RIYADH: The Riyadh Shopping Festival this year hosts more than 200 events and activities.
The festival, organized by the Riyadh Trade Chamber, features a variety of events in more than 11 complexes across the Saudi capital.
This year the festival is being sponsored by three government bodies, for the first time.
One of the sponsors, the General Sports Authority (GSA), will introduce for the first time Baloot — a popular trick card game played in Gulf Countries — as well as chess sporting events.
The other two sponsors include the General Heritage Authority, which will present various activities, including the open library for reading, as well as music events, and the main sponsor, the General Entertainment Authority, which will sponsor all the festival’s events.
The Riyadh Festival for Shopping and Entertainment offers discounts on a wide range of brands, as well as opportunities to win prizes through daily raffle draws and vouchers to win SR1 million, which will be distributed daily during the festival.
Over 200 entertainment events at Riyadh Shopping Festival this year
Over 200 entertainment events at Riyadh Shopping Festival this year
Saudi fashion startups award reaches final stage
- Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said that sustainability was central to the commission’s vision for the future of the industry
RIYADH: The Fashion Commission and luxury group Kering have launched the selection process for the winners of the Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia.
The initiative aims to support innovative startups making a significant impact on the fashion industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The application process began in November 2024, inviting startups to submit applications and promote sustainability. More than 100 startups applied, with 20 selected to participate in a three-day training camp in Riyadh.
The program featured workshops focused on key performance indicators, goal setting and pitching skills, SPA reported.
On Jan. 14, the shortlist of 20 startups gathered in Riyadh for the final presentation, where each applicant was evaluated on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection.
Following the presentations, the evaluation process began to select the top 10 proposals, which will be assessed by the jury based on innovation, relevance, fashion connection, and potential impact on nature and society.
The awards ceremony will take place on Jan. 27 in Riyadh, where the top three winning startups will be announced.
Winners will have the opportunity to travel to Paris for exclusive mentoring with Kering’s sustainability teams and present their innovations at the ChangeNOW 2025 summit.
Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak said that sustainability was central to the commission’s vision for the future of the industry.
He added that the award aimed to showcase and support startups driving innovation in circular fashion and environmental stewardship.
Cakmak emphasized the commission’s commitment to advancing solutions that address current challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future in fashion.
Jazan festival showcases region’s rich heritage
- Visitors can learn about heritage professions in the craftsmen’s corner, including leather tanning, pottery, weaving, ornament making, sewing and embroidery
RIYADH: The Jazan Winter Festival has attracted a large number of visitors with a variety of heritage events, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The festival plays a key role in boosting regional tourism, drawing guests from within the Kingdom and beyond.
Erth Village, a highlight of the festival, is showcasing traditional handicrafts, games and clothing, the SPA reported.
Visitors can learn about heritage professions in the craftsmen’s corner, including leather tanning, pottery, weaving, ornament making, sewing and embroidery.
The scheme stimulates the local economy and highlights the region’s culture through captivating performances and folk dances, the SPA added.
Local perfumes and herbs are on display, highlighting the area’s rich heritage. Food enthusiasts can try traditional dishes that showcase local ingredients and culinary traditions.
Spanning three months, the event features 300 activities across 42 sites in Jazan and its governorates. The festival’s activities also include art exhibitions, plays and poetry gatherings.
Saudi ambassador meets Mauritian minister in Port Louis
- They discussed way to enhance bilateral relations as well as other topics of mutual interest
PORT LOUIS: Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Temyat recently met Mauritian Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations Mohammed Reza Cassam Uteem, the Saudi Embassy wrote on X on Saturday.
During the meeting, they discussed way to enhance bilateral relations as well as other topics of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, officials at the Digital Cooperation Organization received Austrian Ambassador to the Kingdom Oskar Wustinger and a delegation from Austria’s Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, and other institutions, the organization wrote on X on Saturday.
Saudi customs tackle 2,124 smuggling cases in single week
- The crackdown included more than 350 cases linked to prohibited substances
RIYADH: Customs officials at land, air, and sea ports across the Kingdom were involved in 2,124 seizures of prohibited items in a single week, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority reported.
The figure reflected the authority’s commitment to protecting society from smuggling and illegal activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The crackdown included more than 350 cases linked to prohibited substances, of which 98 involved narcotics such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, shabu and captagon pills.
The authorities also thwarted more than 1,745 attempts to smuggle tobacco and its derivatives, 22 cases involving money and three cases involving weapons and related accessories.
The authority urged the public to report any information regarding smuggling by calling 1910, the international number 009661910 or by emailing [email protected]. Financial rewards are offered for accurate information.
Symphony of scripts: Calligraphers make their mark in Dammam exhibition
- ‘The Pulse of Ink’ unites 30 young and experienced artisans to honor cultural heritage
DHAHRAN: In the heart of Dammam, the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts is hosting a calligraphy art exhibition titled “The Pulse of Ink,” showcasing works of the Qatif Calligraphy Group.
Art enthusiasts and curious minds alike have until Jan. 20 to explore works by renowned calligraphy and ornamentation artists, including some as young as 12-years-old.
To complement the exhibition, the Qatif Calligraphy Group has organized a series of engaging activities, including workshops for aspiring calligraphers.
The first workshop was presented by 14-year-old Hussein Bazaroun, who has been practicing calligraphy for two and a half years.
Bazroun’s passion and dedication to the craft are a source of inspiration for young and aspiring artists alike.
Additional workshops will focus on Diwani script, led by calligrapher Ali Al-Khuwaildi, and Ruq’ah script, taught by his fellow calligrapher, Hassan Al-Radwan.
Among the showcased talents is 12-year-old calligrapher Ali Al-Kadhim, a prodigy who has been perfecting his craft for just over a year and a half. His talent is a testament to the group’s mission to promote and preserve the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.
The exhibition also features a diverse range of pieces, each a captivating blend of intricate lines, curves and ornaments that seem to dance across the page.
The calligraphy group’s goals are diverse and far-reaching. By hosting workshops, exhibitions and lectures, they promote Arabic calligraphy as an Islamic and artistic art form, while also supporting local artists and enriching the cultural landscape of Qatif.
Through competitions and showcases, they are creating a new generation of calligraphers to carry forward the tradition.
For Al-Khuwaildi, vice president of the calligraphy group, calligraphy is more than just a hobby — it is a refuge, a source of comfort and a means of creative expression.
“I fell in love with calligraphy in elementary school, and it evolved from a hobby into a refuge throughout my life,” he told Arab News.
“Whenever life gets overwhelming, I return to it like a bird to its nest.” His words reflect the therapeutic power of calligraphy, which requires patience, dedication and a deep understanding of the intricate relationships between letters, lines and spaces.
Hassan Al-Bashrawi, secretary of the calligraphy group, highlighted the unique appeal of Arabic calligraphy: “It combines two key aesthetic qualities: Artistic construction and meaningful values reflecting Islamic civilization and Arab heritage.”
Al-Bashrawi’s own journey as a calligrapher has been marked by intense study, practice and collaboration with fellow artists. Through his work, he is building a strong foundation for renewal, drawing inspiration from both ancient resources and contemporary artists.
For Muna Al-Muhanna, a talented artist featuring her first piece in the exhibition, the experience is nothing short of exhilarating.
“My feelings were a mix of the joy of accomplishment and pride in creating something in remembrance of Allah, the Most High,” she said.
Capturing the essence of the ancient art form, she added: “It separates me from the tangible world and immerses me in a realm of beauty represented by calligraphy.”
At the Qatif Calligraphy Group’s exhibition in Dammam, visitors will be treated to a visual feast of intricate scripts, majestic ornaments and heartfelt expressions of creativity.
In an era where technology dominates our daily lives, this celebration of Arabic calligraphy serves as a reminder of the beauty, spirituality and timelessness of handwritten art.
Whether you are an art lover or history enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, the exhibition is sure to leave you in awe of the magic that happens when pen meets paper.
