Dutch artist’s chocolate sculpture celebrates Saudi hospitality at food trade show in Riyadh

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Ratzabi’s sculpture incorporates different elements that draw inspiration from Saudi hospitality, including dates, coffee cups, a coffee pot (Dallah) and the Saudi emblem featuring two swords and a palm tree. (Supplied)
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Ratzabi’s sculpture incorporates different elements that draw inspiration from Saudi hospitality, including dates, coffee cups, a coffee pot (Dallah) and the Saudi emblem featuring two swords and a palm tree. (Supplied)
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At the official opening with the Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom Janet Alberda. (Supplied)
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In her exhibit, Ratzabi presented Prince Saad bin Abdullah bin Saud with a chocolate sculpture of Rembrandt as a gift. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 September 2023
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Dutch artist’s chocolate sculpture celebrates Saudi hospitality at food trade show in Riyadh

  • Sculptor Anat Ratzabi had Saudi National Day in mind during creative process
  • Elements include dates, coffee cups, Dallah, and Kingdom’s emblem featuring two swords and a palm tree

RIYADH: Renowned Dutch artist Anat Ratzabi says her compelling chocolate sculpture on display at the 10th Foodex Saudi Expo in Riyadh celebrates the renowned hospitality of the Kingdom’s people.

Ratzabi incorporated elements in the bronzed creation including dates, coffee cups, a coffee pot or Dallah, and the emblem of Saudi Arabia featuring two swords and a palm tree.

Ratzabi was invited to participate in the Chocolate Art Salon at the exhibition, which concluded on Wednesday at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

During her inaugural visit to Saudi Arabia, Ratzabi sought to express her gratitude by crafting a piece that also celebrates Saudi National Day.

“I was asked by the organization of Foodex to make a piece that is related to the Saudi National Day that takes place within a few days. I welcomed this wonderful challenge and made the logo of the Saudi flag as inspiration.”

As winner of the Belgian Chocolate Award 2023 for “Best Concept, Bronze,” Ratzabi hopes to “bring art to the world of chocolate.”

“I’m a sculptor and I know how to work with chocolate, but I’m not a chocolatier. So, the level of the work that I am doing is museum level and gallery level. I do not comprise on the shapes that I am making and I don’t bow to the material, the material bows to me.”

She said that her inspiration to sculpt with chocolate comes from “the magic, the narrative and the origins of cacao as a ‘food of the gods’ as seen by the Mayans and Aztecs. I believe that transforming materials from bronze to chocolate provides a mesmerizing experience.”

During the food expo, Ratzabi hosted a masterclass titled “When Art Meets Chocolate,” which attracted 30 chefs and culinary students, who cast their creations from molds, and used bronze patina to decorate them.

Overwhelmed by the positive feedback, Ratzabi hopes to visit the Kingdom again to showcase her work, and possibly open a chocolate museum.

“I would love to establish the first chocolate museum in Saudi Arabia and I hope to find enthusiastic partners who share a passion for chocolate sculpture.”

The event, which started on Sept. 17, showcased the latest innovations in the sector and featured 300 brands from 18 countries. Its objective was to attract more brands to the Saudi market by targeting investors from various food sectors and trades.


Saudi foreign ministry expresses Kingdom's concern over continued fighting in Sudan

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Saudi foreign ministry expresses Kingdom's concern over continued fighting in Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi foreign ministry expresses Kingdom's concern over continued fighting in Sudan


Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

Updated 02 November 2024
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Sports Boulevard Masterplan earns ActiveScore recognition

RIYADH: The Sports Boulevard Foundation has received best-in-class recognition from active travel accreditation ActiveScore — awarded Platinum Communities Certification for the Sports Boulevard Masterplan and Platinum Certification for the Global Sports Tower.

The Sports Boulevard project will help revolutionize urban planning in Riyadh. 

It features more than 4.4 million square meters of green and open spaces, along with up to 50 multi-disciplinary sports facilities and integrated infrastructure. This project is dedicated to enhancing the city’s quality of life for residents and visitors, with features such as pathways, cycling tracks, and horse-riding trails.

The Global Sports Tower, the tallest sports tower in the world, is a key landmark of the project. It will feature more than 30 sports facilities, including the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, at 98 meters.
 


Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

Updated 02 November 2024
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Four falcons net almost $74,000 in Saudi club’s auction

  • Evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” selling for SR79,000
  • Auction runs until Nov. 15, showcasing the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcon Club’s 2024 auction saw four prestigious birds change hands for a combined SR277,000 ($73,756) during its 13th night at the Malham headquarters north of Riyadh.

The evening’s highest bid went to a Shaheen fledgling known as “Trah Amlaj Al-Hassi,” owned by falconers Younis and Abdulrahman Al-Jahni, selling for SR79,000. Close behind was another Shaheen fledgling, “Trah Farasan,” from owners Ali Suhail and Ahmad Al-Aqili, which fetched SR77,000.

A third Shaheen, “Trah Dhulm,” owned by falconers Nader, Saud, and Fahad Al-Otaibi, commanded SR71,000, while “Trah Al-Sawarima,” a fledgling from Jazan region, rounded out the night’s sales at SR50,000.

The auction, which runs until Nov. 15, showcases the club’s comprehensive support for the falconry community. Regional teams across the Kingdom facilitate participation by providing accommodation and transportation for falcon owners, known as tawarih, to the auction venue.

Each sale is broadcast live on television and social media platforms, allowing enthusiasts nationwide to witness these historic transactions, featuring competitive bidding in a fast-paced environment.
 

 

 


80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours

Updated 02 November 2024
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80-year-old Saudi tour guide welcomes foreign visitors to Najran with English tours

  • Europeans are drawn to the region because of its cultural significance, he says

MAKKAH: Clips of 80-year-old Saudi citizen Saeed bin Saleh have gone viral on social media, showing him fluently conversing in English with European tourists in the Najran region of southern Saudi Arabia.

Bin Saleh’s life has been a remarkable journey. Early on, he moved to the Eastern Province in search of work, driven by the need to support his mother after losing his father at a young age.

In Dhahran, he worked alongside Americans and Europeans, which marked a turning point in his life. This experience not only improved his living conditions but also allowed him to master English.

He told Arab News that he has developed a strong and enduring connection with Western tourists who regularly visit Najran. They praise the area for its rich history, abundant with ancient artifacts and remnants of past civilizations, including the renowned Al-Okhdood site and relics from the Paleolithic era, which date back thousands of years.

He noted that the tourists he speaks with are often impressed by his fluent English, particularly considering that he is over 80 years old, and admire the detailed answers they receive to their historical inquiries.

Their questions often center around significant sites like the Al-Okhdood ruins, the Hima wells, the unique rock formations, and the region’s wealth of archaeological inscriptions, Bin Saleh said.

Reflecting on his early experience with the English language, Bin Saleh explained that he left Najran as a young man in search of work in the Eastern Province, particularly in Dhahran.

After losing his father, he took on the responsibility of supporting his mother, determined to improve their situation. Bin Saleh eventually crossed paths with an American who offered him a job assisting with preparations on the golf courses that were popular in Dhahran at that time.

His close interaction with the American gave him the opportunity to learn English at a young age, which led to a 30-year career in the Eastern Province.

During this time, he worked with several companies, including Aramco and American Airlines, before transitioning to Indian Airlines, which further helped him refine his language skills.

After many years, he decided to return to Najran, where he continued his career with the Ministry of Health as an ambulance driver. Upon retiring, he chose to dedicate his time to being close to his children and grandchildren.

Bin Saleh explained that Europeans are drawn to Najran because of its deep historical and cultural significance. They are particularly captivated by the Arabic inscriptions in Kufic script from the early Islamic period and the ancient South Arabian Musnad script.

Najran is also renowned for its bustling heritage markets, where traditional crafts such as daggers, or jambiyas, and historically significant mosques built from stone and clay can be found. In addition to its rich Islamic history, the region is home to numerous monuments from the ancient civilizations of southern Arabia.

He said that, at his age, he is no longer a full-time tour guide but is always eager to help visitors and those interested in the heritage of the region.

Najran, a key stop on the ancient caravan routes connecting the southern and northern Arabian Peninsula, is renowned for its remarkable rock carvings, including depictions of hunting and grazing scenes and human figures, alongside inscriptions in Thamudic, Musnad, and Kufic scripts — some dating to 7,000 B.C.

Bin Saleh said that Najran has gained significant attention in the eyes of visitors, particularly following the inclusion of the Hima Cultural Area on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ongoing archaeological discoveries, led by Saudi and international teams, continue to unveil the region’s rich historical legacy.

Bin Saleh urges Saudi youth interested in becoming tour guides to immerse themselves in the region’s history, while also mastering English.

He stressed the importance of representing the true beauty of Saudi Arabia and showcasing the country’s cultural and archaeological treasures, which make it a unique and historically vibrant destination.


Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah

Updated 02 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia to host global symposium for sea turtle conservation in Jeddah

  • Symposium organized by General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS)

JEDDAH: The Red Sea will take center stage in global marine conservation efforts as the first International Symposium for the Conservation of Sea Turtles is set to take place in Jeddah from Nov. 3 to 6.

The event will bring together an elite gathering of over 30 local and international experts and researchers focused on protecting endangered sea turtle species and preserving marine biodiversity, Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

The symposium, organized by the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), will feature presentations and panel discussions on the latest scientific research, innovative solutions for sea turtle protection, and strategies for international collaboration.

In a statement, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture highlighred the importance of the symposium as a platform to drive effective conservation strategies and ensure the sustainable future of the Red Sea’s unique marine ecosystem.

SHAMS’ initiatives aim to develop advanced conservation policies and elevate environmental awareness around the Red Sea, particularly through innovation in marine protection.

According to the Ministry, this event will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s standing in the field of marine environmental protection while supporting the sustainable conservation of marine species and their natural habitats in the Red Sea.