Sharjah Xposure Festival Concludes with Participation of 400 Photographers

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
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Sharjah Xposure Festival Concludes with Participation of 400 Photographers

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)
The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. (Xposure)

The fifth edition of the International Festival of Photography (Xposure) concludes on Saturday. On display were more than 1,558 photos submitted by 400 photographers from Arab countries and beyond who captured diverse moments, experiences and aesthetics of people and landscapes alike worldwide.

This year’s edition saw a visual presentation by three international photographers. One is South African Brent Stirton, who captured with his lens scenes from 100 countries around the world and conveyed details about African cultures, endangered animal species and the dangers surrounding wildlife.

American Elia Locardi is another one of the stellar names in the field of photography to take part. Throughout his travels to 65 countries, he has captured countless distinct moments in his lens. His work has won him many awards and nominations.

The third, British photographer Giles Duley, is known for documenting conflicts and wars around the world. During the event, he spoke about his photography journey, starting from his work as a fashion photographer to working on battlefields, which led to him losing both legs and an arm after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan.

Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said: “The organization of the International Festival of Photography honors every photographer who carries his camera to document an event, so that his image becomes the event itself. Every picture has a noble end.”

He added: “We wanted to say, through the images that were on display from everywhere, that we are bound by hope, and are confident of humankind's ability to overcome unprecedented challenges. When I saw the pictures, I felt as if they were saying that there's still beauty, splendor and life in the world.”

The festival included 54 exhibitions, 21 discussion sessions, 14 workshops presented by seven renowned international photographers, ten panel discussions and 14 technical evaluation sessions. The festival was held this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic with safety and prevention measures in place.



Saudi Arabia Sets World Record with Largest Food Cluster

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sets World Record with Largest Food Cluster

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA

Saudi Arabia has set a Guinness World Record for the largest food park in the world by area with the Jeddah Food Cluster, which spans over 11 million square meters and has set a new global benchmark.

Spanning 11 million square meters, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) announced ambitious plans for the cluster, targeting investments of up to SAR20 billion and creating 43,000 job opportunities by 2035. The cluster aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance food security, and support national exports.
Over the next decade, the Jeddah Food Cluster is projected to contribute SAR8 billion to national exports and add SAR7 billion to the GDP. MODON will achieve this by investing in advanced infrastructure, shared services, and innovative solutions.
By integrating services and optimizing supply chains, the cluster aims to reduce operational costs by 5-12%. This will not only benefit businesses but also contribute to strengthening national food security and self-sufficiency in essential commodities.