Through ‘Haryali’ art exhibition, Denmark calls for urgent environmental action in Pakistan

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Updated 16 November 2024
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Through ‘Haryali’ art exhibition, Denmark calls for urgent environmental action in Pakistan

  • Danish embassy organizes exhibition featuring artworks by 36 Pakistani artists against global warming, pollution
  • Pakistan consistently ranks among countries affected most by climate change, where floods killed over 1,700 in 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan’s capital this week organized a powerful art exhibition that called for urgent environmental action to battle climate challenges, with the European country’s ambassador pledging support for Islamabad in transitioning to renewable energy. 

Pakistan is one of the world’s worst affected countries due to the impacts of climate change, despite contributing less than one percent of planet-warming emissions. Unusually heavy rains in June 2022 killed over 1,700 people, destroyed critical infrastructure in the country and affected over 33 million people which scientists attributed to climate change. 

“Haryali,” which translates to greenery in Urdu, was the name chosen for the exhibition which took place at the Danish ambassador’s residence in Islamabad on Friday night. The exhibition was held to mark 75 years of Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with Denmark at a time when various world leaders have gathered in Baku to attend the COP29 climate conference. 

The exhibition featured artworks by 36 Pakistani artists, who highlighted the disastrous effects of climate change and global warming through sculptures and paintings. 

“Pakistan is one of the countries in the world suffering the most from climate change and action needs to be taken,” Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf told Arab News on Friday.




Visitors tour the art exhibition “Haryali” featuring artwork against global warming, organized by the Denmark Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan on November 15, 2024. (AN Photo)

“And this is not something that Pakistan can do by themselves, and from the Danish side we are ready to help with all the expertise that we have gained through our battle also to make a greener society.”

Linulf said Denmark uses solar, wind, water and biomass to generate electricity, adding that Pakistan has an abundance of all of these resources. 

“I would love to see Pakistan transforming its energy sector into a more sustainable energy sector,” he said. 
Iman Bilal, a Pakistani sculptor, highlighted the health dangers associated with microplastics. 
“We’re deteriorating our health, it’s internalized,” she said, stressing the role of art in motivating stakeholders to take action to avoid environmental degradation.




An art piece crafted from plastic waste is showcased at the "Haryali Art Exhibition" by the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 15, 2024. (AN Photo)

Kareem Ahmed Khan, an artist from the scenic Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan severely impacted by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), reflected on climate change’s devastating impact on his region. 
“For the past seven to eight years, I’ve been working to highlight the impact of climate change on my region,” Khan told Arab News.




Visitors view artwork displayed at “Haryali Art Exhibition” by the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 15, 2024. (AN Photo)

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who spoke at a number of events at COP29 earlier this week, used the forum to highlight the need to restore confidence in the pledging process and increase climate finance for vulnerable, developing countries.
 


Layali Diriyah brings art, culture, global flavors to its 4th edition

Updated 17 February 2025
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Layali Diriyah brings art, culture, global flavors to its 4th edition

  • Host of winter entertainment options celebrate ancient Saudi city’s history, identity 
  • Food, luxury retail, hands-on heritage activities among visitor attractions

RIYADH: Layali Diriyah, the immersive winter entertainment experience, is offering a range of cultural and culinary experiences that celebrate the identity and history of the ancient city of Diriyah.

Now in its fourth edition, the event offers live music, light displays, and a number of restaurants.

Asma Al-Shehri, one of the visitors, told Arab News: “The place is absolutely stunning, and it’s even more well-prepared than I expected. What impressed me the most was the incredible hospitality — the organizers are everywhere, ready to assist and welcome you.”

Layali Diriyah opened on Feb. 12, 2025 as part of Diriyah Season 24/25.

Food lovers can indulge in a selection of flavors at six cafes and nine restaurants, featuring both local and international cuisines. The event also includes 13 luxury retail stores, giving visitors access to renowned brands, unique handcrafted items, and winter-inspired food and beverage stalls.

A highlight of this year’s event is the “Chef’s Table Experience,” where visitors can enjoy exclusive dishes prepared for the occasion. This fine-dining experience, with its elegant winter atmosphere, adds a luxurious touch to the vibrant energy of Layali Diriyah.

Standout features of this year’s event include interactive art installations such as the palm frond bridge. Other attractions include traditional swings and live folk performances.

Visitors can also engage in hands-on heritage activities that celebrate Diriyah’s historical significance, allowing them to experience the traditions and customs that define the region.

Entry to Layali Diriyah is SR185 ($49) per person. Alternatively, visitors can book a table at one of the participating restaurants and pay the entrance fee through The Chefz app. The event also provides a shuttle service from designated parking areas.


Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival announces 2025 dates

Updated 17 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival announces 2025 dates

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has announced the dates for its fifth edition, with international celebrities set to touch down in Jeddah for the festival that will run from Dec. 4-13.

The event will take place at the film festival’s headquarters in Al-Balad, Jeddah.

Last year’s theme, “The New Home of Film,” celebrated the festival’s new headquarters Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 2024 festival played host to more than 40,000 attendees and nearly 7,000 accredited guests, showcasing 122 films from 85 countries, including 61 premieres. A total of 302 screenings took place, with half of the films being world or international premieres, including 46 world premieres, 15 international premieres, and 53 MENA premieres.

The Al-Balad headquarters features five purpose-built cinemas and a large auditorium that hosted back-to-back screenings as well as In Conversation panels with celebrities.

Presided over by Spike Lee, the 2024 edition's two juries deliberated across 14 competition categories, with 16 feature films vying for top honors, alongside short films from the Arab world, Asia, and Africa featured in the New Saudi, New Cinema, and Arab Shorts programs.

Last year’s red carpet featured the likes of Emily Blunt, Aamir Khan, Mona Zaki, Viola Davis, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Other notable attendees included Michelle Yeoh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Johnny Depp, Yousra, Vin Diesel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Brendan Fraser, Mohamed Sami, and more.


‘Conclave’ and ‘Brutalist’ share BAFTA honors as Anna Kendrick looks to Georges Chakra archive

Updated 17 February 2025
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‘Conclave’ and ‘Brutalist’ share BAFTA honors as Anna Kendrick looks to Georges Chakra archive

  • “Conclave”, which stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal corralling conniving clergy as they elect a new pope, was also named outstanding British film and took trophies for editing and adapted screenplay
  • US filmmaker Brady Corbet took the BAFTA for best director for “The Brutalist,” while leading man Adrien Brody scooped up the best actor gong

DUBAI/LONDON: Hollywood actress Anna Kendrick hit the red carpet at the 78th British Academy Film Awards in an archival look by Lebanese designer Georges Chakra on Sunday night in London.

Kendrick showed off a silk chiffon pleated gown adorned with bands of cascading black crystal fringe and a sweeping train from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2005-2006 couture collection at the BAFTAs.

Anna Kendrick showed off a look from Georges Chakra's Fall/Winter 2005-2006 couture collection. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Papal thriller “Conclave” and immigrant epic “The Brutalist” tied for top honors at the ceremony, with each film picking up four coveted gongs.
“Conclave,” directed by German-born Edward Berger, won the BAFTA for the best film with its tale of the intrigue and horse-trading behind the scenes during the election of a new pope.

Accepting the award, Berger recalled the journey to make the film took seven years, paying tribute to British screenplay writer Peter Straughan's “wonderful script” and lead actor Ralph Fiennes.

US filmmaker Brady Corbet took the BAFTA for best director for “The Brutalist”, while leading man Adrien Brody scooped up the best actor gong for his portrayal of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor and architect who emigrates to the United States.

Brody told a winners press conference that the film was “an opportunity for me to honor my own ancestral struggles.”

In “a film that speaks to tremendous cruelty and despicable behavior in our past... we see elements existing today that can guide us and remind us of that,” he added.

Veteran British actor Fiennes, who played a cardinal in “Conclave”, once again saw his hopes of winning a BAFTA gong dashed, losing out to Brody in the race for the honour.

Scandal-hit “Emilia Perez”, a surreal musical about a Mexican druglord, had been heavily favored at the beginning of the year. But it ended the evening with just two BAFTAs, including one for Zoe Saldana for best supporting actress.

Until last month, French director Jacques Audiard's movie had been expected to be a frontrunner having won 11 nominations.

But old racist and Islamophobic tweets by lead actor Karla Sofia Gascon surfaced at the end of January, shaking up the race just before the London ceremony and the Oscars on March 2.
 


Jordan’s Princess Iman welcomes first child

Updated 16 February 2025
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Jordan’s Princess Iman welcomes first child

DUBAI: Jordan’s Princess Iman bint Abdullah II and her husband, Jameel Alexander Thermiotis, have welcomed a baby girl, Princess Amina.

Queen Rania, the princess’s mother, took to social media to announce the news on Sunday.

“My darling Iman is now a mother. We’re grateful and overjoyed to meet Amina, our family’s newest blessing. Congratulations Jameel and Iman — may God bless you and your precious little girl,” she captioned the post.

This will be the second grandchild for Queen Rania and King Abdullah. Their first grandchild, born in August, is the daughter of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein. She was named Iman in honor of her aunt.
 


Model Imaan Hammam turns curator of Arab art on Instgram

Updated 16 February 2025
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Model Imaan Hammam turns curator of Arab art on Instgram

DUBAI: Dutch-Moroccan-Egyptian model Imaan Hammam took to Instagram to announce the launch of her new archival project, Ayni, which will highlight significant contributions to Arab film, art, music and literature.

“Meet Ayni (@ayni.vault), an archive dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Arab artistic expression through ‘my eyes,’” Hammam captioned the post on Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam)

“Follow along as I highlight some of the most significant contributions to Arab film, art, music, and literature — both old and new — and celebrate the talented artists behind them. This project holds such a special place in my heart, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I enjoy curating it.”

Late last year, the model made waves when she delivered the opening remarks at the highly regarded Fashion Trust Arabia Awards’ sixth event, which took place in Marrakech, Morocco.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam)

The 28-year-old went on stage in a gorgeous black kaftan from Moroccan designer Selma Benomar. The heavily embroidered look highlighted Moroccan artistry and design, and paid tribute to the country’s royal family.

“So honored to open this year’s @fashiontrustarabia Awards here in the motherland,” Hamman said on Instagram. “Celebrating Arab artistry in the place where my roots run deep made this experience truly special. Proud to uplift the creativity that makes our culture unique. A special thank you to @selma_benomar_caftan for designing this gorgeous Moroccan custom-made caftan.”

Although Hammam was born and raised in Amsterdam, her mother is from Morocco and she visits the country frequently.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam)

Hammam is one of the most in-demand models in the industry. She was scouted in Amsterdam’s Centraal Station before making her catwalk debut in 2013 by walking in Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture show.  

Hammam has appeared on the runway for leading fashion houses such as Burberry, Fendi, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Balenciaga and Carolina Herrera, to name a few, and starred in international campaigns for DKNY, Celine, Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, Tiffany & Co. and others.

Celebrity guests at the Fashion Trust Arabia ceremony included Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, British model Jourdan Dunn, Lebanese-British fashion entrepreneur Karen Wazen and American-Lebanese supermodel Nour Arida.