'Unexpired Dreams'…Quiet Writing that Celebrates Meaning

'Unexpired Dreams'…Quiet Writing that Celebrates Meaning
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'Unexpired Dreams'…Quiet Writing that Celebrates Meaning

'Unexpired Dreams'…Quiet Writing that Celebrates Meaning

A new book entitled "Unexpired Dreams…Describing Us" by Moroccan author and journalist Abdul Aziz Kokas includes a number of articles of political-journalistic analysis in the form of opinion pieces. Most of these articles were published as editorials in weekly publications.

"Unexpired Dreams…Describing Us" has been released by "Al Nawras Publications."

Kokas has dedicated it to his readers with whom he shared "the dream". In the first chapter of his new book, the author writes: "I was meant to write in the cursed newspapers instead of the blessed ones. These writings reflect this direction, which has never been a choice, but a moral journalistic commitment that embraces the dreams of an ambitious, motivated generation seeking freedom, justice, and democracy".

Kokas spoke about a "thread of organized positions and causes that preoccupy the public," stressing that publishing these articles today is not a heroic move that seeks praise".

Speaking about the book, Mohammad al-Sassy, a politician and researcher, said: "Kokas is a creative writer, not just a journalist. He has practiced journalism with a creative style. He is a good writer, smart journalist, funny, wise, enlightened, good listener, politically educated, always present in his writings and analyses that provid a great reference for politicians who want to understand the proceedings of the political life".

"When you read Kokas's writings, you notice a mix of creativity and critical observation of news, and fact analysis", al-Sassy said.

For his part, Writer Abdul Kader al-Shawi said: "Kokas doesn't rush events, but observes and analyzes them. His book is characterized with a quiet writing style that celebrates the meaning more than the appearance, and the content more than positions and conditions".

Critic Zahra al-A'sly saw that "Kokas has always been ornery. His journalistic writings have always reached a critical level because he has insisted on defending the values of freedom and democracy. His writings provide a mix of pleasure and utility".

"Unexpired Dreams…Describing Us" includes 50 articles and many titles to which Kokas added many popular proverbs, and quotes of politicians, authors, and intellects.

In one of his articles about the Moroccan people, he used a quote by William Shakespeare: "Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once".

He also used another quote by Mahmoud Darwish: "If we want to. We will become a people, if we want to, when we learn that we are not angels, and that evil is not the prerogative of others. We will become a people when we respect the right, and the wrong!"

According to Kokas, the texts featured in his new book were written between 1996 and 2002, and will be released in successive parts. The author said he didn't select them based on their chronology or topics, but chose what is still applicable among them, so the reader feels like "they were written today".

In an article entitled "Paper cats", Kokas connects the analysis to an unexpired dream, and writes: "We miss this decisive moment that needs noble statesmen. We miss the strategic spirit of Abdul Rahim Bou Abid, and the Sufi spirit of A'lal al-Fassi, the impulsiveness of Mahdi Bin Baraka, and the national spirit of al-Yusufi. With those names, we felt that politics is a mass identity. Those and many others like them prioritized the future and interests of Morocco far from the greediness of political groups. They headed parties and acted like statesmen with independent ideas, and a wise anticipative vision."



UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
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UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA

The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of regional and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in historic Al-Hofuf.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the Bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families, SPA reported.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO's participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the Bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.


Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
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Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, have toured the National Museum of Damascus during the Kingdom’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The ministers observed on Thursday the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art.

A particular focus was placed on the Arab-Islamic wing, featuring significant artifacts from the Umayyad period.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.


Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair
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Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Culture Minister Inaugurates Kingdom's Pavilion as Guest of Honor at Damascus Book Fair

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who is the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission Board Chairman, has inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The inauguration took place on Thursday in the Syrian capital in the presence of Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.

Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission Chief Executive Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Wasil affirmed that the Kingdom's presence as guest of honor at the fair reflects its leading role in the Arab cultural landscape and embodies its belief in the role of culture as a bridge for communication, a space for dialogue, and a tool for supporting joint cultural initiatives.

He explained that the Kingdom's presence in Damascus affirms the depth of Saudi-Syrian relations, based on partnership and mutual respect, and stems from the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening cultural exchange.

The Kingdom's pavilion showcases the cultural and creative diversity of the Saudi cultural and literary scene through a comprehensive cultural program that includes intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscripts exhibition, a Saudi fashion corner, a hospitality corner, and a corner displaying archaeological replicas, in addition to Saudi performing arts performances that express the depth of the Kingdom's cultural heritage.

The pavilion offers visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to explore aspects of Saudi culture in its literary, heritage, and human dimensions within a cultural experience presented in a unifying Arab spirit, affirming that culture remains one of the most effective means of fostering understanding and building shared meaning.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met on Thursday with Prince Badr at the Conference Palace in Damascus.

The meeting was attended on the Saudi side by Advisor at the Royal Court Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, along with other officials.