The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) will celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2024 through a series of special events and activities that extend over four days, from December 18-21, 2024, at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran.
These initiatives aim to enhance the status of the Arabic language and promote it as a key pillar of the Arab World’s cultural identity, according to a press release.
Epistolary Literature
This year, Ithra will observe the World Arabic Language Day, celebrated on December 18, through highlighting the epistolary literature (literature of letter-writing), one of the Arabs’ ancient literary formats.
The epistolary literature flourished during the 3rd and 4th Hijri centuries, when letters were a means of exchanging philosophical, scientific, religious and emotional ideas.
Hence, it contributed to the evolution of the rhetorical and artistic use of the Arabic language. These letters reflected the culture, values, as well as the intellectual, social and political orientations of each era.
Celebrating Arabic Language
Ithra’s celebration features a diverse range of activities, including dialogue sessions with an elite group of writers and intellectuals to highlight the creative side of the Arabic language through the epistolary literature and ways to promote it across various fields.
In the light of this, the events include book launch of “Arabic Proverbs for Millennials,” published by Ithra. They also include a dialogue session titled “In the Shadows of Mail: Reflections on Writers’ Letters.”
During the session, the Saudi writer, Hmoud Alsahoud, and writer and translator, Mohammed Aldhba, will discuss the impact of letters on the lives of writers and how the Arabic language has captured profound emotions and authentic human connections.
Interactive Workshops
In the World Arabic Language Day celebrations, Ithra will organize various activities to prompt visitors to explore this rich literary format and how the Arabic language evolved throughout the centuries.
Moreover, it will host interactive and competitive shows inspired by the beauty of the Arabic language. These include workshops on creating stamps, so visitors can fill postcards with their ideas and feelings.
At Ithra Library, the Risalah (Letter) event will tell visitors a select group of stories, delving deep into the hidden messages of writers. Furthermore, visitors will embark on a journey through thoughtfully designed stations that mirror the path from ideas to words to paper.
Promoting Arabic Language
These events align with Ithra’s commitment to restoring the leading role of the Arabic language worldwide. It is not just a means of communication, but also a reflection of the nation’s culture and memory.
The Arabic language lies at the core of Ithra’s cultural programs. By marking the World Arabic Language Day, Ithra aims to convey a message of pride and appreciation for the Arabic language, highlighting its significance as a bridge connecting the past, present and future.
