For the past several years, Arabic calligraphy has been emphasized throughout the Middle East, and the art is increasingly gaining prominence in the region. Through a unique project, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has also promoted art.
The ‘Year of Calligraphy,’ an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture, has been promoting this cultural practice through a variety of programs, activities, and workshops.
The language has been gaining popularity by immersing participants in a world of Mu’allaqat (distinguished poems), Arabic maqams (melodic material), poetry, narrative, and more. Even now, thanks to UNESCO’s recognition of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this is still the case. Through this program, Ithra has given people the opportunity to learn about the history and design of calligraphy, as well as encouraging them to learn about the history of the Arabic language.
‘The Calligraphy Tree,’ an installation of all the Arabic letters in various colors, sizes, and shapes, was one of Mithra’s programs. The program explored the meaning of Arabic calligraphy and how to appreciate it as an art form.
Other activities at Ithra included workshops on Arabic calligraphy that studied the stages of the art, as well as other activities targeted at promoting calligraphy on intellectual, cultural, and cognitive levels. The Center also held a series of seminars and workshops at the Children’s Museum focusing on printing Arabic calligraphy using Risograph technology. In the Ithra library, rare products and manuscripts were on display.
Ithra’s calligraphy voyage came to a finish with the creation of an artistic work, carving out verses for 51 Arab poets of all ages and periods.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture aspires to provide quality initiatives and activities for all sections of the community through all of these events and seminars.