital marketing platform for farmers to sell olive products and derivatives.
It is held alongside other events throughout the region, supporting the agricultural community and promoting local produce.
