French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture
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In his talk, Caye explored the role of ornamental art — from both Eastern and Western traditions — in bridging cultures and societies. (AN/photo)
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Updated 01 March 2025
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French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

French expert explores ornamentation as a cultural bridge in Jeddah lecture

Jeddah: Pierre Caye, head of the French Institute of Islamology, recently gave a lecture titled “Ornament at the Service of Cultural Dialogue” at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.

The lecture was organized by the Alliance Francaise Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France and the French Research Centre of the Arabian Peninsula in Jeddah.

In his talk, Caye explored the role of ornamental art — from both Eastern and Western traditions — in bridging cultures and societies.

“Through ornamental art, which circulates quickly, fluidly, and in a very present manner, we witness a natural revival, one in which modern art connects with the past,” Caye told Arab News. “It is an incredibly stimulating and exciting process.

“Ornamentation is a universal form of art. From ancient times to today, it has been present across all cultures, both East and West. Ornament is found everywhere —whether in music, architecture, calligraphy, rhetoric, or decorative arts, even in religious and sacred arts,” he continued. “In fact, no artistic activity is exempt from ornamentation. It is a privileged means of dialogue between cultures.”

Caye also shared his admiration for Jeddah’s historical charm. “I was amazed by the restoration in Al-Balad. It was a perfect introduction to my lecture, an entry point that allowed me to explore my journey with wooden ornaments and the intricate wooden craftsmanship seen in Roshan windows,” he said.

Caye is also the director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, and has devoted much of his career to exploring the sources of European artistic and moral culture.

He has directed international research groups on topics including “Artistic knowledge and art treatises from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment,” and has published several books and articles on the subject.

His current role at the French Institute of Islamology allows him to continue exploring the intersection of art and culture.

During the lecture, an interesting exchange arose regarding the religious significance of ornamental art. Caye reflected on this dialogue, saying, “In Europe, religious art was traditionally associated with painting and grand works of art. But for Islam, ornamental art holds great religious importance. I was told that these patterns carry high religious significance; they serve as a way to connect with divinity, with infinity.

“This theological approach presents challenges for me. The link between art and theology is a complex issue, one that’s difficult to interpret, as these connections vary across religions and societies.”

Caye’s lecture provided insights into how ornamental art serves not only as aesthetic expression but also as a cultural and spiritual bridge between civilizations. He highlighted the rich, multifaceted nature of art and its profound ability to connect people across time, space, and belief systems.

Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise in Jeddah, said: “Pierre Caye was able to engage our audience in Jeddah on the cultural significance of ornamental art across societies. We are proud to welcome such esteemed experts in their field to Saudi Arabia for the first time.”


Saudi Information Minister: 250,000 pilgrims have arrived through Makkah Route Initiative

Saudi Information Minister: 250,000 pilgrims have arrived through Makkah Route Initiative
Updated 34 sec ago
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Saudi Information Minister: 250,000 pilgrims have arrived through Makkah Route Initiative

Saudi Information Minister: 250,000 pilgrims have arrived through Makkah Route Initiative

Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims

Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims
Updated 1 min 12 sec ago
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Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims

Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims
  • Abdullah Al-Swaha visits holy sites, meets IT volunteers
  • Makkah, Madinah will be served by 10,500 Wi-Fi access points

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of communications and information technology has been reviewing preparations for the provision of telecommunications services to pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season.

Abdullah Al-Swaha was accompanied by Haytham Al-Ohali, acting governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, on a tour of holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Al-Ohali said the commission was committed to providing reliable communication and technology services in cooperation with public and private entities.

He said that there were more than 10,500 Wi-Fi access points across Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites, where 5G and 4G coverage had reached 99 percent. Mobile internet speeds reached 264Mbps in Makkah and 336Mbps in Madinah, the report said.

The officials also visited King Abdulaziz International Airport, Halat Ammar Border Crossing, Yanbu Port and Jadidat Arar Border Crossing, as well as facilities operated by national telecom and tech companies Stc, Mobily, Zain and Tawal to review network performance and assess their operational and emergency plans.

Al-Swaha praised their efforts to provide reliable services and highlighted their role in maintaining strong digital connectivity at the holy sites, the report said.

The minister also met some of the more than 200 technology volunteers who will be working during Hajj to provide technical support.

The volunteers are supported by the Awon Tech Charitable Society, which provides training in digital skills and support services in collaboration with public entities and the communications ministry.

Al-Swaha commended Awon Tech’s efforts to apply technology in support of Hajj operations, noting its contribution to service improvement and infrastructure support.

Such initiatives would enhance the pilgrim experience and reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient services, he said.


Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in ‘Tiny Homes’

Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
Updated 26 May 2025
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Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in ‘Tiny Homes’

Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
  • Artwork combines cultural elements using recycled materials
  • Mexican ambassador in Riyadh says exhibition is ‘incredible’

RIYADH: Mexican artist Erika Place has been living in Riyadh for 14 years and through her work highlights key elements of Saudi and Mexican culture.

In her pieces created using recycled materials, Place combines key elements of both cultures including Mexican-inspired colors, architecture and major Saudi landmarks such as the Kingdom and Faisaliah towers.

“It is in Saudi Arabia that I got inspired,” Place told Arab News at her recent exhibition “Tiny Homes,” hosted at the Mexican ambassador’s residence in Riyadh.

“I have been here 14 years and I consider this place my home, and I feel at home. I do miss Mexico but I don’t feel that I am not home here,” she said.

Born in Guadalajara, Place moved to Europe at a young age. She always had a passion for art but never realized her talents until later in life when she moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 2012.

In the Kingdom Place’s artistic vision was realised, and she began to draw inspiration from the country’s landscapes, architecture and people.

“I made this my home and the experience has been beautiful,” she told Arab News.

Mexico’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez-Toledo, hosted the exhibition and gave his perspective on Place’s art.

“She is a self-taught artist, and what she has been doing is incredible. After many years of practice and discipline, the outcome is noteworthy,” Gomez-Toledo said.

In her art, Place takes discarded small boxes and turns them into tiny homes and tiny villages, repurposing materials that would have otherwise end up in a landfill.

Place believes that this is her way to help the environment, by reducing waste and giving new purpose to products that can still be useful.

She takes these recycled materials, paints them, and gives them a new life that reflects Saudi landscapes and culture through the bright and vibrant colors of Mexico.

“For me the Mexican touch is the colors. In Mexico, we have colors everywhere, the Mexican touch is putting colors in my paintings,” Place said.

During his remarks, the Gomez-Toledo said: “Generally speaking, after using something, you throw it away and forget about it. However, can you imagine how many tonnes of waste there are worldwide?”

Gomez-Toledo underlined that, according to the World Bank, as of 2020 there were 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated annually and that by 2050, global waste generation is expected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes a year.

“The global production of paper and cardboard waste is over 400 million tonnes annually, paper and cardboard are the materials Erika has used to create tiny homes,” he said.

In her works, Place also depicts scenes of Saudi life, portraying people dressed in traditional thobes and abayas.

Through her art, Place invites visitors to explore the diversity of Saudi Arabia through the tiny cardboard homes she creates.


Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

RIYADH: A joint Saudi-French archeological mission to excavate ancient sites on Farasan Island, in the Jazan region, has been concluded by the Heritage Commission.

The initiative, in collaboration with Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University, featured a team of experts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It aimed to reveal settlement phases and chronological sequences at the excavation sites — Qusar, Ghurrayn, and Wadi Shami, which date from the first to third centuries — as well as study various burial grounds.

The work is part of a scientific project highlighting the historical and strategic importance of the Farasan archipelago, particularly its key role in maritime trade across the Red Sea through various historical periods.

It included male and female students from national universities, as well as participants from Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University.

Previous excavations under the same project, which took place from 2011 to 2024, have yielded significant findings dating back to the Bronze Age and the periods of Southern Arabian states.

Discoveries have included watchtowers and industrial sites believed to be remnants of a camp dating back to the second century B.C.

The findings underscore the rich cultural exchange that took place on Farasan Island, highlighting its pivotal role in connecting Southern Arabian civilizations with those of the Mediterranean. Prehistoric shell mounds and human settlements further emphasize the islands’ historical significance.


Saudi source denies recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom

Saudi source denies recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi source denies recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom

Saudi source denies recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom
  • False claims lack any official confirmation and do not reflect existing policies or regulations

Riyadh: Claims carried by a number of foreign media outlets suggesting that Saudi Arabia is planning to license alcohol sales starting in 2026, are false. According to informed Saudi sources, “these claims lack any official confirmation from relevant authorities and do not reflect existing policies or regulations in Saudi Arabia.” 

The sources told Arab News that Saudi Arabia, under its ambitious vision to develop the tourism sector, remains committed to offering a unique and culturally immersive experience. This approach has been well-received by international visitors who come to explore the Kingdom’s rich heritage and diverse natural landscapes.

Regarding alcohol regulations for non-Muslim diplomats, the sources clarified that Saudi Arabia has introduced a new framework aimed at preventing the unauthorized use of diplomatic shipments. Under these new measures, embassies of non-Muslim countries are no longer permitted to import alcohol and certain other items in diplomatic shipments. However, controlled access to such goods remains possible under strict regulatory guidelines to prevent misuse.

The sources also noted the significant growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. In 2024, the country welcomed 29.7 million international tourists, an 8% increase compared to 27.4 million in 2023. Additionally, total tourism spending—both domestic and international—reached 283.8 billion SAR with 168.5 billion SAR contributed by foreign visitors, underscoring the sector’s vital role in supporting the national economy.