عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Saudi Culture Ministry Commemorates Conclusion of ‘Year of Arabic Poetry 2023’

The Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture
TT
TT

Saudi Culture Ministry Commemorates Conclusion of ‘Year of Arabic Poetry 2023’

The Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has celebrated the conclusion of the "Year of Arabic Poetry 2023" initiative, which was supervised by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission (LPTC).
During the celebration ceremony, which was held at Mayadeen Hall – Diriyah and was attended by the CEO of LPTC, Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, and several senior officials, the Commission’s partners who contributed to the programs of the Year of Arabic Poetry were honored.
The "Year of Arabic Poetry 2023" emerged with pride in its authentic Arabic content and its pivotal value in Arab culture throughout the history of the Arabs. It is rooted in the influence of the Arabian Peninsula, which has been a historical home for poetry and poets, serving as a wellspring of literary masterpieces since ancient times.
Through the Year of Arabic Poetry, the Ministry of Culture has endeavored to support Arab poetry, celebrating both its historical and contemporary poets.
This initiative aims to illuminate various poetic genres and purposes while improving its significance in life and society.
The Ministry has achieved this through a series of cultural initiatives, activities, and events held throughout the year.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Greek Potter Keeps Ancient Ways Alive, Wins UNESCO Recognition

A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Greek Potter Keeps Ancient Ways Alive, Wins UNESCO Recognition

A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view of ready handmade pieces in Kouvdis’ family pottery workshop in Agios Stefanos village, near Mandamados on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, September 23, 2024. (Reuters)

In his seaside workshop on the Greek island of Lesbos, Nikos Kouvdis uses ancient techniques to create pottery pieces that have recently been honored with inclusion in UNESCO's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Kouvdis, 70, and his family have kept an old technique alive near the once humming pottery hub of Mandamados, just as the slow and careful methods of the past have been largely eclipsed by factory machines.

Their pottery is among the last in the Mediterranean to be produced from clay in local soil, using a traditional kiln with olive pits as fuel, with the pieces painted with natural lime.

"It's an honor for me," Kouvdis said with regard to the UNESCO recognition of his work.

He said a mechanized press can work at 10 times the speed of an individual potter. "There’s no continuity. There’s no space for (our) method to continue."

Still, he continues to produce individual pots on an outcrop of land overlooking the Aegean Sea.

"Above all, it’s a passion - trying to create something that fulfils you," he said.