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Culture and Lifestyle

Stories related to society, culture and lifestyles.

 

Women artists make impact on Saudi Arabia's art scene
The role of women in various aspects of Saudi society has been changing dramatically in recent years. One area where great strides has been made is the arts and culture scene, including in various Saudi regions. The women’s art movement in Baha is elevating the Saudi art scene by showcasing regional and national heritage. Visual artist Samia Al-Othman told the Saudi Press Agency that the women’s art movement in Baha has witnessed significant development in recent years. Al-Othman has taken part in local and international exhibitions and forums, and undergone training courses in different art schools, utilizing a range of techniques since 2012. Nada Al-Jabiri said that she discovered her talent at an early age, adding that aspirations for the future can be seen in her drawings, which aligns with empowering women and using their artistic ideas. Women artists in Baha have been influenced by local and global experiences, which is reflected in many of their works. (SPA) She added that visual art is sending a great message by highlighting national identity and introducing Saudi cultural, historic, social and artistic heritage to the world.
dennis2020 Sun, 08/27/2023 - 08:15 Opinion: breaking bread in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

"It is also too early to talk about 'culinary diplomacy' in the Karabakh conflict, sometimes also referred to as 'gastrodiplomacy,' though countless state banquets demonstrate that is by no means a new concept," writes Onnik James Krikorian in this op-ed for commonspace.eu. "Instead, 'gastronationalism' has often defined the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict - especially over national dishes common to both such as dolma - in much the same way that Lebanese and Israelis have engaged in a perpetual 'hummus war'." He adds that "amid the petty squa

patrickn97 Tue, 06/27/2023 - 10:12

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Women artists make impact on Saudi Arabia's art scene
The role of women in various aspects of Saudi society has been changing dramatically in recent years. One area where great strides has been made is the arts and culture scene, including in various Saudi regions. The women’s art movement in Baha is elevating the Saudi art scene by showcasing regional and national heritage. Visual artist Samia Al-Othman told the Saudi Press Agency that the women’s art movement in Baha has witnessed significant development in recent years. Al-Othman has taken part in local and international exhibitions and forums, and undergone training courses in different art schools, utilizing a range of techniques since 2012. Nada Al-Jabiri said that she discovered her talent at an early age, adding that aspirations for the future can be seen in her drawings, which aligns with empowering women and using their artistic ideas. Women artists in Baha have been influenced by local and global experiences, which is reflected in many of their works. (SPA) She added that visual art is sending a great message by highlighting national identity and introducing Saudi cultural, historic, social and artistic heritage to the world.
dennis2020 Sun, 08/27/2023 - 08:15
Opinion: breaking bread in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

"It is also too early to talk about 'culinary diplomacy' in the Karabakh conflict, sometimes also referred to as 'gastrodiplomacy,' though countless state banquets demonstrate that is by no means a new concept," writes Onnik James Krikorian in this op-ed for commonspace.eu. "Instead, 'gastronationalism' has often defined the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict - especially over national dishes common to both such as dolma - in much the same way that Lebanese and Israelis have engaged in a perpetual 'hummus war'." He adds that "amid the petty squa

patrickn97 Tue, 06/27/2023 - 10:12
Georgia celebrates Independence Day, events around the world to mark occasion

On Friday (26 May), Georgia is celebrating the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the first Democratic Republic of Georgia.

The Democratic Republic of Georgia declared independence from the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (TDFR), which consisted of much of the present-day territory of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, on 26 May 1918. Two days later, both Armenia and Azerbaijan also declared independence from the TDFR, which was formed in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917.

patrickn97 Fri, 05/26/2023 - 09:52
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan agree to increase cultural cooperation

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have agreed to increase cultural cooperation, reports The Astana Times on Tuesday (9 May).

Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Askhat Oralov announced last week that his country intends to strengthen cultural ties with Azerbaijan and other Turkic countries through the Organization of Turkic States and the International Organization of Turkic Culture.

patrickn97 Wed, 05/10/2023 - 10:00
Kazakhstan celebrates Day of Unity on 1 May

Today, on Monday (1 May), Kazakhstan is marking the Kazakhstan People's Unity Day.

Signed into law on 18 October 1995 and first celebrated in 1996, the Kazakhstan People's Unity Day celebrates the diverse cultural and ethnic background of Kazakh citizens and the Kazakh nation, especially emphasising peaceful inter-ethnic relations between ethnic Kazakhs and minorities.

It is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, and the day represents values of friendship, solidarity, trust and mutual respect.

patrickn97 Mon, 05/01/2023 - 09:09
Russia's traditional Victory Day "Immortal Regiment" parade in Moscow cancelled

A key event in Russia's annual 9 May Victory Day commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II will not take place this year in Moscow, report Russian media.

The "Immortal Regiment" parade, in which ordinary Russians throughout the country parade through town and city streets holding photos of relatives who were killed during the Second World War has become a staple of Victory Day celebrations under Vladimir Putin's rule.

patrickn97 Tue, 04/18/2023 - 11:33
Editorial: Central Asia needs to embrace civil society

This editorial first appeared in the 4 April 2023 issue of our newsletter, Central Asia Concise. If you would like to sign up to Central Asia Concise, or any other of our newsletters, click here.

patrickn97 Tue, 04/04/2023 - 12:58
Kazakh yurt appears in Slovak capital Bratislava to mark Nauryz

A traditional Kazakh yurt has been erected in the Slovak capital of Bratislava to celebrate the springtime festival of Nauryz. The installation was organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan and supported by city authorities, reports Kazinform.

patrickn97 Mon, 03/27/2023 - 12:12
Opinion: culture can play a critical role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace-building

In this op-ed for commonspace.eu, Onnik James Krikorian writes that culture can play a critical role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace-building process. "It can provide positive examples of coexistence and demonstrate how Armenians and Azerbaijanis share similarities despite dominant nationalist narratives that suggest otherwise. Acknowledging and respecting cultural differences could be instrumental in promoting peace and resolving conflicts." 

patrickn97 Tue, 03/21/2023 - 10:16