Sixth Edition of Cairo Int’l Forum for Arabic Calligraphy Celebrates the Pioneers

Artwork by Mohammed Al-Arabi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Artwork by Mohammed Al-Arabi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Sixth Edition of Cairo Int’l Forum for Arabic Calligraphy Celebrates the Pioneers

Artwork by Mohammed Al-Arabi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Artwork by Mohammed Al-Arabi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The sixth edition of the Cairo International Forum for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy is celebrating pioneers in the field.

These pioneers have laid the technical foundations of this art form in several Arab and foreign countries.

“Teach by the Pen” is organized by the Cultural Development Fund of the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Egyptian Association for Arabic Calligraphy, the Fine Arts Sector and the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector.

Held at the Palace of Arts, it will run from June 1-7.

At total of 153 artists from 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, China, Indonesia, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Tanzania, Lebanon and Egypt will participate in the forum. This year’s event will feature workshops, scientific seminars, documentaries and art exhibitions.

The forum bears the name of the great Arabic calligrapher Yusuf Ahmed, who is considered among the pioneers of Kufic calligraphy in the modern era.

A documentary film dedicated to his lifelong contributions to calligraphy will be screened, and his paintings will be exhibited. The forum will also honor Emirati calligrapher Fatima Al-Baqali, Jordanian calligrapher Ibrahim Abu Touq and Egyptian artists Ahmed Al-Masry and Mustafa Al-Omari.



Barcelona’s Feline Mascot ‘Cat’ Makes Its Debut at Home Game

 Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
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Barcelona’s Feline Mascot ‘Cat’ Makes Its Debut at Home Game

 Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)
Barcelona's new mascot "Cat" makes an appearance before the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on November 30, 2024. (AFP)

Barcelona’s new mascot, a large yellow feline named “Cat,” has made its debut as part of the Spanish club’s 125th anniversary.

The mascot cavorted on the field at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium before Barcelona hosted Las Palmas in a Spanish league game Saturday. The visitors won 2-1.

It wears Barcelona’s burgundy and blue shirt and shorts, and its mouth opens to reveal the same soccer ball icon found on the club’s emblem.

The name plays on Barcelona’s standing as the leading club in Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia. The four red stripes on its forehead, the club said, refer to the Catalan regional flag.

“Cat” was unveiled Friday at an anniversary gala.

The club describes the mascot as a “friendly, positive puss that is especially passionate about football, but also embraces all sports that are part of FC Barcelona’s multi-sport ethos, whether male or female, pro or amateur.”

In addition to its champion women's soccer team, Barcelona competes in other sports, including basketball, handball, indoor soccer, and roller hockey.

A previous mascot, “Clam,” was created for the club's 100th anniversary.