Jeddah Al-Balad... The Pleasure of Strolling Through History During Saudi Winter

A glimpse of the architectural beauty of Jeddah Al Balad.
A glimpse of the architectural beauty of Jeddah Al Balad.
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Jeddah Al-Balad... The Pleasure of Strolling Through History During Saudi Winter

A glimpse of the architectural beauty of Jeddah Al Balad.
A glimpse of the architectural beauty of Jeddah Al Balad.

In any discussion about Saudi Arabia’s most prominent tourist sites, Jeddah is inevitably at the forefront.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage made sure that its campaign, Saudi Winter, which runs until the end of March, strived to do the city justice.

The Commission marked out more than 17 winter tourism destinations. With its enchanting atmosphere in the winter and its various sites and monuments, Jeddah is mentioned as an excellent destination.

When speaking of Jeddah as a touristic destination, one cannot but start with Al-Balad (also known as its Historic District), which UNESCO has labeled a World Heritage Site.

Strolling through Jeddah’s historic streets is a unique experience, akin to wandering around in an open-air architecture museum. Its buildings have their own unique style, as do its old shops and streets. The smell of incense and spices that many of the country’s markets are renowned for give a visit to the city a special aroma and a distinctive feel.

The historic district is home to several heritage sites and buildings, like the Old Wall and the Gate of Makkah. It boasts Beit Nassif, the most renowned of Jeddah’s architectural landmarks, where Saudi Arabia’s founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud lived. It is home to the Matbouli House Museum, with its Hijazi architecture and intricately decorated wood-clad entrances.

Perhaps a visit to the Historic District in Jeddah is worthwhile as part of Saudi Winter, which offers more than 300 experiences and various packages provided by over 200 private companies.



Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July are Among Finalists for the Women's Prize for Fiction

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
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Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July are Among Finalists for the Women's Prize for Fiction

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)

American authors Elizabeth Strout and Miranda July are among finalists announced Wednesday for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, alongside four debut novelists exploring the search for freedom in different countries and cultures.

Pulitzer Prize winner Strout’s Maine-set mystery novel “Tell Me Everything” and writer'-filmmaker July’s “All Fours,” in which a “semi-famous artist” seeks a new life, are shortlisted for the 30,000 pound ($39,000) prize. It's open to female English-language writers from any country.

The contenders also include Dutch writer Yael van der Wouden’s postwar story “The Safekeep” and German-born poet Aria Aber’s novel “Good Girl,” about a teenager exploring her dual German-Afghan heritage.

Also on the list are Iran-born writer Sanam Mahloudji’s intergenerational family saga “The Persians,” and “Fundamentally” by Britain's Nussaibah Younis, about an academic trying to rehabilitate women caught up with ISIS, The AP news reported.

Author Kit de Waal, who is chairing the panel of judges, said that the six books were “classics of the future” that explored “the importance of human connection.”

“What is surprising and refreshing is to see so much humor, nuance and lightness employed by these novelists to shed light on challenging concepts,” she said.

Previous winners of the fiction prize, founded in 1996, include Zadie Smith, Tayari Jones and Barbara Kingsolver.

Last year, award organizers launched a companion Women’s Prize for Nonfiction to help rectify an imbalance in publishing. In 2022, only 26.5% of nonfiction books reviewed in Britain’s newspapers were by women, and male writers dominated established nonfiction writing prizes.

Winners of both nonfiction and fiction prizes will be announced on June 12 at a ceremony in London.