Riyadh is hosting a series of artistic and knowledge activities at the King Abdulaziz Public Library to celebrate the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy. The library integrates this art into its cultural strategy to link current culture with various elements of Arabic heritage.
According to SPA, the events coincide with World Calligraphy Day on August 13. The library’s activities highlight calligraphy as a visual art appearing on paper, fabric, textiles, fine art canvases, walls, and mosque domes.
The library organized the Global Exhibition of Arabic Calligraphy, featuring a library of over 200 books on calligraphy arts and various paintings by prominent calligraphers. Additionally, 15 workshops were held for advanced practitioners, beginners, and youth, alongside an improvisational competition for children and a store selling calligraphy tools.
The institution holds a collection of more than 7,000 manuscripts showcasing diverse calligraphic styles and sizes, including Andalusian documents and manuscripts. It also possesses a collection of gilded and decorated Quran manuscripts. A dedicated exhibition of the Holy Quran featured selected rare copies from over 350 manuscripts owned by the library, demonstrating various Arabic scripts and Islamic decorative arts. The library has also published a book titled Civilization of Writing regarding the evolution of writing and its types.
What exhibitions and resources did the King Abdulaziz Public Library provide for Arabic calligraphy? The library hosted the Global Exhibition of Arabic Calligraphy, which included a specialized library containing more than 200 books on the arts and aesthetics of calligraphy. The exhibition also featured various paintings created by distinguished calligraphers to showcase the elegance of the Arabic language and its different scripts.
What educational activities were organized for different age groups during the celebration? The library organized 15 workshops tailored for beginners, youth, and advanced practitioners in the field of calligraphy. Additionally, the event included an improvisational competition specifically for children and provided a store where visitors could purchase specialized Arabic calligraphy tools.
What rare manuscripts and documents are held by the King Abdulaziz Public Library? The library possesses over 7,000 manuscripts of various sizes and styles, as well as Andalusian documents and manuscripts. It also holds a collection of more than 350 rare, gilded, and decorated Holy Quran manuscripts from previous centuries that highlight Islamic decorative arts and diverse Arabic scripts.