Cairo-With the launch of the Cairo International Festival for Arabic Calligraphy, the Art Gallery at Cairo Opera House has been filled with different types of calligraphic works that reflect the beauty of the Arabic calligraphy.
The festival, which is supposed to discuss cases related to the Arabic calligraphy and the challenges it faces, kicked off amidst a significant attendance and with the participation of 115 artists from 15 Arab and other countries.
In the opening ceremony, Egyptian Minister of Culture Helmy al-Namnam told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Arabic letter is still an inspiration for many artists around the world and that the festival emphasizes this type of art which distinguishes the Arab civilization.
Nivine al-Kilani, the head of the Cultural Development Fund, said that the remarkable participation in the second edition of the festival shows that Egypt has returned to its position concerning the interest in Arabic calligraphy.
She said the festival succeeded in resuming communication with many calligraphy artists in different Arab and Islamic countries.
Artist Mohammad Baghdadi said that the festival focuses on developing the artistic taste among participants and connecting new generations with their history through the public show and the workshops it organizes in this field.
Among 700 works that participated in the festival, a painting for Emirati Artist Fatima Baqali merges both Arabic and Latin calligraphies. Baqali said that she aims at emphasizing the value of the Arabic calligraphy so that the whole world can learn about it and enjoy it.
Baqali expressed her love for the Arabic calligraphy and said that she studied it in Turkey. She noted that she belongs to the Ottoman School of Arabic Calligraphy and considered that Arab women can play an important role in this field of art.
Egyptian Calligrapher Mohammad Abu al-Isaad has also introduced a painting that merges the Arabic calligraphy with other kinds of art, trying to break the constraints of the rules of letters and to write with architectural style and different dimensions.
The artist said that after he participated in many exhibitions, he realized that the Arabic calligraphy works are all alike, so he tried to create a new spirit.