JEDDAH: Syrian poet and writer Fadi Azzam’s novel “Huddud’s House,” poignantly translated by Ghada Alatrash, paints a kaleidoscope of Damascene life, from its artists and lovers to its doctors and politicians, during its recent period of great turmoil and destruction.
Beginning at the cusp of the Arab revolution and civil war in Syria, the novel is an epic that delves into the depths and dark pits of the human heart. It is a searing depiction of humans’ capacity to love in all forms, resist and grow, as well as their power to destroy, oppress, and wage war.
Among its central characters is Fadi or Fidel Al-Abdullah, a law student, artist, womanizer, famous filmmaker, or religious extremist — depending on which part of his story you’re reading. His character arc is a prominent thread in the novel’s theme of identity and exile, capturing the nature of identity as perpetually in flux.His married lover, Layl, a doctor, is a complex portrayal of a woman torn between desire and duty.
Anees, a heart surgeon in Britain, sees his life take a swift turn when a phone call beckons him to the homeland. In Damascus, he inherits his grandfather’s property, Huddud’s House, initially poised as a promising windfall.
But the ancient house itself, and the locals who care about its heritage and cultural significance, help the doctor uncover its treasures and secrets such as historical artifacts and documents about Syria and her people painstakingly penned by its former guardians.
In the story, Huddud’s House stands as a powerful symbol of Syrian resistance and perseverance against oppression: “This was the fortieth time that this house encountered destruction, but its history testifies that each time it returned greater than before,” reads an excerpt.
“Huddud’s House” is an emotionally fraught and sweeping story of human connection during war, as well as a harrowing testimony partially based on true accounts of the brutalities endured by the Syrian people during the great upheaval of their homeland.
Azzam’s novel cements storytelling’s pivotal role in preserving truth, history, and heritage.
And at the heart of this particular story is a powerful idea: To love is to resist.
Review: In ‘Huddud’s House,’ Syrian poet pens heart wrenching love letter to Damascus
https://arab.news/4wrd4
Review: In ‘Huddud’s House,’ Syrian poet pens heart wrenching love letter to Damascus
Loli Bahia makes waves at Paris Fashion Week with Louis Vuitton, Chanel appearances
DUBAI: French Algerian model Loli Bahia has been busy of late, walking for several brands at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week, including the latest Louis Vuitton and Chanel shows.
For Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer presentation, womenswear designer Nicolas Ghesquiere presented a lineup of layered looks featuring short, flouncy skirts and puffy-sleeved jackets, similar to Bahia’s runway style on the final day of Paris Fashion Week.
The in-demand catwalk star graced the runway wearing a black jumpsuit with a relaxed, tailored fit and a deep V-neckline, allowing a metallic, iridescent top to peek through underneath. The shiny fabric of the top, visible on the sleeves and chest, contrasted with the matte texture of the jumpsuit.
She accessorized with a structured black handbag featuring metallic hardware and chain details, while her black pointed-toe shoes completed the look.
The runway was set up in a temporary venue in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum, made from a mix of trunk facades. It ran through the center of the space and rose into a podium as the show started.
The models paraded tops that were cinched at the waist, their long necklaces and loosely fastened neckties swinging, Reuters reported. The pace quickened through the show, even as the silhouettes grew longer, to include robe-like overcoats that swept the floor and loose, bohemian trousers.
Handbags came in all shapes and sizes, with some models carrying more than one, stacked like jewelry.
For the Chanel show, Bahia wore a layered ensemble featuring a black-and-white houndstooth set. The look included a cropped, double-breasted vest with a wide, oversized collar, worn over a sheer white blouse with voluminous sleeves. The matching houndstooth skirt had a mid-length hem with a thigh-high slit. The look was styled with a pair of statement black-and-white platform lace-up shoes.
Without a creative director since June after Virginie Viard — who took over from Karl Lagerfeld after his death in 2019 — bowed out, Chanel’s studio designed the spring/summer collection, riffing on some of the label’s standards, from its trademark tweeds to lacy flapper dresses and flying jackets, AFP reported.
But it was the feathers that stood out, used in ruff-like collars on crocheted bombers and on 1920s-style gowns inspired by the glamour of French writer Colette’s forays into music hall and cabaret.
Coldplay ticket scalping fiasco sparks backlash in India
- Disgruntled fans say tickets for Mumbai concert being sold for 30 times the original price
- Local media reports say police questioned local ticket seller BookMyShow regarding controversy
MUMBAI: British rock band Coldplay’s upcoming tour of India has triggered a police investigation and dismayed fans after scalpers bought up cheap tickets to resell online for more than $1,000 apiece.
Thousands of music fans tried and failed to buy tickets for three concerts scheduled in financial hub Mumbai next January, sold by popular Indian online ticket portal BookMyShow.
All three shows sold out in minutes, and those who missed out were infuriated when they saw $70 (6,000-rupee) tickets appear on resale websites at vastly inflated prices.
“The tickets are being sold at 10 times, 20 times, 30 times the price that is being sold on the website itself,” student Anna Abraham, 19, told AFP.
“I wouldn’t feel good about it myself if I knew that I paid for something 30 times more than what I could have paid for.”
Local media reports said BookMyShow’s chief operating officer was questioned by police Monday after a complaint brought by Mumbai lawyer Amit Vyas, who claimed the vendor was working with “black marketeers” to make an extra windfall on ticket sales.
“I checked with nearly 100 people who I know are regulars at concerts, none of them had gotten a ticket,” Vyas said, according to the Indian Express newspaper.
“This made me suspicious. I then decided to approach the police as I knew that something was amiss.”
BookMyShow issued a statement after the public backlash began last week, saying it had “no association” with unauthorized ticket selling.
“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice,” the company said.
Controversies surrounding tickets for major international musical or sporting events are not new.
US megastar Taylor Swift lashed out at Ticketmaster in 2022 following fan anger over sales to concerts staged for her globe-spanning ‘The Eras Tour’.
The debacle sparked debate over the Ticketmaster’s privileged position in the industry amid fan complaints of hidden fees, rampant ticket scalping and limited tickets due to presales.
Nojoud Al-Rumaihi stuns at Zimmermann’s Paris Fashion Week Show
- Saudi influencer at show featuring spring/summer 2025 collection
- Amira Al-Zuhair, Nora Attal were among top models on the runway
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia influencer and fashion consultant Nojoud Al-Rumaihi on Monday brought her signature style to Australian luxury fashion label Zimmermann’s runway show during Paris Fashion Week.
Al-Rumaihi arrived wearing a chunky-knit turtleneck sweater in a rich burnt orange, paired with a high-waisted leather midi skirt in a matching shade that featured functional pockets.
She completed the ensemble with brown pointed-toe ankle boots and carried a small, structured handbag in a deep red hue.
Al-Rumaihi sat among the guests watching the models — which included Saudi French star Amira Al-Zuhair and British Moroccan model Nora Attal — walk the runway showcasing the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection.
Al-Zuhair’s outfit featured a deep V-neck bodysuit in a rich, chocolate brown hue, paired with a voluminous, metallic organza skirt. The look was accessorized with a statement brown wide-brim hat and seashell necklaces, giving it a bohemian yet elegant style.
Attal wore a flowing, ruffled two-piece ensemble in soft, pastel tones of peach and cream. The top was cropped, with long, billowing sleeves and a halter neckline, while the matching skirt was tied at the waist and cascaded to the floor, adorned with layers of ruffles.
Meanwhile, French Algerian model Loli Bahia is making waves on the runway, recently gracing multiple shows at Paris Fashion Week, with her latest appearance being for the Japanese luxury fashion label Sacai on Monday.
She donned a black double-breasted mini dress featuring bold gold buttons and an embroidered emblem on the left side. The dress had exaggerated shoulder details, adding volume and a dramatic flair to the otherwise sleek silhouette.
Beneath the dress, she wore a crisp white blouse with an oversized bow at the neckline. She completed the outfit with knee-high black leather boots, which were accented with gold hardware.
She was joined by model Mona Tougaard, who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry.
Tougaard sported a sleek black mini dress with structured, slightly exaggerated shoulders. It featured minimal detailing, allowing the oversized white bow at the neckline to stand out as a bold focal point. The look was paired with knee-high black leather boots.
Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig
DUBAI: Dutch Moroccan DJ and record producer R3hab plans to return to Saudi Arabia before the end of the year, he told Arab News, hot on the heels of a busy six-month period during which he has hit the decks in Finland, China, Spain and beyond.
The DJ, who took to the stage at the E-Sports World Cup in Riyadh alongside Wiz Khalifa this summer, said in an interview with Arab News. “I’ve been to Riyadh many times, the energy of the city is unique. I really love performing in Saudi Arabia, the crowd energy is something else,” he said.
Asked if his Saudi fans will get to see him again soon, R3hab said: “All I can say is I’ll be back in Saudi before the end of the year and I can’t wait to play all the unreleased music I’ve been working on in the last months.”
R3hab’s love story with the Kingdom does not end there. He shot a music video for his track “Run Till Dark” at the historic city of AlUla.
“The ‘Run Till Dark’ shoot was exceptional. AlUla has so much history and we shot in some amazing locations. One that I won’t forget is Gharameel — this is a stunning desert reserve with beautiful natural stone pillars unlike anywhere else in the world. We were lucky to be the first film featuring this incredible site,” he said.
Last month, R3hab released two singles, each a collaborative effort.
On his track “Gozalo” with Deorro, he said: “It’s been 10 years since Deorro and I produced our hit ‘Flashlight.’ We thought it’s time to get in the studio together again and combine his Latin influence with my energetic vision.”
And on his more recent release, “All Night,” a collaboration with Sophie and the Giants, he praised the artist’s vocal talent and shed light on the track’s pop influences.
“Sophie’s voice stands out and I wanted to work with her on a record since I heard ‘Hypnotized.’ ‘All Night’ is a party anthem to keep us all dancing towards the end of the summer, it has a retro influence with a dance-pop touch.”
The second half of the year has been as busy as the first for the jet-setting producer with appearances at Dreambeach Festival (Spain), WKND Festival (Finland), Unseen Festival (Thailand), Smukfest (Denmark), Ministry of Sound (UK), Mysteryland (The Netherlands), EDC China and the Mega DJ Festival (South Korea).
“Touring can get very intense, so I take special care to recover, exercise and eat well on tour. The motivation is simple — the people. Connecting with the crowd every time I go on stage is a very rewarding feeling and my main drive,” he said.
Chinese art exhibition highlights parallels with Arab culture
- Titled The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow, the exhibition hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission features work from more than 30 artists
- Curated by Martina Koppel Yang, the exhibition focuses on two elements shared by Arab and Chinese cultures: calligraphy and the garden
RIYADH: A new art exhibition exploring parallels between Chinese and Arab cultures has opened at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Titled “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” the exhibition hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission features work from more than 30 artists.
Curated by Martina Koppel Yang, the exhibition focuses on two elements shared by Arab and Chinese cultures: calligraphy and the garden.
Both cultures regard calligraphy as a significant cultural and spiritual practice, elevating the written word beyond mere communication.
Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, emphasized the art museum’s role as a venue for temporary rotating exhibitions rather than a collecting museum. “We aim to integrate contemporary art into everyday life,” he said.
“This exhibition, focused on Chinese artists, is the beginning of a series of collaborations with countries worldwide, aimed at fostering cross-cultural dialogue and international exchange,” he told Arab News.
Artist Dexi Tian shared insights about his creative process, highlighting how he incorporates elements of Saudi culture into his work.
“I use discarded objects that I find during my explorations of the city and desert, reassembling them into new creations that reflect this culture,” he explained.
Wang Du, a Chinese artist residing in France, also spoke about his artwork, saying: “My work doesn’t have a direct connection to Chinese culture; instead, it addresses contemporary media and its impact on society.
“The sculpture you see is made from crumpled newspapers. It symbolizes how we consume news and information in our modern world. Each day, we receive a newspaper, only to crumple it up and toss it aside. This act reflects our habits — while we consume news, it also consumes us in return.”
Wang emphasized the notion of a “throwaway reality,” highlighting how easily we discard information. “Most news is fleeting, and this piece serves as a monument to that short-lived nature of news,” he explained.
The exhibition also explores the connection between the discipline of calligraphy and the natural order found in gardens. In both cultures, gardens are seen as representations of creation — spaces designed for beauty, spirituality, contemplation, and community.
“The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow” also conveys aspirations for future dialogues and possibilities, addressing themes of energy flow and synergy. In this context, writing is viewed as a meaningful act of participation and communication.
The exhibition features a thoughtfully designed scenography by Studio GGSV, guiding visitors through thematic stages that explore the dynamics of presence and absence, action and contemplation, memory and imagination.
Visitors will have the chance to view pieces from prominent collections of contemporary Chinese art, such as the Donnersberg Collection and the Dslcollection, alongside site-specific works created in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, the exhibition includes works from French-Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed and Taiwanese artist Michael Lin, both of whom are exhibiting in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
“The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow” highlights the ongoing evolution of contemporary art, reflecting cultural energy and bridging the past with the future, embodying the promise of what lies ahead.
The exhibition will run until Jan. 18, 2025, and tickets are available at https://webook.com/en/events/chinese-contemporary-art-exhibition.
