JEDDAH: As the arts and culture initiative Balad Al-Fann progresses, Jeddah’s historical Al-Balad district is attracting locals, residents and tourists to enjoy beautiful nights in the historic alleys and streets of the old town.
The theme for Balad Al-Fann, which runs until March 9, is “Past Forward,” and the historical district is brimming with projects that combine light and sound, music, theatrical performances, exhibitions, and a number of local eateries and cafes.
Balad Al-Fann, which is organized by the Jeddah Historic District Program, is hosting a variety of cultural programs including a “Common Ground” arts and crafts program; the “Sinbad: I Can See Land” exhibition; Sama’a (Sonic Recall); Al-Mualaqat Street, where famous pre-Islamic poems are being presented in an innovative way; the “Matters through Matter” exhibition; the “Hot Cities” exhibition; the International Jazz Program; and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts exhibition, along with comedy workshops and artistic plays.
The director general of the Jeddah Historic District Program, Abdulaziz Al-Issa, said Balad Al-Fann was launched to promote Al-Balad as an important cultural destination and a major creative hub for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Zawiya 97, a hub for the Saudi creative and traditional arts scene, incubates creative endeavors of all sizes near Jeddah’s iconic Nassif House. The hub’s CEO, Ahmed Angawi, told Arab News: “We at Zawiya 97 celebrate unity, diversity, and the arts as the heart of cultural enrichment. The ‘Common Ground’ program (is) inspired by our cultural heritage and architecture as a universal language of civilization.”
Guests can meet artists at their studios, view their works, and participate in the creation of various products and art pieces. The artists will contribute to the community by sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Angawi added that Zawiya 97 is also organizing its first photographic exhibition — “Nass Al-Balad” (People of Al-Balad): “The exhibition sheds light on the human element of historic Jeddah and the continued impact of its community and its people,” he said. “‘Nass Al-Balad’ is a celebration of them … documenting their stories, crafts, traditions and talents, and ensuring that they are passed down to future generations. It also aims to raise awareness of the importance of arts and crafts.”
In her presentation about the “Sonic Recall” program at Balad Al-Fann, Tara Al-Dughaither, curator and founder of the artistic research, documentation and production platform Sawtasura, explained: “To me, art is a way to express and deliver ideas, feelings and experiences … ‘Sonic Recall’ is a program that falls under the umbrella of audio sound.”
Suhaib Al-Hogbani, a Saudi visitor from Riyadh, told Arab News that the atmosphere in Al-Balad was “entertaining,” adding that the area has changed a lot and there are now many events to attend.
“These alleys and narrow winding streets make us live an experience,” Al-Hogbani said. “It is so nice to see artists near Nassif house working in their studios and visitors can engage with them.”
Naseem Rida, a Jeddah resident from Syria who was visiting Al-Balad with his family, stressed that Al-Balad is a nice destination for all members of the family.
“We found it very exciting and entertaining and it is the place to be these days,” he said.
Balad Al-Fann shines spotlight on rich culture, arts of Jeddah
https://arab.news/2pgt7
Balad Al-Fann shines spotlight on rich culture, arts of Jeddah
- Visitors flock to city’s historical district to visit new cultural initiative
- The hub’s CEO, Ahmed Angawi, told Arab News: “We at Zawiya 97 celebrate unity, diversity, and the arts as the heart of cultural enrichment”
Saudi Arabia and other countries condemn recent expansionist Israeli decisions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and several other countries on Monday condemned a series of recent Israeli decisions that introduce sweeping extensions to unlawful Israeli control over the West Bank.
In a statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Brazil, France, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the Secretary Generals of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemned the changes that “reclassify Palestinian land as so-called Israeli ‘state land,’ accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration.”
“We are clear that Israel’s illegal settlements, and decisions designed to further them, are a flagrant violation of international law, including previous United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice,” the statement read.
“These latest decisions are part of a clear trajectory that aims to change the reality on the ground and to advance unacceptable de facto annexation. They also undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the 20 point plan for Gaza, and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration,” it added.
The foreign ministers called on Israel to reverse the decisions immediately, respect its international obligations, and refrain from actions that would result in permanent changes to the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian Territory.
“These decisions follow the unprecedented acceleration of Israel’s settlement policy, with the approval of the E1 project and the publication of its tender. Such actions are a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and the implementation of the two-state solution,” the foreign ministers said.
They reiterated their rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
“We oppose any form of annexation,” they said.
They also called on Israel to put an end to settler violence against Palestinians, including by holding those responsible accountable. They described the escalation in the West Bank as “alarming.”
“We reaffirm our commitment to taking concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territory and policies and threats of forcible displacement and annexation,” they said.
“In the holy month of Ramadan, we also stress the importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, recognizing the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard. We condemn repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, which constitute a threat to regional stability.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the two-state solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions, based on the 4 June 1967 lines. As reflected in the New York Declaration, the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is imperative for regional peace, stability, and integration. Only by realizing an independent, sovereign and democratic Palestinian State can coexistence among the region’s peoples and states be achieved,” they said.
The ministers called for the immediate release by Israel of withheld tax revenues due to the Palestinian Authority.
Those revenues must be transferred to the Palestinian Authority, according to the Paris Protocol, and they are vital for the provision of basic services for the Palestinian population in Gaza and in the West Bank, they said.
