AL-AHSA: Traditional woodcrafts ingrained in a Saudi region’s heritage were showcased at a major festival event.
Wood-carving has played an important part in Al-Ahsa’s history, and experts in the art demonstrated their skills at one of the latest Sharqiah Season attractions taking place in the Eastern Province.
Male and female artists from Al-Ahas are aiming to breathe new life into the ancient craft which has been passed down through generations.
The wood carvings from the region take on many shapes and forms, with triangles being the most popular, and often incorporate calligraphy.
The cultural event titled Al-Ahsa Creative highlighted some of the many traditions of the area including music and handicrafts.
Abdullah Al-Shabaan, 70, has been producing wood carvings since he was 10 years old and is the last person in his family carrying on the tradition.
“I started practicing this craft with my grandfather and uncle, and I would create items after school and on vacations with both of them. The craft brings me peace and I cannot let go of it,” Al-Shabaan told Arab News.
Although his children have not followed in his footsteps, Al-Shabaan has held tutorials for those wishing to learn the craft.
“In 2016 I held a workshop for four females and a male, and one of the women really excelled. Then in 2017 I taught a group of five women and two men, and last year I was teaching 17 young men. Young people remain interested in this craft and are still holding on to it,” he added.
Fatimah Al-Hmoudi, 39, is a visual artist who started carving wood two years ago.
“Women are a minority in this field, and so I’m happy to be among those women who practice this art. I like to merge the past with the present, and as someone from Al-Ahsa I want to hold onto our heritage,” she said. “I am interested in all of Al-Ahsa’s history and want to showcase its identity.”
Al-Hmoudi pointed to one of her artworks shaped as a palm tree and with the word “Al-Ahsa” engraved on it in Arabic. “The palm tree symbolizes Al-Ahsa, and I added patterns that are specific to Al-Ahsa,” she added.
One visitor to the event, Shahad Al-Ghamdi, told Arab News: “Al-Ahsa has developed in so many ways. Culture is being showcased all the time, and we are provided with great entertainment events.”
Saudi heritage event aims to carve out future for traditional woodcrafts
Saudi heritage event aims to carve out future for traditional woodcrafts
- Wood-carving has played an important part in Al-Ahsa’s history
Saudi FM discusses Middle East issues with Spanish, British counterparts, UNRWA chief
- Prince Faisal meets Philippe Lazzarini in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received separate phone calls from Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday.
He discussed recent developments in the Middle East with his Spanish and British counterparts, and efforts to address them.
The Saudi foreign minister also met the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Philippe Lazzarini, in Riyadh. They discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to cooperate with UNRWA on projects benefiting the Palestinian people.
Saudi leadership offers condolences to Chinese president for earthquake victims
- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured
RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences in separate messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the victims of the earthquake that hit Dingri County in the Xizang Region of southwest China.
The Saudi leadership extended heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the Chinese president and the families of those who died in the natural disaster, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
On Tuesday, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China, leaving more than 120 people dead and over 100 injured.
Citrus festival shows agricultural diversity, economic potential in Najran
- The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential
RIYADH: The 14th Najran National Citrus Festival highlights the region’s agricultural investment and marketing diversity, which offers economic returns for farmers and investors alike, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival at King Abdulaziz Park walkway in Najran is organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region.
Participants including farmers, agricultural experts and investors showed innovative solutions and highlighted the region’s robust citrus production.
Hamad Al-Dakman, the director of the agricultural prevention and guidance department at the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development, Estidamah, in an interview with SPA emphasized the center’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
By selecting optimal plant seeds and trees, the center aims to enhance citrus production efficiency while advancing water and energy conservation technologies, Al-Dakman said.
He noted the importance of knowledge transfer and partnerships in supporting the agricultural sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s food-security goals.
Similarly, Najran Association Green’s chairman, Raf’an Al-Amer underscored the association’s efforts to expand vegetation cover, having planted more than 60,000 trees in the past four years.
Plans are underway to plant an additional 500,000 trees by 2027 in collaboration with government and private entities, contributing to the Kingdom’s Green Vision, Al-Amer said.
Farmers and investors were enthusiastic about the festival.
Farmer Ibrahim Saleh Al-Sinan praised the event for addressing farmers’ needs, marketing their products, and allowing visitors to sample and purchase citrus fruits directly.
Agricultural investor Abdullah Fahd Al-Waili highlighted the region’s favorable conditions for citrus farming, including fertile soil, a suitable climate and water availability.
Al-Waili, whose farm in Khbash covers 4 million sq. meters with more than 50,000 citrus trees, noted the economic viability of agricultural investment in the region.
The festival is a vibrant platform for displaying Najran’s agricultural potential, supporting farmers, and driving sustainable agricultural development.
Saudi fund commits $80m for cancer care expansion in Turkmenistan
- The agreement reflects the Saudi fund’s commitment to supporting developing countries overcome obstacles to progress
RIYADH: CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Al-Marshad signed an $80 million development loan agreement with Rahimberdi Jepbarov, chairman of the Turkmenistan State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs.
The financing supports a project to improve tumor treatment services and establish cancer treatment centers in Turkmenistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Ambassador to Turkmenistan Said Osman Suwaid attended the event.
The project will enhance healthcare by building and equipping three specialized cancer treatment centers with up to 500 medical beds in different regions.
The centers will feature advanced medical equipment to improve healthcare quality, SPA added.
The agreement reflects the Saudi fund’s commitment to supporting developing countries overcome obstacles to progress.
It underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving sustainable development and ensuring lasting prosperity, SPA reported.
During his visit to Turkmenistan, Al-Marshad also met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to discuss strengthening development cooperation in various sectors.
Meanwhile, the Saudi fund’s Deputy CEO Faisal Al-Qahtani participated in the inauguration of the Busaiteen Bridge, part of the Bahrain Northern Road Project.
The $250 million project, funded through a grant from the Saudi government, aims to ease traffic congestion and boost investment and economic opportunities in Bahrain.
Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa attended the event.
The project is a vital part of Bahrain’s transportation infrastructure, with the Saudi fund collaborating closely with the Ministry of Works for its successful completion.
The Saudi fund’s partnership with Bahrain spans 48 years, during which it has financed 30 projects in sectors like energy, transportation, and social infrastructure. These initiatives have contributed to Bahrain’s sustainable development and economic growth.
Saudi authority expands effort to track food waste
RIYADH: The General Food Security Authority has launched a second field survey to measure food loss and waste rates in Saudi Arabia.
The initiative is part of the National Program to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and aligns with efforts to promote food sustainability and support Vision 2030 objectives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The authority’s governor, Ahmed Al-Faris, said that the second survey builds on the 2019 study, which established a baseline for the Food Loss and Waste Index.
The effort follows successful awareness campaigns in collaboration with key stakeholders that engaged public participation, the SPA added.
The new survey aims to analyze food loss and waste at all stages of the food supply chain, including production, importation, transportation, storage, distribution and consumption.
The authority will use the findings to develop solutions to improve food security, reduce environmental and economic impacts, and align the Kingdom’s practices with global sustainability standards.
This initiative is expected to provide more precise, updated data to create targeted strategies for reducing food loss and waste.
