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King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Digital Govt. Dictionary

King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Digital Govt. Dictionary
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King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Digital Govt. Dictionary

King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language Launches Digital Govt. Dictionary

The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, in cooperation with the Digital Government Authority (DGA), is launching the dictionary of "e-government terminology" in Arabic.
The lexicon aims at unifying the concepts of digital government terminology and to avoid their differences and confusion in their translations and ensure the consistency of their use by providing a unified reliable reference for government agencies, researchers, and those interested in the field of digital government.
The Secretary-General of King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, voiced appreciation for the support of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and the chairman of the board of trustees of the academy in launching the dictionary.

He also thanked DGA Governor Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Soyyan for his efforts to activate cooperation among public agencies and produce the high-quality lexicon.
The dictionary includes the most important terms used in e-government according to what is stated in the rules and regulations related to digital government and the regulations issued by the DGA, with an interactive digital version to facilitate its use. The lexicon is arranged in alphabetical order in Arabic and English, in addition to displaying other related documents.
Among the expected outcomes of the dictionary are reducing confusion and misunderstanding of terms related to digital government, enhancing clarity and accuracy in communication, and accelerating the pace of digital transformation in the Kingdom.

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Culture

‘Al-Mansur’ Bust Divides Iraq

A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
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‘Al-Mansur’ Bust Divides Iraq

A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)
A crane lifts the bust of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur from the site of an explosion that targeted it in 2005 (AFP)

Iraq is debating whether to remove a statue of the Abbasid Caliph Abu Jafar Al-Mansur in central Baghdad. Some argue it’s a cherished symbol, while others say it’s divisive between Shiite and Sunni communities.

Calls to remove the statue coincide with Shiite attempts to make “Eid al-Ghadir” a national holiday, opposed by Sunni parties.

The proposal caused a rift in parliament, with Shiite and Sunni deputies disagreeing on its inclusion without consultation.

The statue of Abu Jafar Al-Mansur was unveiled in Baghdad’s Al-Karkh district in 1977. Created by Iraqi artist Khalid Al-Rahal, it has become a subject of debate over whether it should stay or go.

Calls for its removal have surfaced before, but protection measures were taken, and the voices demanding its removal faded.

However, in 2005, the statue was bombed, attributed to “unknown militants.” It was moved for safety and returned in 2008 during improved security.

Recently, analysts close to the “Coordination Framework” coalition claim the statue angers many Iraqis and argue for its removal.

Public rejection of the proposal has been strong on social media. Iraqi police have deployed around the monument, as seen in widely shared images.

Yet, social media has also seen a resurgence of sectarian tensions, highlighting divisions among Iraq’s communities.

Government representatives have firmly opposed any disrespect towards the statue, emphasizing its importance in Baghdad’s cultural heritage.

“The statue must remain in its place without any form of disrespect or infringement,” Fadel Al-Badrani of the Ministry of Culture told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Badrani highlighted the statue’s significance, noting its role as a symbol cherished by Iraqis and admirers of Baghdad’s history and heritage.

Critics have labeled calls for its removal as “sectarian talk,” reflecting a lack of seriousness in Iraq’s political landscape.

Culture

UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
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UAE Culture Ministry Partners with Publishing Entities to Support Grant Program

The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM
The UAE's Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with four publishing entities to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. WAM

The Ministry of Culture has announced its collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation, Kalimat Group, Fiker Institute and Magrudy Enterprises to empower and support creators within the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, launched by the Ministry last year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

“The initiative aligns with the UAE's commitment to developing and sustaining its cultural and creative sectors, and to capitalize on investment opportunities in creators who play a pivotal role in building a sustainable creative economy for future generations,” WAM said.

“Under these agreements, the four leading and prestigious entities in the field of literature will work to increase the impact of the program by creating opportunities to support its beneficiaries and introduce their work on local and international platforms within the cultural and creative industries sector, thus achieving sustainable impact,” the news agency added.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi stressed the importance of signing partnership agreements with authorship and publishing institutions.

He said the agreements facilitate the exchange of expertise, enable access to specialists' experience, support the sector's growth sustainably, empower talented writers, including those with unique perspectives and distinguished literary works, and inspire them to pursue further creativity and innovation.

This will support the cultural movement and scene in the UAE and achieve its goals and strategies in spreading knowledge and culture and empowering creators with all tools and means, he added.

Culture

Bronze Age Gold Stolen During British Museum Break-in

The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
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Bronze Age Gold Stolen During British Museum Break-in

The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council
The gold bracelet is about 3,000 years old and was found in 2011 in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist. Photo: Cambridgeshire County Council

Curators are "devastated" after gold objects dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age were stolen from a museum in Britain, BBC reported.

A gold torc and a gold bracelet were stolen during a break-in at Ely Museum on Tuesday.

The museum acquired the torc, valued at £220,000, in 2017 using grants and donations and it said the loss was a "huge blow,” BBC said.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was looking for two suspects on e-scooters who were believed to be involved in the burglary.

"We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region,” said Elie Hughes, a museum curator.

"It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017.

"As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replaced. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects."

Both items were found in East Cambridgeshire by metal detectorists, BBC said.

Culture

Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Buraydah will join 70 other creative cities worldwide at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2024, held in Thailand from May 9th to 12th. Through its participation, Buraydah aims to strengthen its global presence and programs as a creative city within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

Secretary General of Qassim Chamber Mohammad Al-Hanaya stated that Buraydah's participation in the conference is part of the file plan of Buraydah Creative City, supported and organized by the chamber.

The Qassim Chamber, in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, is responsible for managing and implementing the technical aspects of this file. Buraydah Creative City is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in gastronomy, SPA reporte.
Al-Hanaya highlighted the commitment of the Saudi leadership to ensuring the Kingdom's active and influential presence in international events across various fields, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Executive Liaison Officer for Buraydah Creative City at UNESCO Sulaiman Al-Geffari stated that the city's participation in the conference in Phuket, Thailand, aims to achieve the objectives of joining the Creative Cities Network.

Buraydah will be among more than 70 creative cities in the field of gastronomy from different countries at the conference, with the presence of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, Al-Geffari added.
The city seeks to enhance cooperation among member cities, exchange experiences and initiatives, showcase best practices, and explore avenues for developing enhanced elements of creativity and innovation for sustainable urban development, Al-Geffari stated.

Furthermore, Buraydah aims to foster partnerships between gastronomy cities within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network during the conference.

In 2021, Buraydah became a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, making it the first Gulf city and the second Arab city to join the network.

Culture

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative
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Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

Culinary Arts Commission to Hold 2nd Edition of 'Our Culinary Legacy' Initiative

The Culinary Arts Commission said the second edition of "Our Culinary Legacy" initiative, which aims to preserve and share Saudi recipes to enrich the local cuisine and preserve the cultural heritage, will be held in July.
The commission aims to create a comprehensive database of digital or printed Saudi recipes.
Following the success of the first edition, which resulted in the publication of the award-winning book "Sufra, Saudi Feast", which earned the Gourmand award in the "Best Hospitality" and "Best Arab Cuisine Cookbook" categories, the commission is now focusing on documenting more traditional Saudi recipes. The spotlight will be on seafood and vegetarian dishes, with recipes available in two new books: "Sufra: Seafood" and "Sufra: Vegetarian Cuisine".
The choice of seafood dishes stems from Saudi Arabia's coastal location, on the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, which teem with a variety of marine life, according to SPA.

Coastal communities have developed unique culinary traditions using seafood. Through drying, refrigerating, or other preservation methods, coastal flavors and cooking styles have spread throughout the Kingdom, leading to acknowledging the delightful Saudi seafood dishes.
At the same time, the commission acknowledges the Kingdom's abundant indigenous plant-based dishes prepared in different regions and highlighting the bounty of local produce.

Culture

Heritage Commission Signs MoU with University of York

The agreement is part of the commission's endeavor to constantly expand archaeological survey and excavation work in Saudi Arabia - SPA
The agreement is part of the commission's endeavor to constantly expand archaeological survey and excavation work in Saudi Arabia - SPA
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Heritage Commission Signs MoU with University of York

The agreement is part of the commission's endeavor to constantly expand archaeological survey and excavation work in Saudi Arabia - SPA
The agreement is part of the commission's endeavor to constantly expand archaeological survey and excavation work in Saudi Arabia - SPA

The Heritage Commission signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the University of York entailing archaeological surveys of prehistoric sites on the Farasan Islands, in Jazan Region, as well as on the Red Sea coast in the southwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The agreement helps increase cooperation and the exchange of expertise between the two entities, and stimulates cooperation in preparing periodic reports and scientific studies.
Director General of Archeological Researches and Studies at the Heritage Commission Dr. Abdullah Al-Zahrani signed the agreement on behalf of the commission, while Dr. Jeff Bly, the scientific project manager at the archaeological site, signed it on behalf of the University of York. Commission CEO Dr. Jasser Al-Harbash attended the signing ceremony, SPA reported.
The agreement is part of the commission's endeavor to constantly expand archaeological survey and excavation work in Saudi Arabia by expanding partnerships with international universities and scientific centers specialized in the field of heritage.

Culture

Saudi Arabia to Launch Int’l Conference on Arabic Language Education in Seoul

The conference is titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature”
The conference is titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature”
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Saudi Arabia to Launch Int’l Conference on Arabic Language Education in Seoul

The conference is titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature”
The conference is titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature”

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language is partnering with the Korean Association of Arabic Language and Literature and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies to host an international conference in Seoul, South Korea.

The conference is titled “Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature.”

The aim is to improve Arabic language education worldwide, keeping it up-to-date with modern trends.

The conference will focus on six key areas related to teaching Arabic as a second language in South Korea: modern methodologies, teaching materials, evaluation techniques, instructional strategies, and the current state of Arabic-language learning in South Korea.

It’s a chance for experts and educators from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and beyond to share insights.

This collaboration highlights the importance of these institutions in promoting Arabic language education and Arab culture in South Korea.

By organizing this conference, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language reinforces its role in supporting the Arabic language globally and fostering collaboration with international partners to enhance its teaching and preservation.

Culture

Ode to Joy: How Austria Shaped Beethoven's Ninth

A picture of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the gift shop of the Beethoven House museum in Baden near Vienna where he spent his summers. Joe Klamar / AFP
A picture of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the gift shop of the Beethoven House museum in Baden near Vienna where he spent his summers. Joe Klamar / AFP
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Ode to Joy: How Austria Shaped Beethoven's Ninth

A picture of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the gift shop of the Beethoven House museum in Baden near Vienna where he spent his summers. Joe Klamar / AFP
A picture of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the gift shop of the Beethoven House museum in Baden near Vienna where he spent his summers. Joe Klamar / AFP

The night Ludwig van Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony rang out in a Vienna concert hall for the first time almost exactly two centuries ago, the great German composer was anxious for all to go well.
He needn't have worried. The audience erupted in spontaneous applause during the performance, but Beethoven was already so hard of hearing that he had to be turned around by a musician to notice it, AFP said.
While he was born in Bonn in 1770, Beethoven spent most of his life in Vienna after moving to the Austrian capital as a 22-year-old.
Despite receiving repeated offers to relocate, the legendary composer never left Vienna, where he had found his home from home, surrounded by supportive fans and generous patrons.
"It was the society, the culture that characterized the city that appealed to him so much," said Ulrike Scholda, director of the Beethoven House in nearby Baden.
The picturesque spa town just outside Vienna deeply shaped Beethoven's life -- and the last symphony he would complete, she said.
Under pressure
"In the 1820s, Baden was certainly the place to be", with the imperial family, the aristocracy and a Who's Who of cultural life spending their summers there, Scholda said.
Beyond his hearing loss, Beethoven suffered from various health problems ranging from abdominal pains to jaundice, and regularly went to Baden to recuperate.
Enjoying long walks in the countryside and bathing in Baden's medicinal springs helped him recover, while simultaneously inspiring his compositions.
In the summers leading up to the first public performance of his Ninth Symphony in 1824, Beethoven stayed at what is now known as Baden's Beethoven House, which now serves as a museum.
It was there that he also composed important parts of his final symphony.
A letter Beethoven sent from Baden in September 1823 details the pressure he felt to finalize the symphony to please the Philharmonic Society in London which had commissioned the work, Scholda said.
'Less war, more Beethoven'
Upon completing the symphony in Vienna, weeks of intense preparations followed, including an army of copyists duplicating Beethoven's manuscripts and last-minute rehearsals that culminated in the premiere on May 7, 1824.
The night before, Beethoven rushed from door to door by carriage to "personally invite important people to come to his concert", said historical musicologist Birgit Lodes.
He also managed to "squeeze in a haircut", Lodes added.
At almost double the length of comparable works, Beethoven's Ninth broke the norms of what until then was a "solely orchestral" genre by "integrating the human voice and thus text", musicologist Beate Angelika Kraus told AFP.
His revolutionary idea to incorporate parts of Friedrich von Schiller's lyrical verse "Ode to Joy" paradoxically made his symphony more susceptible to misuse, including by the Nazis and the Communists.
The verses "convey a feeling of togetherness, but are relatively open in terms of ideological (interpretation)," Kraus said.
Since 1985, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from the fourth movement has served as the European Union's official anthem.
Outside the Beethoven House in Baden, which is marking the anniversary with a special exhibition, visitor Jochen Hallof said that encountering the Ninth Symphony as a child had led him down a "path of humanism".
"We should listen to Beethoven more instead of waging war," Hallof said.
And on Tuesday night that certainly will be the case, with Beethoven's masterpiece reverberating throughout Europe with anniversary concerts in major venues in Paris, Milan and Vienna.

Culture

Celebrating Excellence in Journalism and the Arts, Pulitzer Prizes to Be Awarded Monday

File- Signage for The Pulitzer Prizes appear at Columbia University, May 28, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebto Matthews, File)
File- Signage for The Pulitzer Prizes appear at Columbia University, May 28, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebto Matthews, File)
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Celebrating Excellence in Journalism and the Arts, Pulitzer Prizes to Be Awarded Monday

File- Signage for The Pulitzer Prizes appear at Columbia University, May 28, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebto Matthews, File)
File- Signage for The Pulitzer Prizes appear at Columbia University, May 28, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebto Matthews, File)

The Pulitzer Prizes are set to be announced on Monday, traditionally the most anticipated day of the year for those hoping to earn print journalism's most prestigious honor.
Along with honoring winners and finalists in 15 journalism categories, the Pulitzer Board also recognizes distinguished work in areas including books, music and theater. The awards, which will honor work from 2023, are scheduled to be announced via livestream at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
While forecasting potential winners is a guessing game, the Pulitzers often go to coverage of the year's biggest stories. In this case, the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza is a possibility and may engender controversy.
With the Committee to Protect Journalists estimating at least 97 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, many observers will be interested to see if the Pulitzers recognize work by Palestinian reporters.
The prizes are administered by Columbia University in New York, which itself has been in the news for student demonstrations against the war in Gaza. The Pulitzer board met away from Columbia this past weekend to deliberate on its winners.
The board issued a statement Thursday saluting student journalists at Columbia and other universities across the country for their work covering the campus demonstrations.
For the first time, the Pulitzers opened eligibility to broadcast and audio companies that also operate digital news sites, such as CNN, NPR and the broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC. The work must be primarily in digital journalism, however.
The Columbia Journalism School also administers the duPont-Columbia Awards, which recognize audio and visual journalism and are presented in the winter.
The Pulitzers give out cash awards and a medal for its prestigious public service prize, won last year by The Associated Press for its coverage of the Russian siege of Mariupol in Ukraine.
The Pulitzers also announced that five of the 45 finalists this year used artificial intelligence in research and reporting of their submissions. It was the first time the board required applicants for the award to disclose use of AI.
The prizes were established in the will of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and first awarded in 1917.

Culture

Saudi Arabia: Farasan Islands Host 20th Hareed Festival in Celebration of Culture

This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: Farasan Islands Host 20th Hareed Festival in Celebration of Culture

This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA
This vibrant annual event celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters. SPA

The Farasan Islands, a string of coral islands nestled 40 kilometers off the coast of Jizan in the Red Sea, are abuzz with activity as they host the 20th edition of the Hareed (parrotfish) Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.
This vibrant annual event, held in late April and early May, celebrates the arrival of parrotfish in the islands' shallow waters, SPA said.
For generations, the Farasan people have cherished this natural phenomenon, transforming it into a social gathering that goes beyond the fish. The festival showcases the islands' unique customs, traditions, folk games, and handicrafts. It also throws a spotlight on Farasan's remarkable tourism potential and historical sites.
Festival visitors may have a glimpse at the islands' rich cultural heritage. One of the highlights is "Al-Dana", a captivating form of vocal art that is one of Farasan's oldest folk traditions. It is a poignant expression of longing that arose from the hardships endured by sailors on extended pearl-diving expeditions. The challenges faced by these brave men fueled this art form, which is deeply rooted in Farasan's cultural identity, SPA said.
The festival also provides a platform for Farasan residents to showcase their traditional handicrafts. Visitors get to see the production of fishing traps and nets, the intricate weaving of palm fronds, the creation of bags and rugs, and the art of hat knitting.
A dedicated area at the Hareed fishing site caters to families and children; there, participants can experience the thrill of catching parrotfish using a traditional method that involves setting up barriers to prevent the fish from escaping. This competition, a centuries-old tradition, allows families to connect with the island's fishing heritage.
Just five kilometers from Farasan Grand Island lies Al-Qassar Village, a captivating destination that draws many visitors. This heritage village, built with stone and palm leaves, boasts the largest palm oasis in the archipelago. Al-Qassar served as a summer retreat for Farasan residents, who would travel by camel to spend a three-month getaway during the season of Al-Asef, the northwestern summer wind that comes after the Hareed fishing season.
Famous for its abundance of fresh groundwater, Al-Qassar Village comprises around 400 houses. These unique dwellings with stone walls and roofs made of palm tree planks, leaves, Doum palm, or Anisotes trisulcus branches topped with algae and mud, show traditional building techniques designed to withstand the elements.