Saudi Gazette

OKAZ Organization for Press and Publication treated the good number of visitors with a marvelous evening on Thursday at Okaz Theater with the launch of the Saudi National Day celebration — “Kollana Salman”.

The celebration will continue till Saturday, when Arabian Hip-Hop star Qusai will launch his new album “Saudi” at the theater.

Okaz, in collaboration with the Arabian Saudi Association for Arts, and Culture in Jeddah, set up the event at its premises to provide a platform to various artists and different arts. It enabled the artists to exhibit their inherent talents in the exhibition, and to give an opportunity to artists, photographers and calligraphers to show their works to the visitors.

In addition, the Okaz Theater showcased a national drama that highlighted Saudi patriotism with courageous tales in the field of battle, followed by another comedy show on stage. Then there was a poetry symposium with elite poets like Deya’a Khojah participating. The curtain was brought down on the evening with a heartwarming musical performance by Tarik Abdullah to round off the evening. The event marked lovely doses of various arts in an enlivening patriotic evening.

The ceremony was conducted by “E-plus events”, one of the companies of Okaz organization. Assistant General Manager of E-plus events Adham Merhabi emphasized: “The main goal of this ceremony is to share the joy of this nation with the people, and to support the creative Saudi talents in poetry, acting and music.”

One of the artists who participated in the event, Ali Jilan, said: “The main reason for my participation today is to share the joy of the National Day with the people, and to provide them with a image of the day by drawing them for free on this special occasion. I thank the Okaz organization for inviting us today, and as Okaz is one of the prestigious press organizations in the Kingdom, it is rightly taking the lead in such national Day activities that bolsters art.”

Calligrapher Thana’a Banjer, another participant, noted: “I am here today for my nation, and to highlight and spread the beauty and unique culture within the Arabian language, like calligraphy, which contains authentic and special kind of art and ways.”

One of the visitors at the ceremony Kholoud Mansour said: “I would like to thank Okaz organization and all the organizers for making this remarkable celebration happen. I admired the poetry symposium with the magnificent poet Deya’a Khojah and I also enjoyed the painting and the calligraphy galleries, which provided insights in the artists’ talents.”

Kholoud added: “On this special occasion I think all of us must give out our best and stand with our nation, and to put our hands together to defend it.”