حجاج سلامة

The text highlights Sana Hechri’s artistic philosophy as expressed in her book Veins of Time, which explores the evolution from color to idea and from idea to poetic expression. It emphasizes her belief in art as a multidimensional path and presents her teaching approach centered on creative freedom, emotional expression, and the search for artistic essence. The book showcases her mixed-media techniques, her celebration of feminine memory and identity, and her representation of women across the Arab world. Hechri reflects on writing about her own art as an act of truth and self-witnessing. The article also notes her artistic background, exhibitions, awards, and previous publication Nidal min Alwan.

The text reviews Algerian writer Hakima Jomana Jribia’s novel “Qalb Khana Yasara,” highlighting its emotionally charged female narrative centered on Layal, whose life is shaped by early encounters with death, personal losses and the turmoil of Algeria’s black decade. The novel uses bodily and emotional struggle as metaphors for societal fractures, depicting the psychological impact of violence, fear and cultural decline. Layal’s physical and emotional suffering culminates in a medical journey to France, where her heart is surgically repositioned, symbolizing displacement and transformation. The review also outlines the author’s background and literary achievements.

Experts and cultural leaders gathered in Sharjah for the third Heritage Conference to examine the future of oral traditions amid rapid digital transformation. Participants highlighted the importance of oral heritage as a core element of cultural identity and discussed tools for documenting, preserving, and digitizing this legacy using modern technologies and artificial intelligence. The event emphasized Sharjah’s growing role as a regional hub for cultural dialogue and showcased new scholarly publications, exhibitions, and initiatives supporting long-term preservation of intangible cultural heritage.

The Saudi Society for Fine Arts introduced a new visual identity reflecting recent institutional transformation and efforts to build a more efficient and sustainable professional model. The launch coincided with completed development projects, including digital transformation and organizational excellence initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Presentations highlighted the cultural and national inspirations behind the new identity and showcased key achievements of the current board. The event included the signing of new partnerships, recognition of contributors, and affirmation of the society’s role in strengthening the national visual arts movement, supported by expanding artistic activity across the kingdom and increasing recognition of Saudi artists locally and internationally.

Women artists in Saudi Arabia are experiencing significant growth in visibility and influence across local, regional and international fine arts scenes, supported by the cultural expansion linked to Vision 2030. Prominent female artists and leaders within the Saudi Society for Fine Arts highlight expanded opportunities, equal participation alongside men, and increasing recognition of women's artistic contributions. Various artists emphasize women’s creativity, emotional depth, and historical role in artistic traditions, while noting that contemporary female artists now compete strongly and contribute meaningfully to shaping the region’s artistic landscape.

Issue 42 of the quarterly journal Al‑Mawrooth, published by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, features studies on Arab public baths as social, cultural and architectural spaces, alongside research spanning anthropology, philosophy, oral traditions, architecture and environmental heritage. Contributors examine Yemeni, Moroccan, Indian and historical bath traditions, analyze elements of intangible cultural heritage such as market calls and customary marriage practices, and explore broader themes including Sufi influence, human–nature relations, traditional architecture and digital‑age creativity. The issue also includes translations and ethnographic studies reflecting the institute’s continued focus on documenting and interpreting cultural heritage across the Arab world.

A cultural symposium at Cairo’s Gezira Club highlighted the release of Elhami Al-Zayat’s autobiography, detailing more than fifty years in tourism, aviation and hospitality. Former tourism ministers and industry experts praised his professional influence, international outreach and contributions to Egypt’s tourism sector. The event underscored the book’s value in documenting key transformations in Egyptian tourism and broader social and economic history, emphasizing the importance of preserving the experiences of sector pioneers.

A cultural panel at the 2026 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair explored performing arts as a universal language and discussed their role in education, entrepreneurship and heritage preservation. Speakers highlighted opportunities for developing performing arts into a sustainable cultural industry and emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and Saudi Arabia’s presence on global platforms. The session also underscored efforts to protect traditional movement arts and praised Saudi institutions for promoting and preserving national cultural identity.

An exhibition hosted by Instituto Cervantes in Amman brings together 40 artists from the Canary Islands and additional participants from Mediterranean and global regions to promote unity through printmaking. Curator Fatima Suleiman emphasizes the initiative’s aim to transcend cultural and ideological differences. Featured works address humanitarian themes, including contributions by noted Arab artists and a posthumous piece by Egyptian artist Wahid Belqasi, reflecting varied artistic approaches to contemporary crises.

A cultural evening in Tabuk explored the relationship between historical documentation and imaginative storytelling, led by novelist Ahmed Al‑Samari, who emphasized balancing factual integrity with creative freedom. Discussions focused on how novels can revive marginalized voices, reshape collective memory and connect historical truth with artistic expression. Interactive contributions from attendees enriched the event, which underscored Tabuk’s growing cultural activity and the value of initiatives that promote dialogue around literature, history and identity.

An exhibition titled 'Untold Stories' opens at Galerie Axis in Cairo, featuring 45 mixed‑media works by Egyptian artist Shireen El‑Baroudi. The pieces blend acrylics, oils, threads, photography and ceramic sculpture to express internal memories and unspoken stories. El‑Baroudi describes the works as capturing silent narratives that time passed before they could be told. The exhibition runs through June and highlights her extensive artistic background and international participation.

Egyptian sculptor Munira Mostafa highlights women's strong presence in contemporary Arab visual arts, attributing it to heightened sensitivity and expressive ability. She describes her sculptures as channels for releasing life's pressures and focusing on women and broader human issues, while noting the indirect presence of men in her work. Mostafa warns against turning art into a purely commercial pursuit that dulls the artist’s emotional expression, though she accepts the possibility of maintaining a separate commercial line. She prepares for her second solo exhibition in Alexandria and is recognized for her versatility with materials and fusion of expressionist and surrealist styles.

The fourth edition of the Scent of the Past exhibition gathered nearly fifty Saudi artists at Adham Art Center in Jeddah, showcasing works inspired by national heritage before an audience of diplomats, cultural figures and established creators. The event, supported by the center’s founders and attended by prominent guests, highlighted a broad mix of veteran and emerging artists, emphasizing the continuity of Saudi visual arts and the enduring influence of traditional themes.

The Egyptian Writers’ Union honored author and poet Fatima Weheedy with the Saleh Sharaf Al-Din Award for her poetry collection “The Deluded Are Followed by No One,” praised by union leadership as part of a transparent and impartial awards process. Weheedy expressed gratitude, describing the award as affirmation of her creative journey. The article highlights her diverse literary work, previous honors, and her writing philosophy rooted in personal experience, collective memory, and cultural heritage, treating tradition as a living narrative force connecting past and present.

A session hosted by India’s Academy of Excellence brought together critics, writers, and students to explore Aisha Benour’s novel “Matryoshka – Souls of Cotton,” focusing on its themes of memory, identity, and the cultural significance of historical sites. Benour emphasized the role of heritage and archaeological spaces as living records of collective human experience, urging renewed attention to their preservation. Participants offered diverse critical readings, highlighting the novel’s multilayered symbolism and cross‑cultural resonance. The event underscored growing international interest in Arabic literature and concluded with acknowledgments to organizers for fostering meaningful cultural exchange.

A scientific symposium at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage gathered Arab and Gulf experts to examine best practices for protecting cultural and natural heritage during crises. Speakers emphasized the dangers posed by wars and conflicts to human memory, underscoring the need for stronger international legislation, technological tools for monitoring violations, and comprehensive digital documentation systems. Participants highlighted the role of global organizations, particularly UNESCO and ICCROM Sharjah, in safeguarding threatened sites and supporting affected communities. Sessions covered ethical frameworks, legal structures and practical experiences in crisis-time heritage management, accompanied by an exhibition showcasing successful protection projects across the Arab world.

The book by Nasir Al‑Sheikh blends personal memory with the cultural history of Iraqi cities, presenting place as a living existential space that preserves identity through evocative narrative. It revisits landmarks of Amarah, including the historic Modern Library, while recalling the author’s formative experiences in the cultural life of the 1970s and 1980s. Through descriptive prose and nostalgic reconstruction, the work documents literary figures, publications and urban aesthetics, portraying the city as a dynamic vessel of memory and cultural transformation.

A literary event in Riyadh's Tuwaiq district celebrated Fatima Abdullah Al‑Dosari’s novel 'The Zero Gate,' highlighting its exploration of personal transformation, social change, and psychological depth within Saudi society. Speakers discussed themes of identity, women’s experiences, emotional struggle, and symbolic meanings in the narrative. The session, moderated by novelist Ahmed Al‑Samari, emphasized the novel’s blend of storytelling and introspective reflection, ending with acknowledgments and book signings.

A new study by Egyptian archaeo-astronomy researcher Ahmed Awad presents astronomical and archaeological evidence indicating that the tomb of Tutankhamun was deliberately aligned to function as a cosmic‑political stage legitimizing the transfer of royal authority to his successor, Ay. Using digital modeling of celestial alignment, the research links the tomb’s orientation to the rare ‘Union of the Two Bulls’ phenomenon, symbolizing divine authorization for royal succession. The study argues that coordinated celestial events in 1322 BCE coincided with the end of Tutankhamun’s reign and the rise of Ay, suggesting intentional architectural and ritual design connected to ancient Egyptian religious and political practices.

Sharjah marked World Heritage Day with a series of cultural events organized by the Sharjah Heritage Institute, emphasizing the emirate’s leading role in preserving Emirati, Arab and global heritage. Activities highlighted traditional kohl as an element listed by UNESCO, with workshops, discussions and live demonstrations exploring its historical, cultural and health significance. Officials and experts stressed the importance of safeguarding cultural identity, expanding heritage programs and strengthening international partnerships, reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a global center for heritage conservation.