In recent years, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a path of societal transformation. With so many eyes focused on the future, there are concerns that the kingdom – and other countries – run the risk of losing touch with what makes them unique in an increasingly globalised world. This question of continuity sits at the heart of Fragments of Folklore, a new exhibition in Riyadh’s Jax District.
Created through a collaboration by Thaa, Mir'a Art and Triyad, Fragments of Folklore is a diverse collection of works by four artists, exploring how notions of materiality, patterns and sacred geometry translate into contemporary art.
Each piece aims to act as a catalyst, facilitating a dialogue on the nature of heritage, not as something to be preserved in archives and sterile display cases, but as something that persists in everyday culture.
“This exhibition is more than a presentation of works,” Lisa De Boeck, exhibition curator and founder of Triyad, tells The National. “It is a movement that brings visibility to artists shaping the artistic landscape of Saudi Arabia and beyond. By bringing these voices to the forefront, Fragments of Folklore actively contributes to shaping art history, ensuring that heritage is both preserved and dynamically reimagined for future generations.”
“Our core mission has always been to connect East and West, to create meaningful opportunities for Mena artists,” says Nadine El Guiddawy, curator and co-founder of Mir'a Art. “For generations, the narrative of our culture has often been told from an external perspective. Now, we have the opportunity to share our story in our own voice.”
Displayed within a “labyrinth” of wooden partitions, evoking traditional Saudi handcrafts, the exhibition introduces each participant in turn, leading visitors on an immersive journey of discovery.
Inspired by the Quran and classical poetry, Saudi artist Lulwah Al Homoud’s practice balances structure and spirituality. Her works deconstruct traditional Arabic calligraphy and reimagine it as repeating geometric patterns, utilising a visual language created using abstraction and mathematical systems.
“Folklore was once a form of innovative artistic expression, continuously shaped by generations before becoming fixed as tradition,” says Al Homoud. “I believe that, while preserving tradition is important, evolution should not stop. I seek to reimagine these traditions in a contemporary context, [allowing] me to bridge the past and present, making Arabic script more accessible.”
Multidisciplinary Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa combines tradition with modernity, transforming the stylistic elements of geometric Islamic art into more contemporary forms. His works range from his first wall painting – made at the age of 14 – to the abstract 3D sculptures of his Parametric, Spectrum and Wave series featured in the exhibition.
“Despite the differences in style, there is a common denominator throughout my practice; an ongoing observation of the changes in the landscape of Bahrain, which has undergone such a dramatic transformation over the years,” Al Khalifa explains.
“With change and transition, however, comes loss,” he continues. “A number of sites no longer exist, and with them, certain practices have been lost, or abandoned. My philosophy honours [these] traditions by contemporising them.”
Another Saudi artist, Raeda Ashour, creates hand-embossed compositions. She employs pastel colours and gold leaf, as well repeating plant and animal motifs, to evoke Islamic visual heritage, sacred geometry and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Arabian Peninsula. Through these aspects of shared cultural memory, Ashour encourages viewers to reflect.
“Through my work, I hope to inspire others to connect with their roots and celebrate this heritage,” says Ashour. “Overlooking the genius and benefits of local arts is to neglect one of the most attractive and accessible features of our culture. Cultural heritage is more than a collection of artefacts; it is the very fabric of our society.”
Pakistani visual artist Hamra Abbas brings the historical craft technique of Mughal marble inlay into contemporary sculpture.
Created from layered natural stone, her topographical works recall Quranic descriptions of paradise, gardens and aerial landscapes, exploring themes of beauty, place, ecology and the passage of time.
“The works I am exhibiting are based on an old technique of stone inlay,” says Abbas. “It has been practised in South Asia since the 17th century. I have reinterpreted this technique to create new sculptures that blur the boundary between painting and sculpture. It is a visual language rooted in the decorative, reimagined through themes of ecology, desire and devotion.”
Fragments of Folklore runs until May 12 at Jax District
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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
The years Ramadan fell in May
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
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Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
