Saudi Arabia’s Al-Majaridah Winter Festival draws 30,000 visitors
Festival’s recreational activities include theatrical shows and competitions for children, with folk groups presenting popular shows, such as the Ardah dance
A honey festival was held in the exhibition hall on Art Street, in which 41 exhibitors, including beekeepers and honey producers, took part
Updated 12 December 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Al-Majaridah Winter tourism festival has attracted more than 30,000 people since launching two weeks ago.
The organizers said diverse activities are being held near Art Street in the center of the Al-Majaridah Governorate in the Asir region, such as shopping and entertainment, providing dozens of seasonal jobs for young men and women.
Citizens and visitors are visiting the festival’s shopping hall where household items, clothes, perfumes, sweets and other products are displayed.
The festival’s recreational activities include theatrical shows and competitions for children, with folk groups presenting popular shows, such as the Ardah dance. The festival also incorporates an amusement city with a range of games.
A honey festival was held in the exhibition hall on Art Street, in which 41 exhibitors, including beekeepers and honey producers, took part.
Several government authorities also took part in the event, in addition to farmers and producing families.
The festival showcased some of the most popular types of honey, such as sidr, sumra, shouka, Al-Majarah and Al-Dhahyan, as well as honey products, and beekeeping tools and wax.
The Al-Majaridah Governorate is a prominent winter tourist destination, attracting people seeking a warm climate and breathtaking nature.
Gail’s Bakery co-founder dismisses claims of Israeli ownership as ‘ridiculous’
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The co-founder and chief executive of London’s Gail's Bakery, Tom Molnar, has addressed claims that the bakery is Israel-owned and opposed to the ceasefire, calling these allegations “ridiculous.”
In an interview with The Times, Molnar said: “Gail’s proudly has Jewish roots and there’s plenty of stuff out there celebrating our heritage and history, but it’s not true it’s Israel-owned.
“There’s some just crazy stuff on the web thinking we are funding Israel, which is just completely ridiculous. We’re a wholly UK-based business, paying UK taxes, it’s just ludicrous and I think it needs to be called out,” Molnar added.
The backlash against the bakery has been growing over the past month, fueled by posts like one from author Salma Ibrahim on X, who wrote: “Guys, Gail’s is an Israeli company. Another one to boycott along with Starbucks and Pret.” Her post garnered over 3,700 shares and likes, reaching nearly 300,000 people.
DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna joined Coldplay on stage this week during their concert in Dublin to perform their recently released song “We Pray.”
“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she wrote to her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and most importantly for my hometown Palestine.”
Saudi nurse transforms passion for painting into professional pursuit
Osama Samara prepares to host his upcoming solo painting gallery in Riyadh
Updated 30 August 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: A Saudi nurse has transformed his passion for painting into a part-time career and will soon host a solo exhibition in Riyadh.
Osama Samara, a dedicated full-time nurse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, began his artistic journey 15 years ago.
As he prepares to host the upcoming solo painting gallery in Riyadh, Samara, 31, aims to expand his reach to Jeddah, but finding the time to do so has proven a significant challenge.
A significant milestone was achieved in 2018 when Samara sold his most expensive piece, titled Une Femme Élégante, for 31,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately $8,266). (AN photos by Rahaf Jambi)
“The plans for my gallery in Riyadh are set, but I wish I could also establish one in Jeddah. Unfortunately, the hustle of making time for that is overwhelming,” Samara told Arab News.
The artist’s exhibition will feature some of his most famous works.
Samara sold his first painting in 2009 — a depiction of a Dragon Ball Super Saiyan character that a friend had commissioned. This initial success ignited his passion for painting.
HIGHLIGHT
Osama Samara sold his first painting in 2009 — a depiction of a Dragon Ball Super Saiyan character that a friend had commissioned. This initial success ignited his passion for painting.
Since then, he has taken part in various local exhibitions, mainly in group settings, and has even trained at the prestigious Venice Biennale through the Misk Art Foundation.
However, until now, time constraints, work commitments and the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented Samara from hosting his first solo exhibition.
Osama Samara, a dedicated full-time nurse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, began his artistic journey 15 years ago. (AN photos by Rahaf Jambi)
“My board has been ready for five years; I just need to find the opportunity to display it,” he said.
“I was waiting for the right moment, but work commitments kept piling up. Now, I primarily focus on commissioned pieces, and thankfully, the prices for these commissions have reached levels comparable to my exhibition works. This shift has reduced the urgency I felt about holding exhibitions,” he said.
Samara highlighted the deep emotional connection he has with his work. “Growing up without a mother left a significant void in my life. I turned to art as a means of expression and connection. Initially, I painted women in melancholic styles to reflect my childhood experiences. Each brushstroke was infused with emotion, allowing me to articulate feelings I couldn’t express in words.”
His love for art began in childhood: “I was 6 years old when I had a favorite sticker that I didn’t want to waste. Instead of using it, I decided to replicate it. That was my first painting, and it set me on this path.”
Samara credits his late father for nurturing his artistic talent.
“My father was incredibly supportive; he once drew two palms and a boat on paper for me. That moment encouraged me greatly, and he took pride in my artistic pursuits.”
Today, painting serves as both a source of joy and a potential secondary income for Samara. “While my childhood was difficult, I’ve found ways to express those experiences through art. I also use sports as a form of therapeutic expression. Balancing nursing and painting can be challenging, but I make it work. I often come home after long shifts, paint until late at night, and then wake up early for work again.”
Samara acknowledges the financial potential of his art but understands the need for consistency and dedication. “Art can be lucrative, but I’m building my business gradually. I’ve secured contracts and worked with designers, as well as managed logistics, packaging and marketing. Each element must operate in harmony before I can even consider leaving my nursing job.”
His paintings have attracted numerous clients from around the Gulf, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
One of his standout pieces features a woman’s face adorned with intricate Arabic elements.
Samara said of the work: “I painted it during Ramadan, pouring my heart into it. I stayed up all night, finishing around 4:30 a.m. Initially, I was frustrated with how it turned out, so I decided to post it on social media anyway, simply because of the effort I had put in. To my surprise, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and I received many encouraging messages. The painting was so unique that I ended up creating three similar versions.”
In 2018, Samara sold the most expensive piece of his career, “Une Femme Elegante,” for SR31,000 ($8,266). The mixed media artwork features a blend of Arabic elements, typography and street art, with a meticulously designed frame finished using clear resin.
“Good work pays off,” he tells aspiring artists. “Stay true to your vision and put in the effort. The rewards may come, but they require patience and perseverance.”
As Samara prepares for his gallery event, he exemplifies how passion and dedication can lead to a fulfilling career in the arts. Balancing nursing and painting may be challenging, but his commitment to both professions highlights the power of creativity and resilience.
Through his art, Samara not only shares his personal journey, but also invites others to connect with their own emotions and experiences. With a bright future ahead, he proves that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.
REVIEW: Jeff Goldblum shines as Zeus in modern-day Greek comedy ‘Kaos’
Updated 30 August 2024
Adam Grundey
DUBAI: Although “Kaos” is steeped in the world of ancient Greek myth, its story of an aging, vain, thin-skinned despot desperate to be worshipped and prone to lash out indiscriminately in rage if he feels slighted is, sadly, very of-the-moment.
In this case, that despot is Zeus (played beautifully by Jeff Goldblum), king of the deities, who lives on Mount Olympus with his wife (who’s also his sister — that’s the ancient Greeks for you) Hera (a regal and weary-of-cleaning-up-Zeus’-messes Janet McTeer).
“Kaos” is set in an alternative modern world where pantheism is still the prominent religion, and where the deities — and other figures from Greek mythology — move among humans. We jump into the action on the holy day of Olympia, when humans celebrate Zeus (via, among other ways, human sacrifice of a willing volunteer). A new monument to him is due to be unveiled, but when it is, it has been vandalized by a gang of Trojans. Coupled with the discovery of a new wrinkle on his forehead, this is enough to send Zeus spiraling, and he decides that an old prophecy about the end of his reign must be coming true — leading to ever-increasing paranoia and bad choices.
The catch is, at least according to the narrator, Prometheus (whom Zeus considers his closest friend, despite condemning him to an eternity chained to a rock while an eagle pecks at his liver), the prophecy is coming true. Or, at least, a series of events that will have the same effect is in motion.
Ostensibly, “Kaos” is a comedy. And there are certainly some very funny moments. But it’s also much deeper than that. In the first two episodes alone there are ruminations about the loneliness of falling out of love with your partner, gender politics, and the potential damage of parental expectations; (off-camera) infanticide; a magnificent scene of a young couple wordlessly pleading with The Fates to be allowed to enter the Underworld and try to recover their deceased son; and many takes on the danger of power. In other words, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. And that’s without mentioning all the great portrayals of other figures from Greek myth (including Orpheus, Dionysus, Hades, Medusa, and Cassandra).
Show creator Charlie Covell has crafted something very special with “Kaos.” It’s an intelligent, compelling, very funny, and deeply moving show that richly rewards — and deserves — your attention.
Saudi fitness coach Najia Alfadl: Breaking barriers and building communities through sport
‘Knowing that you never fail, but you always learn, is key,’ says Najia Alfadl
Updated 30 August 2024
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: Najia Alfadl — whose first name could be interpreted in Arabic as “safe haven” — has devoted her career to being just that.
Alfadl, a Saudi fitness coach currently based in Dubai, is breaking barriers by empowering women of all ages to transform their lives through sports, and emphasizing inclusivity and community support.
“The Najia you see today versus 10 years ago is completely different, and that’s why I respect sport,” Alfadl tells Arab News. “It empowered me. I see it firsthand, not only with myself, but with the women that I coach — how confident they are, how their self-worth improves.
Najia Alfadl. (Supplied)
“I believe that sport teaches you valuable life skills that no one can take away from you: discipline, resilience, critical thinking. Any obstacle that you see as a big obstacle is honestly your mind tricking itself,” she continues. “If you know your ‘why,’ your ‘how,’ ‘when’ and ‘who,’ you become a powerhouse. Once I found my passion and I knew my ‘why’, I stuck with it. I’m here 10 years later doing exactly what I was hoping I would do.”
Alfadl began her fitness journey in Saudi before moving to Dubai where she now works as a strength and conditioning coach at gym chain Wellfit.
After graduating high school in 2014, Alfadl dove deeper into sport at university. She describes that as a “test” period, in which she was exploring her options. She began with boxing classes alongside her cousin Halah Alhamrani (now known as Saudi Arabia’s first female boxing gym owner), shadowing her as she taught classes, before moving onto CrossFit and calisthenics.
Najia Alfadl. (Supplied)
“That was where the calling happened…I’m a true believer in the multidisciplinary approach. At the end of the day, fitness isn’t just a phase in your life, it’s for the long haul, so you think about longevity,” she says. “And fitness today, especially if you’re young, looks different in six months or three years. I just made sure that I was enjoying and taking the benefits out of everything.”
Alfadl earned a Bachelor’s in speech and language pathology from Dar Al-Hekma University. During her time there, she had already started to think about coaching professionally, and spent many weekends traveling to workshops and seminars across the GCC, earning several training certificates along the way. And she found that her major was of great assistance in her coaching career.
“The common ground they have is communication, whether it’s visual, tactile, or verbal. You can attend as many courses as you want and be as certified as possible but (it’s worthless if) you can’t convey what you’re supposed to. Communication is key,” she says.
Najia Alfadl. (Supplied)
Alfadl invested much of her time at university delving into the educational aspect of coaching and the psychological nuances of fitness that are key to delivering highly technical classes like CrossFit, which incorporates weightlifting, gymnastics, and conditioning.
“You have to be credible. People have to believe in you,” she says, stressing that that means not just the way in which a coach communicates, but also ensuring that the information communicated is accurate and safe.
She moved to Dubai in 2021, having been head CrossFit coach at Alhamrani’s Flagboxing Fight Like A Girl Boxing Studio. When she got the offer from Wellfit, she knew that, having always challenged her clients to explore new horizons, she had to practice what she preached.
“The idea of moving was scary after growing up and being in Saudi for so long, but the things that scare you are the ones that really end up having the most impact in your life, and that’s why I say I’m very fortunate that I took the risk of moving away from my family and getting into this crazy, rewarding, and inspirational endeavor,” she says.
But she believes that beginning her career in the Kingdom, as opposed to a saturated overseas market, was of huge benefit.
“My career really prospered, and was cultivated, because of the upbringing, the culture, the community, and the need for sports in Saudi. I carried a lot of those values to Dubai — building communities, creating educational spaces, and building awareness around the importance of sports, and mental health; taking care of yourself not just physically but spiritually,” she says.
The shift to Dubai also allowed Alfadl to expand her client base, as in the Kingdom, she was limited to working only with women. Whoever she is coaching, though, she is committed to instilling in them the confidence to conquer whatever they set their minds to.
Her top fitness tips are not focused on the physical, she says, but the mental, beginning with finding a sporting activity that “nurtures you spiritually as well.” Secondly, she says, “Knowing that you never fail, but you always learn, is key. And keeping that knowledge and seeking knowledge is what’s going to lead you to improvement. Never assume you know everything — always seek knowledge.”
Her final piece of advice is to be kind to yourself and listen to — but also challenge — your “inner voice.”
“I want you to reach the conclusion of your capability on your own, but with my support and guidance. It’s an open dialogue, but you have to be open to constructive criticism because you leave the session learning valuable life skills that you can apply day to day,” she says. “With sports, you see an improvement in the way that you think, your memory, and how you perceive yourself too. And that’s the real beauty of it.”
