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Sheikh Zayed Book Award Announces Longlist for 'Translation' Category

SZBA's longlist for the ‘Translation’ category (WAM)
SZBA's longlist for the ‘Translation’ category (WAM)
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Sheikh Zayed Book Award Announces Longlist for 'Translation' Category

SZBA's longlist for the ‘Translation’ category (WAM)
SZBA's longlist for the ‘Translation’ category (WAM)

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi has announced the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, SZBA, longlist for the ‘Translation’ category, which welcomed 175 entries this year.

The Translation longlist for 2020/2021 contains nine titles translated from Arabic, English, French and Italian, representing the works of translators based in Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Italy and the USA, state news agency WAM reported.

The English language has the highest number of selections, with five books in total – one translated from Arabic into English and four translated from English into Arabic: Impostures by Al-Hariri and translated to English by Michael Cooperson from the USA; Arabic Thought Beyond the Liberal Age: Towards an Intellectual History of the Nahda by Jens Hanssen and Max Weiss, and translated by Dr. Fuad Abdulmuttaleb from Syria; A Secular Age by Charles Taylor and translated by Naoufel Haj Ltaief from Tunisia; Light from the East: How the Science of Medieval Islam helped to shape the Western World by John Freely and translated by Ahmed Fouad Basha from Egypt; andShould Robots Replace Teachers? A.I. and the Future of Education by Neil Selwyn and translated by Faisal Hakem Al-Shammari from Saudi Arabia.

The longlist features two books translated from French into Arabic: 'L’Art Islamique Approche sociologique de l’anonymat de l’artiste' by Shakir Luaybi and translated by Abdenbi Dakir from Morocco and 'Les philosophes et la science' by Pierre Wagner and translated by Dr. Youssef Tibesse from Morocco.

The longlist also includes a book translated from Italian into Arabic, and an Arabic book that was translated into Italian: 'La Colonia saracena di Lucera: e La sua distruzione' by Pietro Egidi and translated to Arabic by Ahmed Somai from Tunisia; and 'Ibn Haldun tra Alessandro e Cesare La Grecia e Roma nel Libro degli esempi' by Ibn Khaldun and translated to Italian by Marco Di Branco from Italy.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award will be revealing the longlists of the remaining categories over the coming weeks, commencing the second phase, when the panel of judges will evaluate the longlisted books.

The panel will then share its reports with the Scientific Committee, which will review the books and announce the shortlists to be evaluated by the Board of Trustees in order to select the winners.

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Culture

Spain Abolishes National Bullfighting Award in Cultural Shift

Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega fights the 528kg bull 'Vivaracho' bull during a bullfight in the Plaza Monumental of Aguascalientes, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 28 April 2024. EPA/Tadeo Alcina
Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega fights the 528kg bull 'Vivaracho' bull during a bullfight in the Plaza Monumental of Aguascalientes, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 28 April 2024. EPA/Tadeo Alcina
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Spain Abolishes National Bullfighting Award in Cultural Shift

Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega fights the 528kg bull 'Vivaracho' bull during a bullfight in the Plaza Monumental of Aguascalientes, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 28 April 2024. EPA/Tadeo Alcina
Spanish bullfighter Juan Ortega fights the 528kg bull 'Vivaracho' bull during a bullfight in the Plaza Monumental of Aguascalientes, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 28 April 2024. EPA/Tadeo Alcina

Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Spanish-style bullfighting, in which the animal usually ends up killed by a sword thrust by a matador in shining garb, is for supporters a cultural tradition to be preserved, while critics call it a cruel ritual with no place in modern society, Reuters reported.
The Culture Ministry said it based its decision to abolish the award on the "new social and cultural reality in Spain" where worries about animal welfare have risen while attendance at most bullrings has declined.
"I think that's the feeling of a majority of Spaniards who can understand less and less why animal torture is practiced in our country..., and much less why that torture gets awarded with public money," Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said on X.
The national award came in the form of a 30,000-euro ($32,217) government check and has been bestowed on famous bullfighters such as Julian Lopez, known as "El Juli", or cultural associations related to the bullfighting tradition.
It has recently become a defining issue in Spain's culture wars, pitting left-wing parties such as Sumar, to which Urtasun belongs, against right-wing conservatives who support the tradition.
Borja Semper, spokesperson for the opposition conservative People's Party, told reporters the government move showed that it "does not believe in cultural diversity or liberty", and that his party would reinstate the award whenever it regained power.
The PP leader of the Aragon region, Jorge Azcon, said it would introduce another award. "Tradition should be something that unites us rather than divides," he said.
Opposition to bullfighting has also grown in Latin America, where the tradition was exported in the 16th century, and in southern France, where it spread in the 19th century.
In Spain, the average bullfighting aficionado has gotten older and the number of bullfighting festivals dropped by a third between 2010 and 2023.

Culture

Parched Philippine Dam Reveals Centuries-Old Town, Luring Tourists

A drone view shows a centuries-old sunken town that reemerged amid extreme heat in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows a centuries-old sunken town that reemerged amid extreme heat in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
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Parched Philippine Dam Reveals Centuries-Old Town, Luring Tourists

A drone view shows a centuries-old sunken town that reemerged amid extreme heat in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows a centuries-old sunken town that reemerged amid extreme heat in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, May 2, 2024. (Reuters)

Ruins of a centuries-old town have emerged at a dam parched by drought in northern Philippines, giving residents a rare spectacle and an extra source of income in a region dependent on rice-growing.

Following a prolonged spell with little rain, the dried-up dam has revealed parts of a sunken church and foundations of old structures from the old town in Nueva Ecija province in recent weeks.

"When I heard about the sunken church of old Pantabangan town resurfacing, I got excited and wanted to see it," said 61-year-old retired nurse Aurea Delos Santos.

Some locals have cashed in on the attraction, ferrying tourists to the island. "Back then, I was only earning 200 pesos ($3.50) from fishing, but when the tourists arrived, I'm earning 1,500 to 1,800 per day," said fisherman Nelson Dellera.

The old town was relocated in the 1970s during the construction of a dam, which now serves as the main irrigation and water source for Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces, according to the local government.

The Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia have been grappling with extreme heat, prompting schools to suspend classes and governments to urge people to stay indoors to prevent heat stroke.

Culture

Looted Gold, Royal Treasures Go on Show Back Home in Ghana

Looted artifacts returned by British and American museums are displayed to the public for the first time at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, May 1, 2024. (Reuters)
Looted artifacts returned by British and American museums are displayed to the public for the first time at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, May 1, 2024. (Reuters)
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Looted Gold, Royal Treasures Go on Show Back Home in Ghana

Looted artifacts returned by British and American museums are displayed to the public for the first time at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, May 1, 2024. (Reuters)
Looted artifacts returned by British and American museums are displayed to the public for the first time at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, May 1, 2024. (Reuters)

Gold neck discs, a sword, a royal chair and dozens of other treasures looted during British colonial rule went on show in Ghana this week for the first time since their historic return.

People travelled from across the West African country to see the repatriated plunder in the city of Kumasi, the seat of Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, known as the Asantehene.

"The items that came back are virtually the soul of the people of Asante," the monarch said at the exhibition, which marks his silver jubilee.

The gold regalia was looted during Britain's 1821-1957 colonization of what is now Ghana, much of it taken during violent battles with the Asante kingdom and placed in museums.

London's British and Victoria & Albert museums, and the Fowler Museum at the University of California, sent the artefacts back earlier this year - part of a growing move by Western institutions to reexamine colonial legacies.

Negotiations to return the items took more than 50 years, the Asantehene said.

Other museums in the US and Europe have agreed to hand back treasures taken from the Kingdom of Benin in modern-day Nigeria and received requests for returns from other states across the continent, including Egypt and Ethiopia.

"Most of our things are not written, they are expressed in the art we see," documentary-maker Lawer Akunor said at the show.

"Bringing these (back) is bringing the history to whom it belongs."

Most of the 42 items on display at Kumasi's Manhyia Palace Museum were taken during five battles between the Asante Kingdom and Britain known as the Anglo-Asante wars. Many were pillaged directly from the Asante palace.

Some of Britain's main national museums are banned by law from handing over or disposing of the bulk of their collections. So 32 objects from the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) are in Ghana on loan.

"We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects. A history tainted by the scars of imperial conflict and colonialism," V&A Director Tristram Hunt said at the opening.

The V&A has loaned 17 items to the Manhyia museum for three years, with the possibility of another three-year renewal. Objects include a gold peace pipe and gold discs worn during royal ceremonies.

Sculptor Gabriel Bekoe said he was inspired by the display.

"Seeing them will help me know what I used to be and that will influence the ideas and concepts I build afterward," he said.

Culture

Senegal Tapestry Production Finds New Lease of Life

Senegalese tapestries adorn the walls of organizations the world over. JOHN WESSELS / AFP
Senegalese tapestries adorn the walls of organizations the world over. JOHN WESSELS / AFP
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Senegal Tapestry Production Finds New Lease of Life

Senegalese tapestries adorn the walls of organizations the world over. JOHN WESSELS / AFP
Senegalese tapestries adorn the walls of organizations the world over. JOHN WESSELS / AFP

After cutting away the loose woolen threads from his loom, 28-year-old Senegalese weaver Seydina Oumar Cisse turns the roll to watch the tapestry gradually take shape before his eyes.
Everything from the colors to the design is identical to the original work created by Senegalese artist Cheikh Diouf.
"It's very satisfying," Cisse said, seeing the result of six months' work for the first time.
Cisse is a weaver at the Senegalese manufacturers of decorative arts in the central city of Thies, a leading producer of high quality artistic goods on the African continent.
The establishment's creations adorn the walls of organizations the world over, from the UN headquarters in New York to the African Union in Addis Ababa, as well as the palaces of numerous heads of state.
Tapestry production in Thies was a flagship cultural policy of Senegal's first president, poet Leopold Sedar Senghor, with production now revitalized thanks to a broadening of operations and new partnerships, including with fashion giant Chanel.
The creations are "attracting renewed interest, driven locally by galleries with international stature and a resurgence of interest in textiles and tapestries" on the art market, said Coline Desportes, a researcher at the national institute of art history (INHA).
'Symbiosis of techniques'
Senghor established national tapestry production in Thies in 1966, six years after Senegal gained independence from France, with the goal of "creating a new art for a new nation".
While weaving techniques had previously proved popular in African clothing designs, the art of wall tapestries was little known in Senegal.
Two years before production got underway, four craftsmen headed to France for specialized training, with the new art form representing "the symbiosis of techniques imported from France and traditional culture," according to Senghor.
Over the years the former president's legacy has been kept alive, but not without difficulty.
The state reduced support after Senghor's departure and tapestries went out of fashion, leading production in Thies to almost disappear before orders picked up again in the 2000s.
In the weaving workshops, situated within the white and green walls of former army barracks, the weavers have no room for error.
Each meticulously follows the cardboard lines on their looms, using wool from Europe and cotton from Thies to trace their designs.
'Cultural powerhouse'
Not far away, a group of about 30 American school students listen to a talk given by the head of the cardboard workshop, where the models which guide the weaving process are produced.
The establishment now welcomes tourists and film crews onto the premises, evidencing its commitment to diversifying operations.
Fourteen rooms will soon be available for visitors, as well as an artists' residence, managing director Aloyse Diouf said.
"We want to turn the manufacturers into a cultural powerhouse, a link between art and tourism," he added, although government commissions remain essential to keeping production afloat.
"Tapestry is not necessarily linked to our history and has remained mainly elitist -- it is mainly the authorities who buy tapestries to contribute to Senegal's artistic influence," Diouf said.
"The ownership of this art form by the Senegalese is a long-term project that we are developing by inviting schools to visit the factories".
The establishment now also produces prayer rugs, batik and ceramics, which are slightly more affordable for the Senegalese than the wall tapestries, which cost 1.5 million CFA francs ($2,400) per square meter.

Culture

Paul Auster, US Author of The New York Trilogy, Dies Aged 77

US writer Paul Auster poses before a conference on literature at the Campus del Milán library, University of Oviedo, northern Spain October 19, 2006. (Reuters)
US writer Paul Auster poses before a conference on literature at the Campus del Milán library, University of Oviedo, northern Spain October 19, 2006. (Reuters)
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Paul Auster, US Author of The New York Trilogy, Dies Aged 77

US writer Paul Auster poses before a conference on literature at the Campus del Milán library, University of Oviedo, northern Spain October 19, 2006. (Reuters)
US writer Paul Auster poses before a conference on literature at the Campus del Milán library, University of Oviedo, northern Spain October 19, 2006. (Reuters)

US novelist and screenwriter Paul Auster died of complications from lung cancer at his home in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening aged 77, the New York Times reported, citing friend and author Jacki Lyden.

The New Jersey-born writer was known for a string of acclaimed works including "The New York Trilogy" and "The Book of Illusions".

"We are very sad to hear of the death of Booker Prize shortlistee Paul Auster, whose work touched readers and influenced writers all over the world, and whose generosity was felt in just as many quarters," the Booker Prizes posted on social media platform X.

The literary body shortlisted his book "4 3 2 1" for its award in 2017.

The author of more than 30 books, including poetry and memoirs, told Reuters in 2011 he liked to write by hand in notebooks and then produce the finished copy on a typewriter rather than a computer.

"I feel more alive when I'm working," he said.

"I am convinced that writing is a kind of illness. Who would want to spend his life sitting in a room, putting words on paper? It's a strange occupation. You got to have a great taste for solitude."

Culture

Saudi Arabia Launches Global AI Center for Arabic Language

“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Global AI Center for Arabic Language

“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)

Saudi Arabia has launched the world's first international center dedicated to enhancing the Arabic language using artificial intelligence (AI).

The center, known as the “Arabic Intelligence Center,” provides automated services and technical support for Arabic language processing.

It aims to strengthen Arabic in the digital realm, making it more competitive globally.

Operated by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language from Riyadh, the center encourages research and innovation in language computing while offering specialized expertise and data infrastructure for AI-driven Arabic language applications.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the Academy, highlighted that the newly established center is the world’s first specialized hub for automated Arabic language processing.

It aims to enrich Arabic content using AI and support research, applications, and capabilities in AI and Arabic language fields.

The center also contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” aiming for global leadership in this area.

Its vision is to advance the Arabic language using AI, while its mission focuses on providing comprehensive services to empower users to enhance Arabic language leadership locally and globally.

Moreover, the center is made up of five main labs, each with its own role.

The center provides various services like technical and linguistic advice on AI-driven Arabic language processing. It also hosts meetings, courses, and offers licenses for researchers.

It supports studies aligned with its goals and aids in data tagging for joint research. The center aims to connect modern tech with Arabic, preserve the language, establish global linguistic standards, and enhance AI in Arabic language processing, both locally and globally.

The center aims to set and implement standards and rules for automating Arabic language processing.

It wants to foster impactful research and innovations in this field using AI and develop useful applications.

Also, it aims to train people to global standards and localize knowledge in Arabic language processing. By doing so, it hopes to compete with other languages.

Culture

Saudi Culture Minister Meets with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met in Diriyah with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Séjournet. SPA
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met in Diriyah with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Séjournet. SPA
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Saudi Culture Minister Meets with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met in Diriyah with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Séjournet. SPA
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met in Diriyah with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Séjournet. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has met in Diriyah with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Séjournet.

Prince Badr praised the distinguished relations between Saudi Arabia and France, citing the existing work between the two countries in the cultural fields.

Monday’s meeting paid tribute to Saudi Arabia’s participation, represented by the Ministry of Culture, in the International Year of the Camelids march, which was organized on April 20 in Paris by the French Federation for the Development of Camels in France and Europe.

Also highlighted was the outcome of the recent meeting of the Saudi Culture Minister with French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati in which the most prominent areas of cooperation and cultural exchange between governmental and private institutions in both countries were highlighted.

Culture

Madinah Governor Inaugurates 12th Cultures and Peoples' Festival

Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the 12th edition of the Cultures and Peoples' Festival- SPA
Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the 12th edition of the Cultures and Peoples' Festival- SPA
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Madinah Governor Inaugurates 12th Cultures and Peoples' Festival

Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the 12th edition of the Cultures and Peoples' Festival- SPA
Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the 12th edition of the Cultures and Peoples' Festival- SPA

Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the 12th edition of the Cultures and Peoples' Festival, organized by the Islamic University in Madinah, which will be held until May 6.
The governor visited the pavilions of the participating countries and was briefed on the festival's goal of promoting communication, unity, and understanding among peoples. The festival, which also fosters teamwork and promotes Islamic values, nurtures dialogue, coexistence, and peace among nations, and enhances communication between university students and the local community.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Acting President of the Islamic University Dr. Hassan bin Abdulmunim Al-Oufi highlighted the fact that over 100,000 students from over 170 countries graduated from this university, and that they have played a crucial role in developing their societies and homelands.
Al-Oufi said that the festival brings together students from 95 countries, giving them a platform to showcase their cultures, customs, and traditions.
"The festival creates a harmonious and cooperative environment where the East and West unite on the university's premises," he said.
The festival covers an area of 7,000 square meters. Representatives of different countries present over 40 activities and events for families, children, and the community.
The Cultures and Peoples’ Festival is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors. Its wide range of events and activities includes celebrating Saudi Arabian coffee, Arabic poetry, cuisine, tea, and the Year of the Camel 2024. The festival also has entertainment, educational, and cultural corners that provide enriching experiences for visitors.

Culture

Saudi Arabia’s Museum of Contemporary Art Enriches Visitor Experience with Sound Resonance Series

The 'In the Night' exhibition, hosted by SAMoCA, presents the "Sound Resonance Series." SPA
The 'In the Night' exhibition, hosted by SAMoCA, presents the "Sound Resonance Series." SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s Museum of Contemporary Art Enriches Visitor Experience with Sound Resonance Series

The 'In the Night' exhibition, hosted by SAMoCA, presents the "Sound Resonance Series." SPA
The 'In the Night' exhibition, hosted by SAMoCA, presents the "Sound Resonance Series." SPA

The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) has launched a series of new exhibitions and services that enrich the experience of art lovers and members of the community at the JAX District of Diriyah.

The 'In the Night' exhibition, hosted by SAMoCA, presents the "Sound Resonance Series", a unique vocal experience that invites participants to explore a harmonious blend of artistic expression, stillness, creativity and inspiration through the tunes of more than 20 instruments. A solo session was held on April 28 and three more will be held on May 2, 9, and 16.

SAMoCA is the Kingdom's first contemporary art museum; it seeks to build bridges between local and international artists and offers them the opportunity to exchange knowledge, communicate and grow, contributing to shaping the future of contemporary art in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region.

Culture

Horses Show Off in Versailles, Keeping Royal Tradition Alive

The entrance to the royal stables, in Versailles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
The entrance to the royal stables, in Versailles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
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Horses Show Off in Versailles, Keeping Royal Tradition Alive

The entrance to the royal stables, in Versailles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
The entrance to the royal stables, in Versailles, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

The historic Versailles Palace Gardens will soon host the Paris Olympics equestrian sports.
Meanwhile, the select number of riders of the National Equestrian Academy handling the palace's famed royal stables continue to care for their beloved horses: Almost every day at dawn, they enjoy the quietness and splendor of grass lawns and woods of the park of the Versailles Palace, before thousands of visitors from across the world spread in.
The elite academy — founded by French horse trainer and impresario Bartabas who decided to revive the splendid building in 2003 — has only 12 riders. After years of hard work, they take part in a prestigious show at the Great Stables of Versailles every weekend to the delight of spectators, The Associated Press reported.
While the Academy is open to both genders, women form the majority of applicants.
“We are only women here now,” said one of those experienced riders, Fanny Lorré, gleefully smiling as she noted how big of a change it was from the once male-dominated world of equestrianism.
Lorré, 28, is known as an ‘ecuyères’ — the French word for squire or horse rider, and has a vast knowledge of the royal stables' history.
Commissioned by France's King Louis XIV, or Sun King, the stables were built between 1679 and 1682 opposite the palace’s main entrance. They once housed more than 2,000 horses during the 18th century. Now, the Academy’s riders train about 40 horses, notably including Lusitanos, a Portuguese breed known to be a favorite of Louis IV.
The Great Stables were built “just before the King arrived here in Versailles. He wanted very big and wonderful stables because he had a lot of horses,” Lorré said. “Horses at that time were very important in the court and in the everyday life.”
“They built it in only three years, which is quite amazing when you see how big the building is," she added. "And it was also a school for the people at that time (who wanted to) learn how to ride ... a little bit of philosophy, mathematic and everything so they can become the best person in the kingdom.”
Under the monarchy, horses were used by the royal family, its entourage and visitors to go hunting, show their equestrian skills and enjoy rides in the Versailles gardens. They were an essential part of the festivities and a symbol of the King's power.
After the French Revolution, in the 19th century, the army took over the stables, using them for its cavalry regiments until World War II. They were then used as a storage facility for the Versailles district's archives and later for horse carriages until Bartabas stepped in and formed the academy.
Its members are known for their contemporary take on equestrian art. They receive fencing, dancing and Japanese archery classes to help them hone skills used in their weekly shows.
As the Paris Games approach, the palace — which will host equestrian and modern pentathlon events during the July 26 - Aug. 11 — is starting to buzz with excitement.
The Academy members, though not participating in the games, are looking forward to seeing Olympic riders galloping in the gardens of the Versailles Palace, Lorré said.
"There’s a lot of historical meaning have those Olympics in the gardens," Academy rider Dounia Kazzoul, 26, noted, "because the King used to organize a lot of (theater) plays and shows in those gardens. So it’s really great to have that here!"
Grandstands, outdoor arenas and gallop tracks are now being set up for the Games across the park, where up to 40,000 people are expected to attend the cross-country part of the event. Olympic horses will be housed in temporary, air-conditioned facilities built close to the competition site.
The palace itself will remain open to the public during the Games. To coincide with the Olympics, it will be holding an exhibition dedicated to horses and equestrian civilization in Europe from July 2 July to November 3.
The National Equestrian Academy will continue to present its show at Versailles this summer until Aug. 7. Visitors can also discover the nearby Gallery of Coaches, which contains one of the largest collections of coaches in Europe.