Kingdom’s library brings Saudi culture to Chinese readers

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King Abdulaziz Public Library is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program. (Supplied)
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King Abdulaziz Public Library is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program. (Supplied)
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King Abdulaziz Public Library is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program. (Supplied)
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Updated 05 August 2024
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Kingdom’s library brings Saudi culture to Chinese readers

  • A series of scientific, cultural and literary works in Arabic were selected for translation into various languages, including Chinese
  • Purpose of program is to present comprehensive portrait of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program.

A series of scientific, cultural and literary works in Arabic were selected for translation into various languages, including Chinese.

The purpose of the program is to present a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers, an official statement noted.

The first volume of “The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia” is one of the most prominent works the library has translated into Chinese, and represents the first step toward translating all 20 volumes of the encyclopedia.

The volumes will cover all regions of the Kingdom with a focus on their history, archeology, culture and geography, economy, social patterns, customs and traditions, tourism, and wildlife.

The library also translated the book “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China: A History of Trade Relations between China and the Arabian Peninsula,” which highlights the contributions of the Arab-Islamic nation and China, and their scientific achievements in many fields such as astronomy, sciences, geography, agriculture and medicine, among others.

The book also shows their long-standing relations before and after the emergence of Islam, as they exchanged trade and travel via the Silk Road. The book reveals the reality of their cooperation and mutual understanding and is an important source for researchers from both civilizations, the official statement explained.

Among works selected for translation into Chinese is Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mana’s book “In the Footsteps of Al-Mutanabbi,” which documents the locations the Abbasid-era poet passed through during his journey from Cairo to Kufa.

Some of the books the library is also translating into Chinese include “Modern Woman in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Rights Challenges and Achievements” by Hend Al-Sudairy.

Al-Sudairy’s book places women in a broader cultural context, exploring diverse topics and historical developments and highlighting their social and economic contributions. It allows readers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the reality on the ground by examining and connecting Saudi women’s past with their present.

Other works to be translated into Chinese include “The Art of Sadu between the Past and the Present,” “Saudi Landmarks and Places,” and “Traditional Jewelry of Women in Central Arabian Peninsula.”

The library has also completed the translation of 11 children’s stories from Arabic to Chinese. These stories cover a wide range of topics, offering young Chinese readers a window into Saudi Arabia’s rich history and culture.

Since establishing its branch at Peking University in China six years ago, the library has been engaged in numerous activities aimed at introducing Chinese audiences to various elements of Saudi, Arab and Islamic culture.

The initiatives include facilitating seminars and workshops on traditional Saudi arts and the Arabic language.


Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh

Updated 5 sec ago
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Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh

  • Festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy
  • Anibal Gomez Toledo: We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain

RIYADH: The ambassador of Mexico to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez Toledo, hosted a vibrant national day celebration in Riyadh to commemorate Mexico’s independence day on Sunday.

The festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy to highlight the strong ties between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador emphasized the significance of September as a month of celebration for both nations.

The ambassador said that the national day celebration hosted in Saudi Arabia held meaning for both Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

“Mexico and Saudi Arabia started bilateral relations back on September 12, 1952, so within the same month Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day on September 23,” he told Arab News.

“So September is a month of celebration for both Mexicans and Saudi Arabia.” 

The Mexico national day festivities took place in the Diplomatic Quarters Cultural Palace and welcomed ambassadors, Mexicans living in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities and friends of the embassy in an evening of celebration and music.

“It’s a very significant day. It is the most important day in our history,” Toledo said.

“We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain.

“At that time, a group of leaders headed this movement and they started the call on the night of September 15, so exactly at midnight on the 16th is when the movement started, and that is why we enact this special event that we are having today,” he said.

Guests followed the ambassador’s lead in waving flags and chanting “Viva la Mexico,” a chant that embodies the nation’s continued prosperity and freedom.

Toledo also highlighted a significant moment during the celebrations called “El Grito,” a tribute to the Mexican people’s battle cry when they rose up against Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810.

“Grito is the call of our founders when they started the revolution of independence. They called and started to gather, and we do something similar tonight,” he said.

“Saudis are very generous and very welcoming and very warm. We feel this warmth from Saudi people toward us Mexicans and Mexico.

“I have been here for almost five years, and I have this feeling of emotion when I am with a Saudi. We are not only friends but brothers ... I don’t know if we share the same DNA or something like that,” he said jokingly.

“We get along very easily; you can see how Saudis celebrate our day and how Mexicans celebrate Saudi national day.” 

The ambassador said that the two countries have been “working closely in the past five, six years.”

He added: “We activated our political dialogue, and now our bilateral dialogue is strong and solid. We have exchanged a number of high-level visits from both sides.”

When asked where he would like to see cooperation grow, the ambassador said that trade and tourism were areas of focus.

“Mexico and Saudi Arabia are G20 countries, two of the 20 largest economies in the world. I think we have great potential to continue together.

“Our bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion; five to six years ago, it was less than $300 million. We are seeing bilateral trade growing, and what I would like to have is to double or triple this figure.”

On tourism and cultural exchange, the envoy said that he “would also like to see more Mexicans in Saudi Arabia and more Saudis in Mexico.”

Toledo said that in May, the embassy signed an MoU between two higher education institutions in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, King Fahad Petroleum and Minerals and the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico offering scholarships for Mexicans to study their graduate degrees in Saudi Arabia.


Crown Prince meets with Egyptian prime minister

Updated 16 min 14 sec ago
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Crown Prince meets with Egyptian prime minister

  • Mostafa Madbouly conveyed greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Salman and crown prince

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Egyptian prime minister conveyed the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to King Salman and Prince Mohammed, SPA added.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries, prospects for joint cooperation and ways to enhance and develop ties.

The meeting was also attended by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers for Shura Council Affairs Essam bin Saeed, and the Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi. 

Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi Investment Minister, and Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan were joined by the Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasser Al-Rumayan at the meeting.

The ambassadors of both countries and Egyptian ministers were also in attendance.


Jazan club organizes workshop to enhance tourism experience

Updated 16 September 2024
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Jazan club organizes workshop to enhance tourism experience

RIYADH: The Jazan Tourist Guides Club organized a workshop on museum guidance for guides at Al-Alia Museum in Al-Dagharir, Samtah governorate.

The workshop, held under the National Portal for Hobbies, or Hawi, showed the importance of cultural museums and their role in displaying the region’s heritage, traditions, and the preservation of history, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The guides toured the museum, which contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage, enriching the knowledge of the current generation, and providing information for researchers and people interested in history through its collection of artifacts.

The workshop was part of the club’s efforts to prepare tour guides for the job market and train them in museum guiding techniques.

The club holds training sessions at various tourist attractions throughout Jazan, preparing guides for real-life situations.

Its goal is to prepare tour guides to accompany tourists, plan well-organized tours, and create enjoyable tour itineraries for guests of all nationalities, ages, and interests, the report noted.

The workshops also enrich tour guides’ knowledge of the landmarks in Jazan and train them on how to handle different circumstances in which tourists may find themselves, provide accurate information, and create an exciting experience that reflects the beauty and charm of Jazan. 


Madarik program trains 1,000 for space sector growth

Updated 16 September 2024
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Madarik program trains 1,000 for space sector growth

RIYADH: The Communications, Space and Technology Commission has concluded the Madarik program, which trained 1,000 participants with the aim of furthering Saudi Arabia’s space sector growth.

Participants received intensive training in three tracks: space business, space software and data, and space engineering, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The three-month program was held in partnership with the International Space University in France, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training, with Al-Yamama University in Riyadh as an educational partner.

Courses were conducted in Riyadh and Jeddah, helping participants refine their skills and deepen their knowledge in specialized fields of space science, the commission said.

The program aimed to equip participants to keep pace with Saudi space sector advancements and contribute to a sustainable future.

The first track focused on space economics and project success, the second on data and software for satellite applications, and the third on spacecraft design, maintenance, and control.

Launched in May, Madarik targeted recent graduates, professionals, and specialists as part of the commission’s efforts to regulate the space sector, empower national talent, and promote future space professions.


Golden Pen Award invites Arabic writers to compete

Updated 16 September 2024
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Golden Pen Award invites Arabic writers to compete

  • Top literary works to win cash prizes, movie deals and global recognition

RIYADH: Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh has announced that Arabic-speaking writers can start submitting their works to compete for the Golden Pen Award, granted for the most influential literary work.

The winning scripts may be made into movies by the authority, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Applications for the award, sponsored by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, will be accepted until Sept. 30.

A longlist will be announced on Nov. 30, followed by the shortlist on Dec. 30. The awards will be presented at a ceremony scheduled to take place in February 2025, which is expected to draw an elite group of writers, intellectuals, filmmakers and actors.

The six award categories are — the grand prize, the novel, the screenplay, the best translated novel, the best Arab publisher, and the audience award, with a total prize value of $740,000.

For both the grand prize and the screenplay categories, the first-place prizes will be $100,000 and the production of a movie, the second-place prizes will be $50,000 and the production of a movie, while the third-place prizes will be $30,000.

In the novel category, there will be eight prizes worth $25,000 each, including the best suspense and thriller novel, the best mystery and crime novel, the best romance novel, the best fantasy novel, the best comedy novel, the best historical novel, the best horror novel, and the best realistic novel.

The best translated novel will receive $100,000, while the best Arab publisher will be awarded $50,000, and the audience award will be $30,000, with public voting to open on the award website at a later date.

Last week, at the inauguration of the Golden Pen Award website, Al-Sheikh said that the website would serve as a comprehensive repository of Arabic novels, screenplays and related content, aligning with large-scale productions underway across the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sheikh said the Golden Pen Forum would be a special gathering place for writers with free membership. He added that there would be specific criteria for selecting beneficiary members, making it a vibrant focal point throughout the year in the Arab world.

Chairman of the Golden Pen Award Saad Al-Bazei encouraged all Arab writers and authors to participate in the competition, which aims to enrich Arabic content with high-value works.