Beirut, July 2021: As part of its initiatives aimed at harnessing the long-lost art of Arabic calligraphy and honing young talents’ creativity in the field,Khawla Art and Culture Foundation in partnership with Modern Arabesque Magazine, is curating an artistic and cultural exhibition by the name of “Al Khatt Festival” on the St. Nicholas stairs in Gemmayzeh. The opening ceremony took place on Friday the 9th of July in the presence of the Affairs Officer at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Lebanon, Mr. Fahd Al Kaabi, representatives of the embassy and a number of cultural and artistic entities, organizers and media. The exhibition will run for two consecutive days on July 10 and 11 from 5:00 to 11:00 PM. Despite everything that has happened in the country, Beirut was chosen for this first exhibition, as the undying symbol of art and culture in the region. Bringing art back to the city brings life back to the city and reaffirms Beirut’s identity as the cultural hub of the Middle East and the world.
The exhibition aims to revive the cultural life of Beirut and reiterate the true identity of Lebanon as a cultural and artistic beacon of the Middle East. Participants and art lovers will be inspired through fascinating works of art and powerful messages, exhibited by four established Beirut-based calligraphy artists: Fadi Alawayid, Everite Barbee, Rola Dlaykan and Ghaleb Hawila. Each one of these artists will be presenting different masterpieces with inspiring messages of hope and freedom that showcase the artistic and cultural jewels of the Arab world. The St. Nicholas stairs in Gemmayzeh will be transformed into an outdoor gallery where visitors are encouraged to roam through different the 24 different works of art and explore the paths of these different artists.
Acting Affairs Officer at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Lebanon, Mr. Fahad Al Kaabi, said: “The UAE attaches exceptional importance and value to art and culture, therefore it has developed strategies and provided the necessary infrastructure to create a hub and destination for artists, shows, and performances. Thanks to this leadership, culture plays an important role in leading people towards creativity and innovation. Hence institutions in the fields of publishing and others, including the Khawla Foundation for Culture and Arts, emerged as an incubator for art and its elements by providing all the necessary ingredients to enrich this sector and ensure its continuity and diversity.”
The representative of Khawla Art and Culture Foundation in Lebanon, Ms. Rayan Hakki, stated: “Khawla Art and Culture’s mission is to preserve and revive the arts and culture in the Arab world and in the Middle East and especially the art of Arabic Calligraphy.
As we all know that Beirut, Lebanon is known as the city of arts and cultures even with all its agonies. Our choice of Beirut is to help the country itself get back its spark and its artistic life. Help the Lebanese, get through the difficulties by giving them hope.”
She continues: “So, what better than the St Nicolas Stairs, also called ‘Escalier de l’Art’, also a victim of the blast of 4th of August, to be the place of the event, where life will take place again.
Calligraphy is a way for people to communicate, and through our exhibition, we are aiming to let everyone, young and old to come, gather and communicate through the art of Arabic Calligraphy.”
“Al Khatt Festival” is part of a series of artistic and cultural initiatives that Khawla Art and Culture Foundation intends to complete in the Arab region as a way to preserve the Arabic language, consolidate its use and the art of speaking it, and developing young talents to highlight new artistic know-hows of the Arab world, while also promoting artistic and cultural development throughout different societies. “Al Khatt Festival” will bring this cultural and artistic spirit that Beirut needs in order to rise up and return to the cultural map of the world, reassert its role in the field, and revive hope for life in its people and artists. This exhibition tells the beautiful story of how art and culture are capable of resurrecting a city in which the love of life still courses through its veins.
About Khawla Art and Culture Foundation
Khawla Art & Culture was established by the artist, poet and calligrapher, Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, wife of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s National Security Advisor.
We curate over 1,500 years of the world’s cultural heritage through a diverse collection of artworks and educational resources to enrich lives across the world.
Through a global community of artists and over 100 pieces of manuscripts, antiques, architectural exhibits, music and art, we cultivate interest in the cultural heritage of the world, with emphasis on calligraphy.
We nurture the youth and their talents through lectures, workshops and courses to help them appreciate the past, understand the present and craft a future full of peace. By showcasing the artistic and cultural jewels of the UAE to the world, we depict how Arab culture has enriched
The world and how the world has enriched Arab culture.