AlUla Artist Residency Showcases Creative Excellence at International Design Awardshttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/5323328-alula-artist-residency-showcases-creative-excellence-international-design-awards
AlUla Artist Residency Showcases Creative Excellence at International Design Awards
The AlUla Artist Residency Program has strengthened its presence on the international design scene, with several of its participants receiving awards at the fourth edition of the Design Award. (SPA)
AlUla Artist Residency Showcases Creative Excellence at International Design Awards
The AlUla Artist Residency Program has strengthened its presence on the international design scene, with several of its participants receiving awards at the fourth edition of the Design Award. (SPA)
The AlUla Artist Residency Program has strengthened its presence on the international design scene, with several of its participants receiving awards at the fourth edition of the Design Award, organized by the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.
Saudi architect and artist Aseel Alamoudi won the Emerging Talent Award for her project "Playformation: The Curve and The Dot," inspired by AlUla's rock formations and natural curves.
The Contemporary Craftsmanship Award was presented to Altin Studio, founded by Yasmine Sfar and Mehdi Kebaier, for their sculptural work "Our AlUla Trilogy" (2025), comprising three pieces titled "Wadi,Waha," and "Yusr." The pieces were crafted from palm wood and plant fibers. The project combines traditional crafts with contemporary design, drawing inspiration from AlUla's landscape and natural materials while evoking the palm cultures of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
The international awards won by the participants reflect the initiative's expanding reach and its creative output's growing presence on the global stage, as part of the cultural and artistic momentum taking place in AlUla through its diverse residency programs, exhibitions, events, and festivals.
Ghassan Salame to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon’s War-Damaged Heritage Could Take a Generation to Restorehttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/5331415-ghassan-salame-asharq-al-awsat-lebanon%E2%80%99s-war-damaged-heritage-could-take-generation
Ghassan Salame to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon’s War-Damaged Heritage Could Take a Generation to Restore
The platform was launched at the Lebanese National Library in Beirut. (Ministry of Culture)
Family photographs, home videos, letters, interviews and old songs are finding a new home in a digital archive created by Lebanon’s Culture Ministry to preserve personal memories as part of the country’s collective history.
Presented at the National Library, the “Archiving Lebanon’s Heritage” platform aims to build a global digital archive of Lebanon’s tangible and intangible heritage, including its natural and personal heritage, for future generations.
Developed by the ministry in partnership with the Heritage International Institute (HII) and other international organizations, the platform invites contributions from Lebanese at home and abroad, as well as anyone with accounts or records of the country’s past.
The initiative was unveiled in the presence of Culture Minister Ghassan Salame, Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Marcelli, HII President Sergio Iovino and Lebanon’s Director General of Antiquities Sarkis Khoury.
Salame with Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Marcelliat the launch ceremony. (Ministry of Culture)
Treasures hidden in Lebanese homes
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Salame explained that the latest war had damaged archaeological sites, historic markets and Lebanon’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
“I cannot put a precise figure on these losses. They certainly exceed millions of dollars, and restoring what was damaged could take an entire generation,” he noted.
The minister stressed that the war had affected all Lebanese in one way or another, describing its impact as “the theft of our intimate history, a history that is priceless.”
He stressed the importance of preserving existing heritage through modern technologies that can extend the lifespan of photographs, documents and other historical records.
Salame pointed out that private collections may contain materials more significant than those held by some public institutions.
While preparing the exhibition “Between the Lines of the Constitution” to mark the centenary of Lebanon’s Constitution, organizers discovered valuable documents preserved by families because a relative had held a particular position or worked in a field connected to them.
“These are treasures hidden in homes and within families,” Salame observed, stressing that the scale of these private collections should not be underestimated.
The platform accepts digital copies rather than originals. Contributors wishing to donate original documents can deposit them with the National Library for safekeeping. A written agreement protects contributors’ intellectual property rights, which remain exclusively theirs. They may also withdraw their materials from the platform at any time.
Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame delivers remarks at the event. (Ministry of Culture)
Contributors control access
Donors can decide how widely their submissions are shared, from keeping them in a completely private, protected archive to authorizing their publication.
Iovino described the initiative as providing the foundations for a “digital fortress” open to millions of Lebanese expatriates, as well as friends of Lebanon and people around the world.
Contributors, he stressed, retain full ownership of their memories and control over their accessibility.
Khoury urged Lebanese not to be discouraged by the heritage lost to war.
“Our story does not end with these losses or with the damage to our tangible and intangible heritage,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “We are the ones who create our heritage, as we have throughout history. Our memories help save what remains.”
Italy pledges continued support
Marcelli reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to preserving Lebanon’s cultural heritage, citing its involvement in restoring the Beirut National Museum and other museums damaged by the port explosion.
He also highlighted recent restoration work at the historic Mar Mikhael railway station, carried out in cooperation with UNESCO and the UN refugee agency.
Although these projects differ, they share a common goal: preserving historical evidence and making it accessible to the public. The new initiative, however, shifts the focus from monuments and institutions to the lives of individuals, families and communities.
Marcelli underscored the value of microhistory, which examines everyday experiences rather than focusing exclusively on major political events, wars, institutions and prominent figures.
The basic idea is that studying a seemingly marginal event, an ordinary person or a small community can reveal important insights into how an entire society functions, he said.
King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah Fosters Cultural Activity in Qassimhttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/5331144-king-khalid-cultural-center-buraidah-fosters-cultural-activity-qassim
The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA
King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah Fosters Cultural Activity in Qassim
The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA
The King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah is a prominent cultural landmark in Qassim Region. It holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums.
Official spokesperson for the Qassim Region Municipality Nayef Al-Nufai stated that the center serves as a vibrant space for activities and programs that bring together various segments of society, providing an ideal environment for specialized events and professional gatherings, SPA reported.
He added that the municipality is committed to maximizing the utility of such cultural facilities, ensuring they serve the community effectively, align with residents' aspirations, invigorate cultural and tourism activity, and elevate Buraidah's urban landscape.
Northern Borders Region’s Heritage Preserves Cultural Identityhttps://english.aawsat.com/culture/5331142-northern-borders-region%E2%80%99s-heritage-preserves-cultural-identity
Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA
Northern Borders Region’s Heritage Preserves Cultural Identity
Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA
Northern Borders Region preserves a diverse intangible cultural heritage, including social customs, folk arts, and knowledge rooted in desert life that remain deeply embedded in the local community's consciousness and daily practices.
The region evokes its collective memory and cultural heritage through social practices passed down through generations, including generosity, hospitality, and traditional gathering spaces where community members meet to exchange news and ideas, SPA reported.
Saudi coffee is also central, along with the etiquette and traditions surrounding its preparation and service, which embody the values of welcoming others and fostering social connection.
Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion.
The region’s traditional way of life is reflected in various crafts and manual practices developed to meet the needs of desert life. This includes specialized knowledge of camels and traditional methods for traveling and living in the desert, as well as the expertise gained from navigating its challenging climatic conditions.
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