Saudi Arabia introduces Madarik program to aid development of nation’s space industry

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Literary and Cultural Club will hold its 21st Literary Text Forum from Feb.4-6.

The three-day event will explore “Literary and Cultural History in Saudi Arabia between Oral and Written Traditions,” bringing together prominent writers, critics and intellectuals from across the region.

Dr. Abdullah bin Owaiqel Al-Sulami, the club’s president, said the forum would continue the club’s mission to foster critical dialogue and deepen literary discourse through comprehensive historical and critical studies.

This year’s edition will honor historian Mohammed Abdul Razzaq Al-Qash’ami for his significant contributions towards documenting Saudi Arabia’s literary and cultural heritage.

The forum’s agenda reflects the dynamic evolution of Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape, structured around nine core themes examining the interplay between oral traditions and written expressions.

According to Al-Sulami, these sessions will explore how these have shaped the Kingdom’s cultural narrative.

Dr. Abdulrahman bin Rajallah Al-Sulami, who heads the forum’s scientific committee, outlined the scope of the event.

Sessions will examine aspects of Saudi cultural heritage including ancient oral culture origins, historical inscriptions and documents, handicrafts and their literary manifestations, oral literature genres and literary narratives in biographies and memoirs.

He said the forum served as an intellectual platform aimed at motivating researchers and intellectuals to study and develop literature while promoting literary and creative trends.

The forum has drawn significant academic interest, with 50 research papers submitted, from which 20 were selected for presentation. Organizers say this robust response underscores the forum’s relevance to contemporary cultural discourse in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sulami expressed gratitude to those whose papers were accepted, as well as to the researchers who contribute valuable perspectives to the forum.

RIYADH: A Saudi Arabia-Brazil cultural event, under the Eltiqa program, was launched on Thursday at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh.

The event, which ends Feb. 1, was organized by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts under the patronage of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, minister of culture and chair of the institute’s board of trustees.

The program features five traditional Saudi performances and five Brazilian performances, culminating in a dance that integrates artistic elements from both nations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Following the success of the inaugural Eltiqa event with South Korea in 2023, this second edition reaffirms the royal institute’s commitment to fostering international cultural dialogue.

On display is a collaborative artwork titled “Harmony,” created by two female artists, from Saudi Arabia and Brazil. More than 15 cultural activities and specialized workshops have been planned.

The event contributes to promoting and expanding traditional arts, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.