Vol 3. Iss. 2 DQ Living: Made in KSA - Curating Saudi Art & Culture

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 MARCH-APRIL 2019

MADE IN KSA

CURATING SAUDI ART & CULTURE THE KING ABDUL AZIZ CAMEL FESTIVAL

MARVELOUS MAURITIUS

Greetings DQ Community! Welcome to the Art and Culture Issue of DQ Living Magazine. We are thankful for our ever growing team of DQ residents and culture enthusiasts who contributed to this issue. Our readers are equally awesome; thank you for your feedback and continuous support.

From the piano and violin recital by Omer Bouchez and Geoffroy Couteau at the Cultural Palace to the grand opening of Marriott Diplomatic Quarter to the sporting and playgroup activities organized by residents, the DQ is buzzing with activities these days. Spring fests and bazaars held by various embassies have filled the atmosphere with joy and unity.

The creativity, artistry, and energy are inspired by the city we all call home. Riyadh is teeming with talents! Its burgeoning art and culture scene is seen in the tremendous growth and popularity of Saudi Design Week, Camel Festival, and exhibits at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center.

Back in the DQ, the soon-to-open Radisson Blu DQ also features the Living Exhibition, a collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, featuring the work of local artisans throughout the hotel.

If you haven’t visited Oud Square lately, you are in for a surprise! Nozomi Garden, the pop-up version of the famous Nozomi Restaurant, has fast become a trendy evening spot featuring contemporary Japanese cuisine and a live DJ. The DQ community is highly anticipating the opening of Urth Caffe, also in Oud Square, which will open its doors soon. To top it off, Darraq Luxury Villas and Apartments within the DQ continue to elevate the living standards of individuals and families who reside here.

We look forward to continuing to cover the exciting updates within the Diplomatic Quarter and beyond. As always, we would love to hear from you: projects@sharakahmedia.com.

The popular food issue is next. Stay tuned!

Publisher Fayez Aldosari

Project Coordinator Maria Cometti Editorial Coordinator Naureen Ahmed Marketing Coordinator Alyaa Malik

Contributors

Aevan Caro Noora Dabbagh Rositsa Dorovska Kelly Downing Fariha Eshrat Yanna Murash Margie Sartain Lynda Faye Schmidt Janelle Vales-Yasay

Photographers

Distributed by Hachem Photography Jaffar Raza Printed by Star Printing

Facebook: facebook.com/dqliving ▪ Twitter: @dqliving ▪ Instagram: @dqliving Website: www.dqlivingmag.com The concept, style, and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Sharakah Media and are not to be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication.

However, Sharakah Media can not accept any legal responsibility for any error or omission.

Views expressed in this magazine are by writers and are not necessarily those of the publisher of DQ Living.

Sharakah Media | PO Box 9468 | Al Safarat Riyadh, 11614 | www.sharakahmedia.com | projects@sharakahmedia.com

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Contents 06 COVER | King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival

30 GO | Marvelous Mauritius

10 LIVE | The Art of Darraq Living

36 EAT | Feel Good Food: Urth Caffé

16 FEATURE | A Kingdom's Creative Re-Awakening

40 DISCOVER | Ushaiger: The Village Where Time Stood Still

ON THE COVER: Fatemah Talal Hassanen is the artist behind the 120 ceramic works of The Living Exhibition from Turquoise Mountain. Photo credit to Nyree Cox.

22 FEATURE | Crafts of Arabia: The Living Exhibition

42 SHOP | Curators of Art Supplies

Contributors After being a dependent in Saudi Arabia for 16 years, AEVAN MAR CARO went back to his home country to study and work but was lured back to the Kingdom for three main reasons: job opportunity, shopping opportunity and the opportunity to eat shawarma non-stop.

YANA MURASH is a Lifestyle & Fashion contributor based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She is also working internationally as a Creative Fashion Event Planner and PR Expert in the Fashion Industry of the Middle East and Europe. She has a wide experience in high fashion shopping and styling across the GCC countries.

NOORA DABBAGH enjoys new cuisines and traveling. Having lived for 18 years in Saudi Arabia, a country known as a melting pot of different nationalities, Noora enjoys meeting people from all over the world. Oh, and she’s also a licensed scuba diver.

MARGIE SARTAIN hails from a small country town in Queensland, Australia.

She works as a small business marketing consultant and has recently moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband and their little dog Rudy. Her passions lie in floristry, interior design, travel and most importantly, food.

ROSITSA DOROVSKA is one of the few Bulgarians in Riyadh. Spouse of a diplomat from the newly-established Bulgarian Embassy, she is a part of the Diplomatic Quater‘s community; she’s also excited to explore Saudi Arabia‘s hidden gems. Her own “mission” during their family term in the Kingdom is to unite the Bulgarian diaspora and to support the cross-cultural exchange between Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia.

LYNDA FAYE SCHMIDT dreams to move to Panama one day and open a restaurant with her husband. But for now, she’s a storyteller in Riyadh with a penchant for writing real-life experiences and relationships and a passion for food and conversations.

KELLY DOWNING is a stay-at-home mom with a background in real estate, sales management and business development. She’s a vegetarian since childhood. She also recently got her driving license in Saudi Arabia, one of the first expat women to do so.

JANELLE VALES-YASAY is the Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning blog, The Pink Tarha. She has a knack for witty comebacks, bursts of creativity and lipsticks for all occasions.

Fueled by iced drinks, desserts and thousands of e-books on her Kindle, she has also written for several publications in Riyadh, including Destination KSA and the Saudi Voyager.

FARIHA ESHRAT is a medical student with an interest in writing, media and PR. Having spent 23 years in the Kingdom, she has also grown a strong passion for hummus and kunafa. Fariha has been an editorial and marketing team contributor with DQ Living since 2017.

To read more DQ Living articles, visit our website at: DQLIVINGMAG.COM

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WHAT'S NEW

IN THE DQ

Watch this space for the latest announcements and promotions in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.

Submit your updates! Email projects@sharakahmedia.com

The famous contemporary Japanese restaurant, Nozomi, has opened a popup restaurant in Oud Square! We love the chill vibe and mouthwatering food!

Nozomi Garden Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5:00 PM - 11:45 PM Friday & Saturday: 1:30 PM - 11:45 PM For reservations: 920009686

OUD SQUARE UPDATES

Urth Caffé s slated to open in the coming weeks! In the meantime, you can still enjoy their food truck. See our review of their first branch in Riyadh on page 36.

OPENING SOON: The DQ community's plea for delicious pizza is heard! @monopolysaudi is set to open any day now!

ShaMOUaee Alll our products are handmade in Riyadh using the finest ingredients.

Where can you buy our unique products in Saudi Arabia?

Studio ShaMOUaee: 050 960 0913 Andrea (Riyadh): 055 837 7693 Teresa (Jeddah): 054 994 3494

FOUR SEASONS RIYADH | DESERT DESIGNS AL KHOBAR | LUTHAN THE BLOSSOM TREE RIYADH Facebook: @Shamouaee.Candles Instagram: @shamouaee

Authentic ShaMOUaee Candles

Made from 100% Soy and All Natural Fragrance Oils

Find Salt at Tuwaiq Palace Find Salt, a hip and cool 'traveling' restaurant that serves halal-certified wagyu beef sliders in unique outdoor set-up complete with DJs and dancing waiters, is soon to open for reservations in their newest location: the DQ's Tuwaiq Palace.

Stay updated by following @findsalt on instagram.

AROUND THE DQ Eleven artists participated in the "Drainage Cover @ DQ" initiative, a way to beautify the ordinary drainage covers with pops of color inspired by both modern and traditional designs. They are divided into different categories per location: Culture Heritage (AlKindi Square), Patterns Culture (Cultural Palace), Youth Pop Art (Oud Square) and Science (Fazari Square). This project was brought to us by the General Diplomatic Quarter Authority.

OUTSIDE THE DQ

Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya Launches “Grilling at 56th Avenue Diner” The launch of Grilling at 56th Avenue Diner offers a memorable American dining experience at the terrace of the restaurant, celebrating America’s diversity and culture through food. During Grilling at 56th Avenue Diner. The theme changes daily from San Francisco’s Chinatown to Manhattan’s Middle Eastern delight to other fusion cuisines every night, to highlight a different region of the country. The live grill station has a range of fresh seafood and meat to choose from. The healthy salad bar and home-made desserts served are also a delight.

The every woman, every Friday deal offers 50% off for companies of women diners. For reservations, contact 0112881234 or reservations@hyatt.com

RIYADH MARRIOTT HOTEL DQ OFFICIALLY OPENS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAFFAR RAZA Riyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter held its grand opening last 18 March 2019 with the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud as the Guest of Honor. The hotel was bustling with guests from all over the city, from diplomats, residents, public figures and business owners gracing the event -- all eager to discover the brand new hotel in the DQ. “We are delighted to enhance our footprint in Saudi Arabia with the opening of two strategically important hotels that not only complement each other but also deliver very distinct brand experiences. Saudi Arabia continues to be one of our key markets and we are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Dur Hospitality,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

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The hotel is inspired by the scenic and fertile Wadi Hanifa, a beautiful desert oasis running through Riyadh. The lowrise hotel resembles the smooth, dry canyon walls that make for a dramatic arrival experience. Once you step inside, the waterways guide the way into the heart of the building, ushering guests through the arrival court into the palm dotted oasis in the heart of the hotel’s lush courtyard. Planted cacti, flowering vines, plentiful blooming desert flora and native date palm trees create a soothingly calming ambiance, providing shaded secluded areas from the scorching desert sun.

Here, life happens against a scenic lush backdrop in one of the restaurants and cafes.

The complex is the first five-star full service hotel in the Diplomatic Quarter and features 80 spacious modern rooms, and 140 fully equipped apartments. The deluxe rooms fea-

WHAT'S NEW

ture modern décor and ample work space, allowing guests to stay connected with in-room technology including high speed WiFi and bedside USB outlets. Guests staying in one of the six Premium Suites or the Presidential Suite can enrich their experience in the M Club Lounge offering an international buffet, hors d’oeuvre and local specialties 24 hours a day.

Sparking brilliance through spaces that seamlessly blend work and play with state-of-the-art business facilities and innovative spaces such as The Greatroom, the hotel caters for the needs of both business and leisure travelers. Guests can enjoy an elevated experience through the Mobile Guest Services, delivered with the warm and professional service for which the brand is globally renowned.

Riyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter houses three dining venues, Gojia Kitchen – a sophisticated all day dining destination, a la carte restaurant Mesquite and Agave Café located in the lobby. The hotel offers multiple recreational areas surrounded by lush greenery. An open-air swimming pool serves as an ideal spot to unwind after a long day. Other facilities include 24-hour Fitness Centres for both men and women and a sublime Saray Spa featuring a Turkish Hammam and female and male treatment rooms.

Meeting the highest standards for energy and environmental (LEED) Gold Certification requirements, the hotel site creates a protected micro-climate and maximizes on environmental impacts. By amplifying useful daylight via a com-

plex reflection processes, the hotel can decrease its illumination needs during the day. Plentiful shaded areas and the building’s structure allow for natural ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning and additional cooling.

The opening of Riyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter and Marriott Executive Apartments Riyadh, Diplomatic Quarter marks the fifth collaboration between Marriott International and Dur Hospitality following Riyadh Marriott Airport, Marriott Executive Apartments Riyadh Convention Center, Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter and Riyadh Marriott Hotel – the Marriott Hotels first property in the Middle East.

To find out more about the hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments please visit: www.Marriott.Com/RUHDQ 7

The King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival:

An Enrichment of Heritage, Nationalism, and Culture

BY AEVAN CARO

COVER

More than 120 kilometers northeast of the Kingdom’s capital, thousands of guests and visitors have gathered to attend the third King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.

The prestigious annual festival, which ran from February 5 to March 23 of this year, offered a huge variety of cultural events and educational activities open for the public to enjoy. The list of numerous activities includes camel beauty contest, camel race, caravan activities, multi-cultural sports and bazaars. This year's event features "Nomad Universe", considered as the world's largest ethnofestival, that showcases the preservation and revival of historical heritage and diversity of the original culture of people and ethnic groups from all over the world.

The Camel Heritage

Camels play a significant role in Saudi Arabia's heritage and culture. The King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival puts the spotlight on them to continuously develop the camel tradition in the Arabia culture. It is focused on the importance of camels which constantly plays a vital role in the lives of Arabs.

Known as the "ships of the desert," camels are strong reliable means of transportation and reliable companions of people in the early ages. Up to now, they are celebrated in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries for their contribution in both economic and cultural aspects of the community.

With the Kingdom's Camel Club, the festival has evolved over the years from being just a camel beauty contest to a grand event that features an increasing number of activities that all ages can enjoy. Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the camel festival has grown to become a bigger event that "promotes participation, accentuates heritage, propagates nationalism, and reflects the culture of Saudi Arabia.

The festival has attracted camel owners and enthusiasts from across the Arabia Peninsula to participate in what has been branded as "the largest camel festival in the world."

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Several agencies also contribute to the festival such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, General Entertainment Authority and so much more making this an event that is not to be missed!

Festivities and Activities

Since camels are the stars of the festival, camel-related activities are widespread within the venue. In the morning, beauty contests for camels were held with prizes amounting to more than SR100 million. Camel races are attended by local and international camel racing enthusiasts. Camel exhibits and close encounters such as petting and camel rides are also made available for both children and adults.

Aside from camels, the festival also offered diverse exhibits from different countries and cultures. Some of the multi-cultural activities are bull riding rodeo sport which featured professional riders and American bulls, the Khan El Khalili market which depicted Cairo, Egypt’s traditional marketplace consisting of Egyptian souvenirs and products, and one of the festival’s main highlights, the Nomad Universe.

Multi-cultural Ethnicity

In cooperation between the Camel Club and World Ethnogames Confederation (WEC) of Kyrgyzstan, Nomad Universe, has been organized to take part in the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.

At the spectacular opening ceremony of the Nomad Universe last March 15, 2019, the host country of Kyrgysztan showcased the different ethnic sports including horse riding, archery, hunting, wrestling, falconry, and traditional Kyrgyz dances and music.

An Ethno Village was built at the festival where exhibitions of different nomad games were held to demonstrate the preserved heritage of ethnic sports practiced by various countries while participants wear their traditional costumes.

Among the participants is Ronildo “Rhon” Palmera, a member of the Philippine delegation who brought the “traditional and intellectual game” called sungka, a Filipino variation of the mancala game, to the World Nomad Games.

“The promotion of sungka makes me feel happy and proud,” Rhon said, “Many Filipino youth does not know how to play traditional games nowadays since most of them are hooked more with mobile and online games.” His efforts to promote sungka reflect one of the main objectives of the World Nomad Games which is to preserve cultural and historical heritage as well as the diversity of people from all over the world in this era of globalization.

“The collaboration between WEC and Camel Club for Nomad Universe gave us a bigger exposure as it also widened the range of participants,” Rhon added. The exhibition of games took place from March 9 to 19, 2019, a 10-day-period of promoting and popularizing ethnic sports to the Saudi Arabia crowd.

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival became more interesting as each guest walked deeper inside the venue. A movie venue, “Cinemastan,” was built to show 90 short movies featuring cultural legends of the nomadic culture.

The festival also included an Ethno Bazaar, an area where shops sold souvenir items, national costumes, traditional musical instruments, and local delicacies. Roaming around the bazaar is like traveling around the world in a span of a few minutes! Crowds flocked to the stores where the locals of their respective countries perform their traditional music.

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival and the Nomad Universe are definitely two of the most interesting and exciting cultural events that happened in Riyadh early this year.

In the era of technological evolution, attending events like these teaches us not to lose interest with our heritage, ethnicity, and traditions. There is still a huge place for the past that enriches our present and our future.

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British Council

Bridge of Education and Culture

Members of the Contemporary Collective, Curators of our 2017 ‘We Are Not Alone’ Art exhibition and participants in our arts management and curatorial program.

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. The British Council in the Diplomatic Quarter is among the oldest organizations operating from the DQ and providing arts, culture, and language learning opportunities to the local population.

Give us a brief history of your organization.

Through our work in Education and Society, English and Arts we have been making a real difference to the lives of millions of people in the UK and around the world for over 75 years.

We are driven by our mission to build trust and opportunity between the people of the UK and Saudi Arabia. Our goals are ambitious, and we will only achieve them through partnership. We work with thousands of national and international organizations each year, aligning our strategies and delivering high performing partnerships around the world. In Saudi Arabia, we have been around since 1975!

What is the vision and mission of the organization?

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. Using the UK’s cultural re-

12 The British Council Chief Executive, Sir Ciarán Devane, and General Culture Authority CEO, Eng. Ahmad Almaziad, at the opening of our Creative Futures Forum.

sources, we make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people faceto-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications.

What is the most important work that your organization is doing for arts and culture?

We support programs that encourage greater engagement with art and culture, to help build more vibrant and diverse creative industries. Our programs are designed to make art and culture accessible to everyone, helping more people find new ways to express themselves and contribute to a thriving creative/cultural industry.

What do you think is the importance of arts and culture in these times of technological developments and advancements?

There are more and more employment opportunities being created for young people in the Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030 – and not just within the cultural sector. Creative thinking, leadership, critical analysis – all skills that can be honed through taking part in cultural activity, and are increasingly valuable to employers and entrepreneurs, particularly at a time when the automation of jobs is increasing.

What is your organization’s role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

We create opportunities in education (either through English learning, assessments or through Educational bodies like the Ministry of Education), soft skills development through our many projects and programs, and culture and arts through many different opportunities. By working together, we look forward to seeing the success of the educational and cultural goals of Vision 2030.

What are your cultural exchanges with Saudi Arabia? Are there any ongoing projects that foster cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and your country/organization?

We are working together with local organizations to create partnerships and opportunities that best suit Saudi Arabia and the needs of Saudi youth, consistently. In early February, in partnership with the General Culture Authority, we hosted our first UK-GCC Creative Futures forum in Riyadh which explored the potential of the creative economies in KSA and

British Council participant, Royal Designer by Industry, Morag Myerscough making her contribution to a Saudi design during Saudi Design Week 2018.

the GCC. We are also currently undertaking a film skills research in partnership with Saudi Film Council. We have many plans that we will share soon.

What events with art and culture themes have you done in Riyadh? Any activities/events this year?

We have hosted many art and culture events in Riyadh and will continue to share these opportunities through our social media and website.

Are there collaboration/partnership opportunities with artists/creatives?

Always, those opportunities are constantly updated online through open calls and applications.

British Council C14, Al-Fazary Square, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh 11594 Saudi Arabia Tel No.: 920003668 Website: www.britishcouncil.sa Email: KSAINFO@sa.britishcouncil.org Twitter: @ksabritish Instagram: @britishcouncilksa Facebook: facebook.com/britishcouncilsaudi arabia

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Conference room of Alliance Française d'Arabie Saoudite

Alliance Française

Beacon of Language and Culture The Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia has transformed over time from being a language center in 2010 to a real cultural center that offers, not only French lessons, but also diverse cultural activities. It continuously organizes events in KSA’s major cities to create bridges and connections with the private and public sectors for a brighter present and future.

Give us a brief history of your organization.

The Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia is the leading center in the Kingdom for teaching quality-based French and spreading francophone cultures. It holds strong ties with the French Embassy and is part of the worldwide network of the Alliance Française (816 branches), recognized internationally for the quality of its teaching services. The Alliance Française Network was founded in Paris on July 21, 1883.

What is the most important work that your organization is doing for arts and culture?

The main event Alliance Française organizes every year is the International Women Photographers Award exhibition in cooperation with the French Embassy and L’Art Pur gallery.

What do you think is the importance of arts and culture in these times of technological developments and advancements?

The Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia follow the orientations of the Foundation Alliance Française in Paris, which include spreading French art and culture around the Saudi Arabia. The technological development is complementary to our culture program, and the Alliance Française try to offer cultural activities in adequation with modernity.

What is the vision and mission of the organization?

The institution was born in Saudi Arabia in 2010 and is now based in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Every year, it welcomes more than 3,500 students, francophones and francophiles, with the main goal of training them on the French language and giving them the opportunity to discover the French culture.

Perfume creative workshop for kids.

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Kids from the summer camps of Alliance Française d'Arabie Saoudite

What are your cultural exchanges with Saudi Arabia? Are there any ongoing projects that foster cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and your country/organization?

80% of the French language students at Alliance Française are Saudi citizens. The center trains them on the French language, culture, and etiquette in order to prepare them for studies or professional projects in France. In line with Vision 2030, we will continue to develop cultural exchanges with Saudi Arabia and provide foreign language training to Saudi students.

What events with art and culture themes have you done in Riyadh? Any activities/events this year?

The Alliance Française, in cooperation with the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia, organize concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and movie screenings all year round in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.

Are there collaboration/partnership opportunities with artists/creatives?

The Alliance Française collaborates all-year-round with art galleries such as L’Art Pur Gallery and Naila Art Gallery. The cultural section of French Embassy also collaborates with artists through more specific programs.

Alliance Française d’Arabie Saoudite Al Kindi Plaza, Gate 14, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Contact No.: +966-11-281-6539 / +966-11-281-6540 Website: www.af-ksa.com Email: info@af-ksa.com Social Media Instagram: @alliancefrancaise_KSA Facebook: facebook.com/Alliance-FrancaisedArabie-Saoudite Photo credit: Matthieu Thevenon

Entrance of the Alliance Française Riyadh, Diplomatic Quarter.

Yun Cultural Center

Gateway to Discovering China Founder Aisha Yun started the Yun Cultural Center in 2009. With the vision of leading the cultural exchange between China and Saudi Arabia, the center has pursued its mission of opening a gate for people to discover the mystery of China.

What is the history of the center?

I started Yun Cultural Center in 2009. At the time, I was teaching Mandarin & Chinese arts in five international schools and two training centers in Riyadh. I put in a lot of effort to spread Chinese culture in Saudi Arabia. In the eight years since the Cultural Center’s opening, we have built a professional team that has worked with and taught over a thousand children and adults.

What is the most important work that your organization is doing for art and culture?

The culture teaches fine arts course and Chinese language courses. It also organizes Chinese cultural activities and art exhibitions.

16 Students showing their artwork.

Discuss the relations between arts and culture with technology.

We are living in a world with high and rapid technology development. However, I believe that art and culture become more and more important for these advancing times. They lead and help technology develop and go to a higher level; with art and culture, technology become richer and more productive.

Aisha Yun teaching art to students.

How do you feel about the cultural exchanges your work creates room for?

This is always the most fascinating part for me. My artwork is inspired by a mix of cultures between Saudi Arabia and China. We are working on art exhibitions between the two countries. We will make a big Chinese art exhibition in KSA every year, and also will do the same in China.

What activities have you done in Riyadh recently? Any activities and events this year?

We have organised a Chinese culture event, three Chinese

Student's beautiful artwork.

food festivals and a Chinese culture exhibit in the National Museum of KSA. We have gatherings and activities every Thursday evening. One of our most important activities is now under way; it involves painting a long wall in front of the Yun Center in Arrahmaniya. The design is based on Vision 2030. A team of artists from China and a local art group will work together to bring this project to life. All the ambassadors and their children will be invited and passersby will be welcomed to join.

Are there collaboration/partnership opportunities with artists/creatives ?

Our door is open for all artists, organizations and art colleges. We are always looking for creative and meaningful collaborations to share Chinese culture and traditions.

Yun Cultural Center 3483 Albuhturiah Ar Rahmaniyah, Riyadh 12343 831 Tel No.: 0536591228 Email: yunculturalcenter@gmail.com Website: http://www.chinese-center.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ yunculturalcenter/ Instagram: @yuncultural

LIVE

The Art of Darraq Living

Darraq in the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter comprises of over 400 luxurious, premium residential units. While all properties represent the height of lavish, modern living, each has its own character that makes it the perfect dwelling for residents.

From the moment one lays eyes on a Darraq villa, the surroundings and ambiance already set the tone for a life nestled inside a fresh, well-secured community.

Darraq’s artistic sensibilities can be seen in their one-of-a-kind villas: from its color scheme that’s subtle and minimal yet striking to the sets of furniture that are pristine and precise. The combination of concrete, plush seating and chic lighting feels like a vacation; only immersed in a homey vibe. Neutral walls and high ceilings provide a polished backdrop.

Soft, inviting sofas are awash with barely-there hues.

A true sense of space!

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Each room speaks of an understated elegance punctuated with pops of color from the paintings on the wall, pillows in couches, and decors scattered around the house. These accents enliven and draw the eyes.

The living room has an ample space for meet and greets while the dining area wholeheartedly welcomes guests to a scrumptious meal.

Form and function blend well together in each Darraq home. With its state-of-the-art, smart home technology incorporated in its contemporary looks, an expertly-designed space with high standards of protection, privacy, comfort and security is provided.

From controlling the temperature to the degree of

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lighting to the surveillance cameras, Darraq’s Smart Home System Concept ensures a maximum sense of serenity and peace at the touch of a button.

Apart from the latest technologies, it’s the people that make Darraq a community. Hospitality-inspired services are given by well-trained, hardworking staff.

Free maintenance is available round-the-clock.

Darraq is not only a residential project; it’s a holistic lifestyle development that cares not only for its villas but first and foremost, its residents. Villas are equipped with swimming pools and BBQ areas which family and friends can enjoy during leisure time.

Darraq’s location is ideal for businesspeople, diplomats, and senior executives; the Diplomatic Quarter being one of the most-coveted addresses in Riyadh.

The DQ appeals to every hobby and interest. A foodie? The plaza teeming with new restaurants are within walking distance. A fitness buff, or just trying to get some exercise? The trails and pathways are ideal for walking, jogging, hiking, and cycling. A nature lover? The parks and gardens delight the senses with their calming serenity.

Special privileges and packages at Dur’s facilities ensure a fulfilled and fun life inside the DQ. These include discounts on sports club memberships and invites to Dur events. At the end of each day, residents can sit back, relax, and take it all in in the comforts of their homes.

A house that doesn’t only make a statement, but also makes a home… that’s what Darraq is.

DUR Hospitality Co. P.O. Box 5500, Riyadh, 11422, Saudi Arabia Contact Nos: +966-11-481-6666 ext. 600 Email: leasing@dur.sa Website: www.darraq.com Social Media: @darraqsa

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The Nuun of Nu Princess Nourah Al Faisal: Entrepreneur Extraordinaire

BY LYNDA SCHMIDT

Nuun is the pronunciation of the letter N in Arabic, which is also the first letter of Nourah Al Faisal’s name. Her closest friends call her Nu. She brings together her heritage, experience and creativity in making the unique designs of Nuun Jewels, the jewelry store that bears witness to a love affair with jewelry made from the highest quality gems and precious metals. Let’s get to know this remarkable lady who brings so much grace and elegance to these artistic creations.

With a BA in English Literature from King Saud University, what drove you to pursue a career in jewelry design?

I have always loved creativity in all its forms, and jewellery design allows me to experiment with forms and proportions on a smaller scale. The materials I use are a plus.

What made you choose an apprenticeship at a jewelry shop in Paris?

I actually did not choose the apprenticeship. I was lucky enough to be offered it on the basis of my sketchbook. It was such an amazing opportunity to be in one of the most prestigious French workshops in France.

Growing up between Riyadh, Paris and London, does one city’s influence on your designs stand out more than another, or are they equally represented in your collections?

I feel like my work is a combination of all my travels. I hope my designs will continue to evolve organically with time and experience.

Do you feel aspects of your heritage, such as the art of calligraphy, a revered and quintessential Islamic art form, are incorporated into or influencing your jewelry designs?

I am particularly influenced by the Islamic geometric patterns; they are a constant source of inspiration, as well as the SADU patterns that are more local to Saudi Arabia.

On your website, nuunjewels.com, you state, “each piece is inspired by life and has a story.” Can you share a favourite story behind a specific piece from one of your collections?

The Doroob collection is a good example of that. The pattern is inspired by the geological patterns found just outside Riyadh, as seen from an airplane. This was what I see every time I come home from my travels and always infuse me with joy.

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Inspired by the dunes of the Arabian desert, Doroob is an exquisite Nuun Jewels collection with diamonds.

FEATURE

It must have felt so exciting to launch a fashion platform in Riyadh in 2017. Do you feel that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with its emphasis on expanding arts and culture in the kingdom, will create greater opportunities for Nuun?

I believe the opportunities that Vision 2030 has already started to create are endless and it is so exciting to be able to take part in this amazing experience. The platform Sougha hopes to partner with the creative community and to help by supporting the growth of the design sector. As for Nuun, although it is a French brand, I am Saudi and so I would like to see my brand continue to be a bridge between both cultures.

With launches in Paris, Dubai, Riyadh and St. Petersburg, it seems clear that Nuun has an international presence. Is there a particular clientele you aspire to reach with your designs?

I have been very blessed to find that my designs seem to have an international appeal and I have been able to travel all over the world for my work. I hope to be able to keep doing that in the future.

Nuun was featured as part of Saudi Design Week held in the King Abdulaziz Centre for National Dialogue last October 3–7, 2018. Do you feel you are enjoying increased interest and an expanding market as a result? What goals are on your horizon?

Of course! This was my second time exhibiting in Saudi Design Week. We also took part last year at the Apex and I was very pleased with the resulting exposure both times.

My goals for Nuun are to be able to continue designing and creating my work around the world. As for SOUGHA, my aspirations are as unlimited as they are for my country.

Nuun designs are available as part of Nourah’s extensive collections or as commissioned originals.

Do you consider Nuun to be an integral part of the growing arts movement in Saudi Arabia that is promoting progressive social reform?

Nuun is a French jewellery brand. I prefer to think of it as a cultural ambassador of the modern Saudi Arabian identity in Europe and hopefully in other parts of the world. It is my hope that Sougha, a new platform that aims to bring creatives together, will become a part of the establishment of a Saudi design industry.

Nuun Jewels has also partnered with Art of Heritage, a Riyadh-based center with one of the largest textile collections, to preserve local arts and crafts.

Nuun Jewels 71 Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore` 75008 Paris, France

Email: parisboutique@nuunjewels.com Website: nuunjewels.com

FEATURE

A Kingdom's Creative Re-Awakening

BY SAUDI DESIGN WEEK

From historical buildings wrapped in foil, art and design festivals, to Saudi talents making a splash on foreign waters, creativity has become a signpost of progress in Saudi Arabia.

The Buy-In

The biggest patron of the arts these days is the Saudi government, with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announcing that it will be pumping 64 billion dollars into the culture and entertainment industries. Aligned with this buyin is the establishment of different institutions that aim to elevate the creative and cultural endeavors of the Kingdom.

Another key player is the Misk Art Institute, led by Saudi contemporary artist, Ahmed Mater. It has been behind several art festivals both locally and abroad showcasing Saudi artists, and by 2020 it will be filling the infrastructure gap by opening a cultural center encompassing exhibition spaces and artist studios.

At the time of writing, the General Culture Authority, established in 2016, has been leading the development and revitalization of the literature, film, music, visual arts, and performance arts sectors.

All the way in Sharqiyah, Aramco's brainchild, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, is taking lead.It played host to the inaugural Tanween Creative last October 2018. The Center has also championed other creative

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initiatives, partnering with curators and cultural workers, and supporting festivals like the Saudi Design Week.

Independent Patrons and Actors

Grassroot creative communities, curators, and art/culture enterprises in Saudi Arabia pre-date the establishment of these institutions and government entities.

Jeddah, which is heralded as the creative capital, has an art strip consisting of galleries like Athr, Atelier Jeddah, Arabian Wings, and more. It is also the headquarters of the Saudi Art Council, the non-profit organization behind 21'39, a contemporary art festival whose name is derived from the coordinates of its west coast host. There is also an emerging artist neighborhood blossoming as of late, with creative talents building their own hubs and spaces.

There are curators who have done the groundwork and spearheaded privately-led exhibitions both locally and internationally-- from Raneem Bukhari of Desert Designs in Sharqiya, Gharem Studio that serves as an incubator for artists in Riyadh, to the independent curators of Jeddah like Zahra Bundakji, Raneen Farsi, and more.

Khashba crafts beautiful wood pieces inspired by Islamic art, Arabic calligraphy, Kufi letters with a touch of modern designs.

Raneen Bukhari, curator and co-founder of Desert Designs with her husband, Hisham Fageeh (actor and social media influencer)

These creative movements are not limited to the art scene of the country. Design as a community has been growing steadily as well through cultural entrepreneurs, makers, and private-led initiatives and platforms like Saudi Design Week. Behind the festival, are Basma and Noura Bouzo, founders as well of the first arts and culture magazine in the Kingdom, Oasis.

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Phonart Saudi booth at Saudi Design Week, the 2018 edition was held at the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue.

“SDW acts as an educational platform that helps designers launch their careers by giving them support through placing them in internships with international designers and giving them the opportunity to exhibit their work internationally. We have previously exhibited SDW designers’ work at the Salone del Mobile, London Design Week, Dubai Design Week, etc. To this effect, we are able to contribute to the overall economic, political and cultural prosperity of Saudi Arabia.

International visitors to SDW are always surprised by how much interest there is in design from local visitors. They are also sometimes surprised by the professionalism of our designers.

"Through SDW, we hope to foster a stronger and more visible local design community. Each year, we pride ourselves in seeing Saudi designers tackle projects that were cultivated through the connections and conversations that transpired within every edition.�

Saudi artists, makers, creative professionals alike are cultural ambassadors. Through them we are able to give the world access to our heritage, histories, and social predispositions.

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ASI Design Studio showcases an installation related to Sustainability in Design. ASI (Arts and Skills Institute) is the first center to offer fashion and visual arts diplomas in Riyadh. Their other sibling is L'art Pur Art Gallery.

Prince Turki Bin Faisal Al Saud with Rashed Al Araifi of Shepherd Studio at SDW.

Soft Diplomacy

At the end of the day, the success of the cultural sectors in Saudi Arabia will be a consolidated effort between government entities and community champions. We’ll also be seeing industry leaders wanting to invest in the Vision 2030 programs and participate in what would be a multibillion market in the coming decade.

With that said, the growth of arts and design in Saudi Arabia also acts as a conversation starter with our international counterparts and provides an opportunity for exchange, discourse, and trade.

Saudi Design Week (SDW) is the first and premiere design festival in the Kingdom.

Be Part of Saudi Design Week 2019 // “Happiness by Design” For creative collaborations and queries, email us at: info@saudidesignweek.com or follow us @SaudiDesignWeek

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Crafts of Saudi Arabia:

The Living Exhibition

BY MARGIE SARTAIN

Saudi Arabia holds a deep connection with the people of its past, one that has been fostered through a rich cultural and artisanal heritage that stretches back across centuries.

The Kingdom’s craftsmen and women serve as a crucial link between past and present, as they are the storytellers of their generation, representing those who have gone before them and educating those who will follow.

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Unglazed ceramics by Fatemah Hassanen.

FEATURE

The soon-to-open Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter will be permanently displaying the “Living Exhibition”. It will be visible throughout the entire hotel, with artwork featured in public areas such as the lobby and restaurant but also in the hotel rooms, spa and pool, enlivening the spaces with a sense of Saudi Arabia’s proud and vibrant heritage.

Ferran Brufau, the General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, is incredibly proud of the project, stating that, ‘this pioneering project has been a close collaboration, with each party working cohesively to ensure that the exhibition forms part of our unique identity. The exhibition pieces allow our guests to experience the rich culture of this country and its people when they enter the hotel’.

Each of the 1,000 plus pieces in the exhibition tell a captivating story unique to its maker. The 59 artisans featured in the exhibition hail from 6 different regions in Saudi Arabia: Qassim, Riyadh, Makkah, Bahah, Asir and the Eastern Province. Through a partnership between the Saudi Handicrafts Program at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and Turquoise Mountain, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation founded in 2006 by HRH The Prince of Wales, these artisans have been brought together in one of the largest artisanal joint project in the country to date.

Madain Saleh pedestals, hand-carved Tamarisk by Ali Bin Mahmoud Al Jasser, Qassim.

Painted panels triptych, hand-carved and painted by Ahmad AlFowzan, Qassim.

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Turquoise Mountain believes that the Living Exhibition will create a platform for these craftsmen and women to share their talents with the world, opening doors for collaboration, distribution, and exhibition of their works.

The project has also been especially important to local female artisans, who comprise more than 70% of the artisans who worked on the project. Throughout the hotel, there is a series of breathtaking plaster artworks, which were created by a group of female artisans in Jeddah. One of these artisans, Sharifa Al Ghamdi, explained, “traditional crafts are our identity, our national treasure and pride.”

Master artisan Fatemah Talal Hassenen, who hails from Jeddah, produced 120 ceramic pieces for the exhibition each incorporating traditional themes and patterns. Of her work, Hassanen says, “As a potter, each piece is an expression of myself, ceramics are a beautiful part of my life, and when I don’t practice my craft, I feel there is something that is fundamentally missing.”

Nora Shafi Al Qahanti is a Riyadh-based master quilter and artisan who completed the cut, make and trim of many, sedu, bisht and embroidery pieces in the Living Exhibition. Nora says that working with Turquoise Mountain and contributing to the Living Exhibition has helped her connect and collaborate with artisans across the country to produce beautifully finished world-class heritage pieces. The program has also resonated with her desire to champion education and the sharing of knowledge between local artisans.

The Asir Women's Collective in Abha.

Habib Farhan, master palm weaver from Hfouf.

A collection of handmade pieces on display in the Turquoise Mountain showroom.

Fatemah Talal Hassanen glazed ceramics in Jeddah.

Turquoise Mountain’s Communication’s Manager, Siwar Bandar, says ‘Watching artisans develop their unique voices, and watching them advocate for the importance of their work, not just personally, but for the country as well, has been very rewarding.’

Those involved with the project state their immense pride in being able to deliver such a progressive exhibition in Riyadh. The Living Exhibition showcases the stories of this country, giving its talented craftsmen and women a platform to share their unique cultural identities with a new audience.

The Living Exhibition has a beautiful life and soul embodied by the Arabic proverb shared by Siwar Bandar, “What comes from the lips reaches the ears but what comes from the heart, reaches the heart.”

The Living Exhibition will be open from April 1, 2019 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter. Guests and visitors of the hotel will also have the opportunity to buy some of these handmade pieces at the retail shop, taking home with them a piece of Saudi heritage and sharing beautiful stories that often go untold. The sales from these items directly benefit the artisans who will generate income and access new markets through the shop.

To find out more about Turquoise Mountain's fantastic work visit www.turquoisemountain.org/arabia A hand-painted traditional Nejd door by Ahmad Al Fowzan in Qassim.

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Marvelous Mauritius

BY NOORA DABBAGH AND FARIHA ESHRAT

Immerse in the splendor of Mauritius!

From its breathtaking beaches to its diverse landscapes and beautiful islands, this country is a top travel destination.

Experience all that this African Isle has to offer and enjoy infusing yourself in the delicate culture of the star and key of the Indian Ocean.

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GO The Republic of Mauritius is a magnificent island nation in Africa. With diverse economic and political freedom, the political system of Mauritius is closely modeled after the Westminster parliamentary system and the United Nations Human Development Index ranks Mauritius as one of the highest in Africa. The Mauritian economy is primarily driven by manufacturing, financial services, tourism, information and communication technology and the seafood industry. The people of Mauritius (Mauritians) are a multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual people, while the geographical landscape is known for its varied flora and fauna and sandy beaches. There are many islands to visit in Mauritius such as the Rodrigues Island, Agalega Island and some smaller islands off the coast.

The Republic of Mauritius Mauritius is the Indian Ocean’s sunniest capital and it offers a beach lover’s paradise that combines excellent urban experiences and natural activity options. Sapphire

blue ocean, porcelain white sand beaches, maritime heritage and one of the most spectacularly unspoilt coastlines in the world. Experience more than just amazing sunsets over the ocean at Mauritius, explore the fascinating, worldin-one-island slice of paradise whose very name conjures up images of tropical luxury and stupendous extravagance.

Regularly ranked in the top 10 world best destinations, the most recent award was World's Most Romantic Destination

by WorldTravel Awards 2018.

Mauritius is where you can watch an ocean sunset and sunrise from one of the 40 white sand beaches and relax in one of the world’s best hotels and never get bored with it. Mauritius offers year-round holiday weather, with almost daily sunshine and limited rainfall. During the winter season, Mauritius is the perfect paradise for sailing and wind sport enthusiast with wind speeds averaging 27 kilometers/hour, especially in the east and south coast. Many kite boarders and wind surfers return annually to Le Morne for the flat shallow waters in the protected lagoon with plenty of wind.

With calm shallow water extending over several hundred metres, Mauritius is perfect for the novice trying to learn to windsurf or kite surf. September through November are warmer months but everyone are kept cool by the welcome breezes. December through March tend to be the hottest months which makes swimming and ocean activities so refreshing.

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Bilateral ties with KSA The 51st anniversary of the independence of Mauritius was celebrated on March 12. Mauritius and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 1978. Historically, the Mauritius ambassador in Cairo was accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mauritius and Saudi Arabia have maintained a long standing relationship which was recently consolidated with the opening of the Mauritius Embassy in Riyadh in March 2017. This has facilitated the ease at which both countries conduct business between them and the various ministries. In 2018, Mauritius imports from Saudi Arabia totaled 1,654 million Mauritian rupees, whereas the exports to Saudi Arabia totaled 21.9 million rupees. Relations between the two countries have been further boosted by the operation of three weekly direct flights between Riyadh and Mauritius. Since then, the arrival of Saudi tourists in Mauritius has increased by over 300 percent. In 2018, 16,507 tourists from Saudi Arabia visited Mauritius. Moreover in the last year, four key Ministers from Saudi Arabia visited Mauritius: the Ministers of Hajj, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of State for African Affairs. Last year also marked the successful first participation of Mauritius in the Riyadh Travel Fair, represented by the Mauritian Minister of Tourism and a delegation of tour operators and travel agents.

The Mauritius Travel Fair as well as Tourism roadshows which will be held in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam in March will highlight and encourage tourism in Mauritius.

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Where To Go Fort Adelaide in the capital Port Louis is located on a hill overlooking the city and harbor. This is the fort that was built to guard the city against riots during the abolition of slavery. Today local and international concerts and artistic shows are performed there and it is definitely worth a visit for the stunning views from this vantage point.

Water sports paradise Ile aux Cerfs has the most attractive beaches of the island and offers lively boat-houses, restaurants, long beaches, tortoise farms and a delightful 18-hole golf course.

Case Noyale is a small fishing village, great for kitesurfers, experiencing the city like locals and the exquisite views from Chamarel and boat rides along the coast.

Pamplemousses holds a fascinating old cemetery, the 18th century church of St Francis of Assisi, and L'Aventure du Sucre, an exciting museum that relates the history of the island.

Rochester Falls out of Souillac is worth a visit. The road passes through the sugar refinery of Terracine. Over time, curious carvings have appeared in the lava shaped by the waters and green crystals were formed in the soil.

What To Do The West is the best place to swim and play with dolphins.

This attraction is famous among tourists in Mauritius. If you’re visiting Mauritius in September, you may even get to spot the whales as they migrate at that time of the year.

Shop top designer brands at bargain prices at the The Caudan Waterfront. This bustling, lively seafront has numerous restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines and artisanal shops to explore Mauritian art and literature.

Unique in Mauritius, Van Ann chocolates invite locals and tourists to visit their premises at Calebasse and enjoy their Belgian-style pralines.

Discover the remains of the volcanic activity that formed the island of Mauritius at Roches Noires Caves. Birds such as the Mauritian fruit bats and swallows live in these cool, dark caves. The numerous lava tubes connected to the sea, create cool freshwater springs for swimming and snorkelling among fishes.

Mountain climbing in the northern parts of the island is an exciting opportunity to take in the exquisite beauty of the island in one incredible experience.

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About the Ambassador

Mohamed Iqbal Latona Embassy of Mauritius

How did you get started being a diplomat?

After obtaining my bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delhi in India, I worked as an English language teacher in Zimbabwe which afforded me the opportunity to interact with diverse cultures and different ways of living.

This helped ignite an interest in a diplomatic career which started when I was assigned as Second Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs in Mauritius and at the Mauritius High Commission later in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I played a pivotal role at the United Nations (UN) Security Council in my role as Minister Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative in the Mauritius Mission to the UN as well as serving as the Coordinator of the Mauritius Delegation to the UN Security Council. Moreover I participated in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. I have held both bilateral and multiilateral posts, I have also served as Deputy High Commissioner in the Mauritius High Commission in London from 2004 to 2008. My most recent accomplishment was my involvement in the opening of the first Mauritius Embassy in Saudi Arabia and helping to enhance the relations between the two countries.

When were you posted to Saudi Arabia?/ How many years have you been in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?

I am stationed as Ambassador of Mauritius to Saudi Arabia since May 2017. In the span of two years I was delighted to oversee the opening of the Mauritius Embassy in Saudi Arabia and helping the smooth transition from limited representation where the Embassy in Cairo was previously responsible for handling Mauritian affairs in Saudi Arabia to having a fully functioning embassy. I am excited to have assumed such an important position at such a defining moment in history.

What was your reason/thoughts/feelings when you were given the assignment to become the ambassador to Saudi Arabia?

I was delighted by the opportunity and challenges in establishing in the embassy in Saudi Arabia. We started by establishing a base of networks with other embassies, ministries and organizations. Moreover, I am able to witness the monumental transformation that Saudi Arabia is undergoing as part of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. I have witnessed firsthand the changes from the ease of doing business, to the new entertainment and cultural activities that are readily available to women, including the opportunity to drive. It is a defining moment in Saudi Arabia’s history and I am excited to be a part of this change.

What do you like the most about living in Riyadh?

Riyadh offers a completely different culture than Mauritius and other countries where I have worked. I come at a unique time and it is extremely interesting to see the changes that the country is are undergoing. As a diplomat, I am living these changes on a day-to-day basis. The transformation and mega projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Riyadh Metro are outstanding.

What is the most challenging part of being the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia? What is the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect was establishing the embassy.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia has its own unique culture so there is a need to adapt oneself to that culture. For example the work culture is very different from what I have known so far and I have had to adapt myself accordingly. The most rewarding part is the operation of the direct flights from Riyadh to Mauritius, increasing the numbers of Saudis visiting Mauritius, and the visit from the esteemed Ministers, that I mentioned before. It is wonderful to see what we have achieved in such a short time.

What is a day of the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia like?

My team and I meet in the morning to review the issues at hand and I distribute the work for the day. Then I follow my schedule of the day. I attend various meetings at the respective ministries and meet other delegations from various countries. The evening is usually dedicated to attending various functions in the DQ including National Day celebrations, and receptions. Therefore my work is distributed between time spent at the Embassy and representing Mauritius at various events and occasions.

What do you like most about the DQ? I love the freedom of movement in the DQ, from walking around to visiting the trails. There is a real sense of community in the DQ. All the embassies are in close proximity, which allows me to get to know the other ambassadors on a personal level, as well as attend functions within the DQ and save time traveling from my home to the office.

Embassy of Mauritius Al Safarat, Riyadh 12512

Contact No: 011-482 9567 Email: eman@mauritiusembassy.com

EAT

Feel Good Food URTH CAFFÉ

BY JANELLE VALES-YASAY

With its long lines in the morning and busy nights, it took us quite a while before we finally set foot in Urth Caffé in Tahlia Street, the first of its branches in the Middle East.

The hype is real. It’s truly worth the wait. Urth Caffé ticks off every box in one’s gustatory bucket list.

Urth Caffé in Riyadh been a top-rated restaurant ever since it opened in 2017. Its rich history and unique features got everyone talking. The brand started in Los Angeles around 30 years ago; it was the dream of Jilla and Shallom Berkman who decided to become pioneers in health-conscious coffee after an encounter with farmers producing organic, heirloom coffee in Peru. Urth Caffé derived its name from the old Welsh root spelling of Earth and the Italian word for coffee. With its slogan of “people, planet, pleasure”, Urth Caffé cares about the planet and its people.

The two-story café in Riyadh is the first to serve exclusively heirloom, organic coffees in the Gulf. It welcomes guests with a display of their baked goods from luscious pies to decadent cakes to simple yet hearty breads. The interiors composed of retro photos in the walls, furniture with pops of colors, and trees illuminated by fairy lights in the middle of the dining area are appealing and enchanting. The kitchen channels the magic with mostly organic food with options of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Vitality and variety is clearly visible in their menu. Their breakfast fare is pretty popular and diverse; a great way 38

to start a day. The salads, sandwiches, and main courses, made up of the freshest ingredients, are flavorful and well-balanced. The Caravan Kale Salad is a great starter with its organic Tuscan kale, red quinoa, and heirloom tomatoes. Pizzas are available all day! The Melanzane Pizza is a wonderful cornucopia of house roasted eggplant, parmigiano reggiano, fresh basil and tomato sauce on a thin crust with a crisp so fine and satisfying. The Lasagne Bolognese is subtle in its flavor but it kept us coming back for more spoonful. The addition of pistachios is surprising but its crunch is very much welcome. The Beef Sliders blew our taste buds away! Even though Riyadh has a lot of burger joints, we’ve never had something this juicy, flavorful, and solid burger in a while. Urth Caffe serves comfort food that are fresh and exuberant in its promises and delivers wonderfully.

Their freshly-baked breads and desserts are equally spectacular, if not more. The display of sweets upon opening their door makes a statement: this is a place for everyone.

Whether you’re a family with kids picky on food, a group of girlfriends catching up, a group in talks of business, there’s a special bread or cake made in house that suits you.

The Tre Latti, a vanilla sponge cake soaked in 4 different sweet milk, is the sensible choice; it’s the one people are raving about. But the pies were the ones that beckoned.

The Sweet Potato Pie was glorious in its smoothness and creaminess while the Banoffee Pie got us with its varying textures: soft bananas, smooth cream, and gritty in a good way crust.

Urth Caffé owes its stellar reputation to its coffee and teas.

Sourced from various parts of the world, Urth’s coffee is carefully selected, roasted using secret techniques, and blended well to lure out its full potential in flavor depth and complexity. The tastes vary from season to season but their signature blends are always the best of each season’s coffee crop. We tasted that in their must-try Italian Cappuccino. This coffee shop was also one of the first cafés that brought the Spanish Latte to Riyadh.

The same high quality goes with Urth’s teas which are sourced from the most famous tea gardens in the world.

The Urth Iced Tea has a unique flavor and the Boba drinks made from different kinds of organic tea, milk and tapioca pearls are a hit. We highly-recommend the Organic Green Tea Boba and Thai Red Tea Boba. Whether on ice or blended, they’re both refreshing.

Apart from the branch in Tahlia Street, Urth Caffé has a branch in Le Prestige Mall in Jeddah and a food truck in Oud Square in the Diplomatic Quarter, which is also available for private events. A full restaurant with gorgeous outdoor seating will soon open in the same area.

We are so glad we finally tried Urth Caffé. Unbeknownst to us, we’ve been missing on good food and good beverage for quite a while. It truly embodies the values and principles it stands for. By providing organic drinks and healthy options combined with attentive service and directed by its love for nature and people, Urth Caffé makes us want to linger longer in its unique, noteworthy space. We don’t want to leave; we’re in this for the sustainable gustatory journey.

Urth Caffé Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243 New branch soon to open in Oud Square.

They also have a branch at Dubai's Citywalk.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM-1:00 AM Contact No.: 9200 07498

Your Jeddah Sanctuary Awaits

Located on Tahlia Street in the heart of Jeddah’s business and shopping district, Assila Hotel is the ideal destination for your next business trip or leisure getaway.

E

uropean warmth and style coupled with traditional Arabian hospitality makes for the perfect combination.

Assila Hotel is designed by Olga Polizzi, Director of Design for Rocco Forte Hotels together with world renowned designer Martin Brudnizki. It is the first art hotel in Saudi Arabia featuring around 2000 unique pieces by Saudi artists.

Assila Hotel has a prime location in the heart of Jeddah’s business and shopping district. It’s a mere 20-minute drive from the airport, 15 minutes away from the corniche and 45 minutes from the holy city of Makah. Offering hospitality that is honed by four generations, the service at this Rocco Forte hotel is at its best! It has been in the headlines recently after hosting the Juventus football club last month.

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The entire property, with its two towers and over 30 floors combined, is spread over 10,000 square meters The hotel welcomes guests in their 147 rooms, 63 suites, and 94 residential suites. A royal suite gives one of the best views of the city. Events and functions are done in their ballroom for up to 288 guests and their dedicated meeting floor has 11 rooms, a reception, business center, and lounge all with high-speed wifi access. Their on-property parking area can accommodate up to 550 cars. Whatever the need is, the hotel delivers outstandingly!

When it’s time to escape the hurried pace of city life, the Assila Spa provides serenity and relaxation with their spa centers. Their Assila Spa for Him has a rooftop pool, 4 treatment rooms, gym, squash courts, barber shop, and lounge whil their Assila Spa for Her has 3 treatment rooms, gy, and a beauty salon. Both spas have sauna, steam rooms, experience shower, and relaxation room. They’re the perfect places to unwind!

Dining is also a unique experience at the hotel with its restaurants and bars taking guests on a culinary adventure.

From Aubergine that swerves Arabic and Mediterranean fare to Pampas that sizzles the night with its Argentinian grill to Twenty Four that serves international buffet cuisine, there’s a lot of choices to satisfy gustatory cravings. The night can be capped off with some coffee and dessert in CoCo’Ba or Il Caffé, their coffe shop with a terrace.

Beginning February 22, Assila Hotel is elevating Jeddah's brunch scene with their Market Style Friday Family Brunch which brings actual street markets of the world under one roof. The live cooking stations, international cuisines, grill and seafood, hot and cold beverages, and wide selections of salads and desserts create a nice, robust atmosphere to guests who will partake in the brunch. There are food and treats for all ages!

Just imagine bringing your family to a place where they can partake in great food at a setting that not only delights but also warms the heart with its energetic ambiance and topnotch, attentive service.

More offers in their other restaurants include executive lunches at Twenty-Four for SR 111 including VAT and a rib eye steak promo for SR 222 at Pampas. Enjoy afternoon high tea on Saturdays at Il Caffe and live music and dinner every Friday at Aubergine. Indulge in decadent chocolates at CoCoBa by buying 20 and getting 6 pralines for SR 80. Different offers for different cravings, Assila has them all for you!

The marriage of European and Arabian sensibilities and architecture, sophistication and warmth, makes Assila Hotel unique. Truly, it’s the perfect sanctuary in Jeddah. And it’s waiting for you.

Assila Hotel

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz St. (Tahlia Street) Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Contact No.: +966 12 231 9800 Email: reservations.assila@roccofortehotels.com roccofortehotels.com/assila-hotel Social Media: @AssilaHotel / @assila_hotel 41

USHAIGER

The Village Where Time Stood Still

BY YANA MURASH

Time goes by so fast. We blink and we miss a lot of moments; a lot of opportunities. But there are places that let us travel back in time if only for a day or a moment. Set foot in Ushaiger Heritage Village. Blink and feast your eyes with Saudi Arabia’s history, culture, and heritage in one of its oldest towns.

If you are ever visiting Saudi Arabia, you must visit the remarkable historical village of Ushaiger located 200 km north of Riyadh. This village lies in the heart of the Najd, the central plateau of the Arabian Peninsula.

Ushaiger means “small blonde”, and the village was named after the color of a small hill which lays at the north of the village. Although it is made of red rock, lo42

cals say the Arabic word for red could also be used for blonde in the old days. The village, now being restored by its residents and their descendants, is organized into seven districts.

At the entrance to the village you are greeted by a huge wooden gate set in a red mud wall. This huge wall continues all around village acting as its security fence. With Ushaiger’s over 400 mud houses, you will see unique doors decorated with traditional geometric shapes. Behind many doors are internal courtyards, some with gar-

DISCOVER

dens and orchards, where the rustle of palm trees brings you back to a time long gone but never forgotten.

With a little adventure and careful walking, some of the buildings and courtyards can be explored. There are two water wells in the village, now dry at their depth. Alongside each well is a 15 to 20 meter long dual camel track, where the desert animals once walked to and fro to raise buckets of water to irrigate the land and provide water to the people.

In the center of the village, some residents have opened up their homes as museums where vintage items are displayed to reveal how they lived back in the day. Several prominent persons of history, art and culture call Ushaiger their home. These include Islamic scholar Sheikh Al-Othaimeen and preacher Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahab, as well as prominent tribes and families like the AlThani, Al-Elsheikh, and Al-Misnad.

After a historical and cultural immersion, Ushaiger provides relaxing spots to guests. There are some small shops for souvenirs and snacks, and two very enjoyable cafes.

One café serves a wide range of food from local recipes handed from generation to generation, under the cover of palm fronds, giving cooler air and shade from the sun. The other café offers tea and Arabic coffee, with tables and chairs arranged in secluded positions in the gardens and walkways. In the evenings, these are traded for carpets and cushions on several stone platforms that overlook the central stream.

The area where Ushaiger is located is close to amazing red sand dunes which flow and change with the winds.

A day trip to Ushaiger is a must for every resident and tourist in the Kingdom.

While the sands of time trickle, the “small blonde” also lives on.

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SHOP

Curators of Art Supplies

BY KELLY DOWNING

Gone are the days of overflowing suitcases with art supplies purchased on overseas trips. Today, the artists of Riyadh have their choice of locally-sourced supplies with the quality to match their talents. A variety of paints, sculpting clays, drawing pencils, charcoals, inks, and canvases. These are all found in abundance in the city’s art stores. Here are four must-visit shops that offer the instruments to bring creative thoughts to life.

Color Theory: Artist Owned

The first thing you notice when entering this store is a public bulletin board, a sure indication of the community vibe within. Local artists’ paintings and handcrafts are on display and available for sale. Most notable of all, the owner, Ahmed, skillfully balances greeting his customers with answering questions about the products, including the helpful advice of where you can purchase an out-of-stock item. All of these qualities make the store a standout. But, do they actually have the products? Oh yes, they do. With a product collection curated by the artist-owner, there are hard-to-find practical pieces (such as a large selection of pigment markers) along with intriguing mediums that a creative mind may want to experiment with. Unique items include wood slices and trunks, alcohol inks, crystal resin, soap base, and chunky yarn.

Location: 2656 Shaikh Abudullah Al Anqari Street, Salah Ad Din Hours: 4PM-10:30PM daily Phone: 0534883311 Social Media: @colortheoryksa

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More art supplies and stores in Riyadh: SAMA Shop and Tihama Online stores that ships to KSA: thelittlesouq.com / dickblick.com / eckersleys.com.au / dharmatrading.com

Curio Art Supplies: Specialized Variety

Three-story windows invite you in, creating a modern feel in this store. Products are notably sourced from different countries – Japan, USA, UK, Netherlands, France - presumably chosen with quality in mind. Abundant shelf space allows for many varieties of the same type of product to be found. If you’re looking for a particular shade or finish, you may have your choice here. For example, in the fabric dyes category, acid, procion, silk, dy-na-flow, solar fast, tie dye, and inkjet printable sheets are all available. Unique products include powdered pigments, mason jars, and specialty spray paints (magnetic, dry erase, glow in the dark and chalkboard).

Location: 2448 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd (Thalatheen St) & Prince Turki Bin Adulzaziz Al Awwal Rd, Al Mathar Ash Shamali Hours: 9 AM- 11PM (Friday from 4PM) Phone: 0110240777 Website: www.curioartsupplies.com Instagram & Facebook: @curioartsupplies Twitter: @CurioKSA

Jarir: Box Store Assortment

Known mostly for its books and electronics selection, Jarir Bookstore has gained a reputation for a notable arts and crafts department. Here you will find the basics to get started in almost any type of art form you can imagine, as well as obscure items to make your Pinterest dreams come true.

Unique items include oversize sets of drawing pens and sketch markers, supplies for paper mache, mosaics, leathercraft, metal craft, and block printing.

Locations: Many locations including Althagir Plaza Hiteen, Rubeen Plaza Hiteen, Panorama Mall, Olaya Street, Exit 5, Exit 6, Hayat Mall, Narjis, Alhamra, Khorais Road, Rabwah, Malaz Hours: Vary by location Phone: 920000089 Website: www.jarir.com Social Media: @jarirbookstore

Al Shark Book Store: A Treasure Hunt

Don’t write this store off for being located in a souq. This is the original one-stop shop for art, craft and stationary supplies. With two floors, you could spend hours shopping here. Head directly to the right side of the store to scour the art supplies. Shopping here is an adventure as you walk the endless aisles and find yourself digging through boxes on the floor. Yet, the experience is worth it when treasure is found. It’s likely that you’ll find exactly what you came to find on the well-stocked shelves. It’s equally as likely that you’ll leave with an armful of items that are just perfect for something else unexpected. Unsurprisingly, quality and price vary.

Location: The SE corner of Souq Taiba facing Olaya Street.

Second location in Alquds.

Hours: 8:30AM-12PM & 4PM-10:30PM (No morning shift on Friday) Phone: 0114546823

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EVENTS

Saudi Heritage and Fine Art on Exhibit In honor of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, the governor of Riyadh, L’Art Pur Foundation in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives presents the Saudi Heritage - Contemporary Fine Art Exhibition titled "Love Your Heritage 5".

The event is being held at the Mud Houses, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Al Murabaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Love Your Heritage” is an initiative of Princess Adwa bint Yazid bin Abdullah, founder of L’Art Pur Foundation. Her choice of the King Abdulaziz Museum, a mud house building, as the location of this initiative is perfect because it houses artifacts that show the rich history of Saudi Arabia. These historical treasures will continue to inspire the next generation to think about their past and interpret it for the future.

The exhibition showcases contemporary art inspired by the Kingdom’s culture and heritage. The group consists of 24 artists: Ibrahim Al Fassam , Aljohara Saud, Blqees Alsultan, Zeinab Al Mahoozi, Hasanin Al Ramel, Hussain Alismail, Reem Al Omran Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz, Alia Mardini, Ola Hejazi, Abeer Al Towaim, Obeid Bahumei, Fahad Kholeif, Fahad Aljomid, Lamia Alhakbani, Abdulaziz, Mohammad Alrubat, Maha Matran, Maram Al Noweijem, Moath Alofi, Huda Albakri, Vox Group, and Phonart group with the special participation of the Saudi Memorabilia – Private Collection of Sultan ALKathiri and Studio Keramos for ceramics.

The event is ongoing from Saturday to Thursday until March 28, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. 46

Turkey Welcomes Spring

BY ROSITSA DOROVSKA

Have you ever seen ambassadors jumping over fire? If the answer is yes, then you have probably been among the attendees of the Turkish Spring Festival in Riyadh, which was held last March 9, 2019 at the Turkish Embassy in the Diplomatic Quarter.

.The guests were enjoying delicious Turkish food like simit and dondurma, the Turkish ice cream served in a playful manner. Meanwhile, folkloric dances and songs were presented by performers wearing traditional clothes. They have greatly contributed to this pleasure for all the senses.

With this traditional ritual for the spring festival of Nowruz, the Ambassador of Turkey to Saudi Arabia, HE Erdogan Kok, along with his colleagues from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, inaugurated the event.

Some of the artists were in Riyadh to represent their countries at the Nomad Universe held during the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to try the artists’ original attire and take pictures with them. There were plenty of kids activities in the Spring Festival such as face painting, bouncy castles, crafts and lots of cotton candy.

It was a great delight, not only for the officials and Turklish community in Riyadh, but for the whole DQ as well. The venue was crowded, colorful and joyful. The alleys around the embassy were like models of the famous Kapali Carsi in Istanbul filled with a variety of traditional goods on display

А message for peаce and friendship, the Turkish Spring Festival really felt like a celebration of a beginning and awakening of a new season.

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France Brings Classical Music To Life As the theater’s spotlight aims at the stage of the Cultural Palace, a young gentleman enters with his violin and another follows suit, taking his place at the grand piano. They are Omer Bouchez and Geoffroy Couteau, about to perform the works of legendary composers such as Kreisler, Mozart and Brahms.

Both raised in France, their passion for music began at an early age. Omer discovered his love for classical music at age six, and began to play the violin with the support of his family. Geoffroy was a young gymnast at first but the piano at their home seemed to call his attention more as he grew. They went on to become students at musical conservatories and began garnering critical acclaim soon thereafter. Since meeting each other five years ago, they have been able to perform at different parts of the world.

“Classical music can be perceived as a “dusty” art (form), but it is very rich.” says Omer. Geoffroy adds, “With music, you can discover something new in yourself. It has a way of moving you.” And so it did at the night of their performance, as they played several sonatas with such intensity, passion and universality that the audience felt the story behind each piece. Their own distinct skills as a violinist and pianist shone through their instruments and including their physical movements.

When asked about what their further aspirations were in their career, the two answered with such depth.

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Omer said, “It is never finished. There is no point in being totally accomplished. I always want to seek excellence; and truth. To be as close to the truth as the composer wants.

I want to be a messenger of what the composer wanted to say and to say it as alive as possible.” “The main goal is to play well. And hope that one day, you will play as you dream it” added Geoffroy.

The Embassy of France, along with the Alliance Francaise KSA and the General Diplomatic Quarter Authority, were all to thank for the concert event held last February 25.

French Ambassador Mr. Francois Gouyette was among other diplomats and guests in attendance.

German Embassy Showcases Work of Saudi Artists On February 25, 2019, German Ambassador Jรถrg Ranau and his wife Heike Ranau hosted the opening reception of a contemporary art exhibition in their residence. The exhibition showcased the works of seven Saudi artists: sculptors Talal Al Tokhais, Mohammed Al Thaqafi and Ali Al Tokhais, as well as painters Najla Al Saleem, Fahad Al Naima, Shuruq Al Safran and Talal Al Zeid. The joyful and festive event brought together about 80 dignitaries, business people, academics, and artists as well as members of the German community and the Saudi civil society to celebrate the rich artistic scene in Saudi Arabia. The exhibition was opened for two days (February 26 and 27) for the general public to see the artworks.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ranau referred to the cultural traditions of Saudi Arabia which have influenced the contemporary art works displayed at the exhibition.

He also commended the artists for their success in reaching out to international audiences as many of them have already exhibited in the USA, Europe and the Gulf region, some of them even in Germany.

Following his short speech, Ambassador Ranau moved on to unveil together with the artist Talal Al Zeid a so called Buddy Bear. The bear which is a symbol of Berlin can be found in many places in Berlin and abroad. While their shape is identical, their design is usually made by a local artist, showing the connections between the two countries. Over the last weeks, Talal Al Zeid worked on the bear which now features a street-art-design inspired by Saudi motifs. It is the first Buddy Bear in Saudi Arabia. Following the exhibition the German Embassy seeks to display the bear at a location accessible to the general public.

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Bangladesh Embassy Celebrates Departing Ambassadors On Thursday 14th March, the Bangladesh Embassy of Riyadh in the Diplomatic Quarter hosted an ambassadors’ dinner to bid farewell to Ambassador Ahmed Javed of India and Ambassador Bakyt Batyrshayev of Kazakhstan. The grand farewell for the outgoing ambassadors was attended by all embassies and senior diplomatic staff of the organising Bangladesh embassy.

Ambassador Golam Moshi of Bangladesh paid a glowing tribute to the outgoing ambassadors, highlighting the strong brotherly partnership of Bangladesh and India even in the Kingdom. Ambassador Golam Moshi presented Am-

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bassador Ahmed Javed and Ambassador Bakyt Batyrshayev with crests to honor the amazing work they did during their tenure in the Kingdom. Ambassador Golam Moshi’s spouse presented a gift to the spouse of Ambassador Ahmed Javed and she thanked her for her kindness.

The evening was followed by a splendid dinner and friendly conversations between the ambassadors in attendance.

The attendees all enjoyed the hospitality of Ambassador Golam Moshi, his wife, Dr Mohammed Abul Hasan and other senior diplomatic members of the Bangladesh Embassy.

Tous Releases New Collection for Mother’s Day In recognition of all mothers’ selflessness and endless sacrifices, TOUS held a glamourous event at Al-Faisaliyah Hotel in Riyadh on March 18, where it officially released its new collection. VIPs and their mothers as well as elite businesswomen, social media influencers and members of the press attended the event.

Tous, the leading Spanish innovative brand in the world of jewelry and accessories, has launched a unique, modern and elegant collection of jewelry designed especially for the Mother’s Day. The collection will make each and every mother feel like a bright star, filling her heart with joy and gladness.

The new collection includes a mini girl, boy and heart icons in the form of a pendant. It was made of 18-karat yellow gold and mother-of-pearls as well as sterling silver and colored gemstones, which completed the collection. It also consisted of necklaces, bracelets and pendants made of 18-karat yellow gold and diamonds, rose gold vermeil sterling silver with colored sapphires and sterling silver.

The breathtaking features of the new collection impressed all attendees with its elegant and fine designs, inspired by the role and importance of mothers. Sons and daughters can choose from the different items of the collection and give it to their mothers as a gift in recognition of their sacrifices and as a way of showing gratitude to them.

Various entertainment events for mothers and daughters were organized and different design contests were held during the event.

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MEET

Abdallah Hachem

Photographer

Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.

Tell us about yourself.

I am from Lebanon and have been in the Kingdom for almost five years now. I have been working for the German Embassy since 2014 and am also a photographer for 13 embassies within the DQ. I would describe myself as adventurous, courageous, gregarious, and ambitious.

Tell us about your hobbies.

I really enjoy photography. I love how the camera is like a save button and it enables you to freeze the nice moments in life. I have my own studio to book photo sessions now and you can see and follow my work on Facebook and Instagram (facebook.com/Hachem.Photography and instagram. com/Hachem.Photography) I also enjoy jogging. I’m in love with all the trails we have within the Diplomatic Quarter. I go for jogs with my colleagues once a week and it’s such a great experience.

What brought you to Riyadh?

I got an offer while I was studying in Syria to work at the German Embassy in Riyadh. My contract was for four months.

My plan was to save some money to buy my dream camera.

When I returned to Syria, I wanted to open a small photog-

raphy business while finishing my Masters degree. However, I was offered a fixed contract to continue working at the embassy in Riyadh. I decided to stay and fulfill what I had planned to do in Syria here in Saudi Arabia instead.

What changes have you experienced in Riyadh since you first came here?

To be honest, my first year in Saudi was not the best until I was able to create a network with the different embassies; it’s getting better everyday. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has become a more fun place with a lot of amazing events and activities.

What were your first impressions of the Diplomatic Quarter?

I moved to the DQ in November 2018. Moving to the DQ made my life much easier. I live a five minute walk away from my work and it takes minutes to get to any embassy here.

I also now own a place to setup my studio and do photo sessions here.

What do you like most about the DQ? What is something you wish the DQ had, but currently doesn’t?

I really like that all the embassies are located here. I also really like the trails and the gardens around the DQ. I really wish the DQ had its own group of photographers.

Lastly, do you have any tips for your DQ neighbors?

Send your embassy an email that you are living in the DQ and would like to get invited to their events if possible. Once you attend, don’t forget to give out your business cards because they're very useful to know more people. Once you start your journey of building connections and making friends, you will enjoy your life in Saudi Arabia more. Don’t forget to invite me to your events!

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