Saudi art exhibit celebrates ‘Year of Camel’

Cairo: Marking the end of the “Year of the Camel” celebrated in 2024 in Saudi Arabia, 65 artists have displayed inspiring perspectives at a recent exhibition in Al Kharj governorate, south east of Riyadh.

Titled “Camels are Our Legacy”, the exhibit was organised by the Saudi Society for Fine Arts.

Works at the event, which wrapped up Monday night, highlighted the role of fine art on various occasions, especially those related to heritage and the man- environment relation, commented the Saudi news agency SPA.

Over its five days, the exhibit “formed an open atelier that brought together artists to practise their hobbies and exchange experiences, while presenting aesthetic and creative scenes to the public “, said the group’s branch in Al Kharj Mohammed Al Kharji.

Camels are a popular animal closely linked to heritage in Saudi Arabia. The animal has long been dubbed as the “ship of the desert”, being the lifeline for desert dwellers.

Saudi Arabia has designated 2024 as the “Year of the Camel”, taking the shape of diverse programmes to boost national efforts to develop the camel sector.

The kingdom annually hosts the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, one of the world’s largest in the field.

The current ninth edition of the festival started on December 1 and runs until January 3 under the theme “Pride of its People”, in Al Sayahid north east of Riyadh.

The pageant has become a major cultural, tourist, entertainment and economic event with its competitions and concomitant activities that attract thousands of fans from the region and around the world.