The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Australia celebrates World Arabic language day
By ABDULRAHMAN ALQARNI
The Saudi Cultural Attaché in Australia held a celebration to recognise World Arabic language day 2020 .
In attendance were a number of Saudis and Australians interested in the field of languages, translation, culture and literature. The celebration began with verses from the Holy Quran and an opening speech by His Excellency the Cultural Attaché, Dr. Hisham Khadawardi and his guests from the artistic and literary exhibition accompanying the ceremony.
The exhibition consisted of several sections, including: types of Arabic calligraphy, painting, playing music, providing Saudi hospitality, and live Arabic manuscripts for non-Arabic speaking guests.
In the Attaché’s welcome, he expressed his appreciation to all the attendees for accepting the invitation to the event which was part of a series of national events celebrated by the Saudi Cultural Attaché with the Australian community.
It recognised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in developing and spreading the Arabic language through several initiatives and projects, the most significant of which is the King Salman International Complex for the Arabic Language.
The Ministry of Education also plays a role through cultural attachés and Saudi schools as well as by sending Saudi teachers around the world. Educational grants for those interested in studying the Arabic language in some of the most prestigious Saudi universities have also shown results.
After the welcoming speech, Saudi scholarship students presented their speeches on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arabic language, literary anthologies and artificial intelligence. Saudi male and female scholarship students also put on a cultural performance which included national songs as well as drawing “the painting of the two swords and the palm tree”.
Arabic words were also written live in front of the audience, where the paragraph was taken from several artistic and literary works.
The Australian academic community also made an appearance at the event. The Dean of the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Canberra, Dr. Jeline Feller, and the representative of the College of Media and Communication at the University of Canberra, Dr. Scott Bridges expressed their thanks for an invitation to this celebration.
The academics in attendance stressed the importance of the Arabic language in the Australian educational system. Arabic is one of the most popular languages taught in Australian schools and higher education institutes.
At the end of the ceremony, His Excellency the Cultural Attaché honored the guests of the ceremony, the scholarship participants and the scholarship itself, stressing the importance of the Saudi Cultural Attaché in Australia. Through the scholarships students are enabled to use their skills and hobbies for the benefit of the country and society.
