12th International Festival of Arabic Calligraphy kicks off in Medea

MEDEA- The 12th International Festival of Arabic Calligraphy, featuring numerous national and international calligraphers, kicked off Monday at the Hassan-El-Hassani Cultural Center, in Medea.

[ecr] Sixty-two calligraphers, including forty from twenty-one provinces, and twenty-two other foreign calligraphers from countries such as Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Jordan, Libya, and Saudi Arabia take part in this festival, announced the festival commissioner, Abderrazak Karabernou.

An exhibition featuring no less than 120 calligraphic works in classical and letterist styles is scheduled to take place until October 31.

Speaking to the APS at the festival's opening, participants highlighted the high level of creativity that Arabic calligraphy has reached, especially in Algeria.

The participants further highlighted the efforts of calligraphers both in Algeria and throughout the Arab world to establish it as a recognized art form.

According to Jordanian calligrapher Rifaet Mohamed Bouize, "Arabic calligraphy has evolved remarkably and has placed itself among other arts."

This evolution was recognized in 2021, when UNESCO listed amongst the world’s intangible heritage," he said. 

For his part, Algerian calligrapher Mustapha Meche said that "Arabic calligraphy has made significant strides thanks to the artistic work accomplished by generations of calligraphers and their constant pursuit of creativity and originality."

Besides the exhibition, the 12th International Festival of Arabic Calligraphy will host training workshops and presentations led by professional calligraphers, added Karabernou. 

Themed “To Palestine, Victory and Loyalty,” the event honors the legacy of the visual artist and former director of the National Museum of Illumination, Miniature, and Calligraphy, Mustapha Belkahla, who passed away in 2023, the festival commissioner announced.

A competition will be held during the festival, and the three best works in classical calligraphy and letterism will be awarded at the end of the competition, he concluded. [/ecr]