Merit Culture Magazine: Egyptian Woman's Struggle, Huda Shaarawi as Example

Merit Culture Magazine: Egyptian Woman's Struggle, Huda Shaarawi as Example
TT

Merit Culture Magazine: Egyptian Woman's Struggle, Huda Shaarawi as Example

Merit Culture Magazine: Egyptian Woman's Struggle, Huda Shaarawi as Example

The 64th issue of the Merit Culture Magazine (October issue) dedicates a cultural section titled a “Woman Fight for her Rights - Huda Shaarawi as an Example” including six articles: “Woman’s role in global development movement”, a lecture addressed by Shaarawi, head of the Egyptian Women Union at the time, at the American University of Cairo, on November 12, 1929; “Memoirs of Huda Shaarawi and beginnings of feminist renaissance” by Dr. Nadia Hanawi (Iraq); “From Mashrabiya to Court” by Dr. Ikram Badawi; “Huda Shaarawi…between social work and political struggle” by Dr. Asmaa Badawi; “How did Huda Shaarawi come out from ‘Harem Era’ and ‘uncovered her face’?” by researcher Samar Lashin; “Arabic feminism: influencing models and contemporary problematics” by journalist Mariana Sami.

The “Critical Views” section features six articles including “Lady Chatterley's Lover… Guardians of the Lord and Literature Inquisitions” by Dr. Mamdouh Farraj al-Nabi; “Social transformation in Jabbour Douaihy’s The American Quarter” by Dr. Huda Ali Eid (Lebanon); “In days of bright sun” by Miral al-Tahawi, in which she exposes laws and customs that subdue women; “Cultural criticism experience of Iraqi critic Fadel Abboud al-Tamimi” by Dr. Tarek Bouhala (Algeria); “Comparative Literature Studies in Moroccan Universities” by Abadati Boushaab (Morocco); “Storytelling romance in Ibtihal al-Shayeb’s ‘Familiar’ collection” by Shawky Abdul Hamid Yahya.

The “Poetry” section includes 11 poems by Ibrahim Daoud, Mahmoud Qarni, Al Sammah Abdullah, Atef Abdulaziz, Karim Abdul Salam, Hana al-Ghunaimi (Egypt), Naseer al-Sheikh (Iraq), Leila Bare’ (Morocco), Salim al-Naffar (Palestine), and Aisha al-Maghrebi (Libyan based in Paris).

The “Story” section offers stories by Al Sayed Najm, Hossam al-Mukadem, Salah Matar, Hassan al-Judi (Syria), Sanaa Shaalan (Jordan), Saad al-Nazzal (Iraq), and Sondos Abdelkader Midi (Libya).

This issue’s “Noun al-Neswa” section discusses the “Truce Nights- Pain Clashes” released by Merit Publishing House in 2020, by Egyptian novelist Mona al-Assassi, in addition to four articles.

The “Speech Innovation” section features three articles: “Views in Literary Quranic Studies” by Mohammed Yassine; “What are the historic roots of some legislations, worships in Islam” by Aya Kotob; “Sufism… understanding of heaven and hell” by Hala Ismat.

The “Around the World” section includes two translations: Asmaa Moussa Othman translated two stories by Italian novelist Andrina Christa, “Eternal Wedding” and “Renata”; and Hussein Sunbuli (Syria) translated the “Disappointment”, a novel by German novelist Thomas Man.

The “Cultures and Arts” section includes an interview by Samir Darwish with Egyptian storyteller and novelist Tarek Imam in which he admits that “Marquise is my favorite and most inspiring novelist, but I believe that Dostoevsky and Kazantzakis top the list of best novelists in history.” The “Personal View” section features “Texts against the official literary current,” an article by Dr. Faisal al-Ahmar (Algeria). The October issue of Merit includes many more articles

like Heidi Ammar’s “Philosophic Quartet in Egyptian Cinema” in the “Cinema” section; “The Codex Sinaiticus” by Dr. Majed Izzat Israel in the “Manuscript” section; “Art Treatment between Imagination and Reality” by Mina Nassef in the “Theater” section; “Eves of Apple” by Dr. Usama al-Hammoud (Syria), and “Women of Sultan Harem in the ‘Pasha’s Daughter” novel” by Khadija Masrouq (Alegria) in the “Books” section.

The cover and graphics in the “Creativity and Creatives” section are made by Syrian artists Ola al-Ayoubi, while graphics in “Noun al-Neswa” are signed by Egyptian artist Najat Farouq, and the photographs on the covers of each section and the back cover are presented by Yemeni photographer Abdullah al-Jaradi.

Merit Culture’s editorial board is composed of publishing manager Mohammed Hashem, editor-in-chief Samir Darwish, assistant editor-in-chief Adel Samih, managing editor Sara al-Iskafi. The primary maquette is gifted by Ahmed al-Loubad.



Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)
An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)
An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)

As South Korea's global cultural influence expands in areas such as music, film and television, one form of entertainment struggling to attract attention even at home is Korea's traditional style of wrestling, known as ssireum.

Ssireum - pronounced like "see room" - had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s, when there were as many as eight professional teams and the top wrestlers became household names. Since then, it has been squeezed by tighter budgets and a public quick to move on to new trends.

Twenty-year-old Lee Eun-soo, who began training at the age ‌of nine, is ‌taking part in this year's Lunar New Year ‌tournament, ⁠the showcase event ⁠for the more than 1,500-year-old sport.

Lee lamented that at his former high school, the ssireum team currently has no members and there is talk of disbanding it.

"I once tried to imagine my life if I hadn’t done ssireum," Lee said. "I don’t think I could live without it."

A ssireum match involves two wrestlers facing off in an ⁠eight-meter (26.25 ft) sandpit ring, gripping each other by a ‌cloth belt called a "satba" and using ‌strength, balance, timing and stamina to force the opponent to the ground.

Ssireum ‌was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage ‌of Humanity in 2018, but that international recognition has not translated into commercial success. Its relative obscurity contrasts with the high profile of Japan's sumo, another centuries-old form of wrestling.

Unlike sumo, which is supported by ‌a centralized professional ranking system and six major annual tournaments - or Olympic wrestling, with its global reach - ⁠ssireum remains ⁠largely domestic.

"Sport is something people won't come to watch if they don’t know the wrestlers or even the sport itself," said Lee Tae-hyun, a former ssireum wrestler and Professor of Martial Arts at Yong In University, who has promoted the sport overseas and believes it has commercial potential with the right backing.

Lee Hye-soo, 25, a spectator at the Lunar New Year tournament, said many Koreans are now unfamiliar with ssireum.

"My grandfather liked watching ssireum, so I watched it with him a lot when I was young," she said.

"I like it now too, but I think it would be even better if it became more famous."


Saudi Arabia Concludes Guest of Honor Role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia Concludes Guest of Honor Role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA
The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission concluded the Kingdom’s Guest of Honor participation at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, held in the Syrian capital from February 6 to 16, drawing strong attendance and engagement from visitors and cultural enthusiasts.

The Kingdom's pavilion was highly praised for its rich cultural content and high-quality programs, reflecting the vitality and growth of the Kingdom’s literary and cultural scene, SPA reported.

Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif Abdulaziz Al-Wasel stated that the Kingdom’s role as Guest of Honor at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, represented by a high-level cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, highlights the depth of Saudi-Syrian cultural relations based on partnership and mutual respect.

He noted that the participation demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing cultural exchange, a key objective of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. Through this strategy, the commission emphasizes fostering constructive dialogue among peoples, exchanging knowledge and expertise, and consolidating the Kingdom’s active role in the Arab and international cultural landscape.

The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities. It showcased the commission’s programs and initiatives in literature, publishing, and translation, and featured a comprehensive cultural program, including literary seminars, cultural discussions, and poetry evenings with prominent Saudi writers and intellectuals.

These efforts enriched cultural dialogue with fair visitors and strengthened the presence of Saudi literature in the Arab cultural scene.

This edition of the Damascus International Book Fair marks a significant cultural milestone, reaffirming the value of books as carriers of meaning, spaces for dialogue, and starting points for a cultural journey that reflects the aspirations of the Arab cultural landscape toward a more open and aware phase.


Qiddiya City Begins Construction of Landmark Performing Arts Center

The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center supports the city’s positioning as a destination for creativity and cultural expression - SPA
TT

Qiddiya City Begins Construction of Landmark Performing Arts Center

The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center supports the city’s positioning as a destination for creativity and cultural expression - SPA

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the commencement of construction works for the Performing Arts Center in Qiddiya City, marking an important milestone in the development of Qiddiya City as a destination for entertainment, sports and culture.

The announcement coincided with the laying of the foundation stone, signaling the start of construction works to be carried out by Nesma and Partners.

During the ceremony, held at the project site perched on the edge of the Tuwaiq Mountains, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah Aldawood delivered a speech announcing the official start of construction. He highlighted the importance of the project as a transformative addition that strengthens Qiddiya City’s cultural offering.

The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center supports the city’s positioning as a destination for creativity and cultural expression, while contributing to the development of local talent and attracting international artistic experiences.

The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center has been designed by Tom Wiscombe Architecture, in collaboration with BSBG, and features a futuristic architectural style defined by monumental forms. The design comprises interlocking architectural panels and five illuminated blades that blend harmoniously with the desert landscape, forming a prominent cultural landmark within Qiddiya City.

The start of construction follows the launch of the first phase of Qiddiya City in December 2025, which included the opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City. It’s part of the company’s broader approach to developing integrated destinations that enhance quality of life and deliver distinctive experiences across entertainment, sports and culture.