Latest news with #HayyJameel
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: Sofia's Bistro
Sofia's Bistro is a cozy Italian-inspired eatery with great options for pizza and pasta lovers. On a recent visit to the Hayy Jameel branch with friends, we sampled several dishes, starting with the taco de pollo, a grilled chicken taco with pickled cabbage, fresh salsa, jalapenos and guacamole. There were a variety of salads to choose from including the kale and goat cheese salad, which offered a contrast of creamy goat cheese and crunchy, caramelized pecans. The Thai shrimp salad brought bold flavors but while it seemed promising it did not fully live up to my expectations. We tried the spaghetti bolognese and truffle fettuccine from the pasta section. The latter was rich and indulgent, though bordering on heavy, while the former was hearty, if slightly under-seasoned. The pepperoni pizza was topped with thinly sliced Italian beef pepperoni and buffalo mozzarella. The margherita, a classic done right, stood out for its simplicity and balance of sauce and cheese. The dining space is relaxed and modern, with soft background music. It strikes a middle ground between casual and slightly upscale, making it a good spot for casual lunches. The menu includes gluten-free options for both pasta and pizza, along with drink and dessert offerings. Sofia's Bistro has branches in Hayy Jameel and Al-Hamra. For more details, see Instagram @sofias_bistro.
Leaders
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
'Redrawing the Boundaries' Exhibition Explores Gulf's Modern Art Evolution
Hayy Jameel in Jeddah hosts the 'Redrawing the Boundaries' exhibition to offer a deep look at the evolution of modern art in the Gulf region, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Set to run until October 13, 2025, the exhibition explores 20th-century artistic movements and the artistic scene in the Kingdom. The event also features an in-depth artistic research vision on the emergence of modern art movements in the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. Crucially, the exhibition focuses on the intersection between the artistic practices and the foundational stages of building the state. This dialectical interaction between tradition and modernity has crystalized a unique artistic vocabulary that inspired several stunning artworks. Such artworks have laid the foundations of modernity, played a pivotal role in building cultural institutions, and strengthened the local artistic movement. Furthermore, 'Redrawing the Boundaries' features more than 50 artists who left unforgettable influence on modern artistic currents in the Gulf. It highlights their contributions to the cultural movement and the establishment of sustainable artistic and societal structures across the Arabian Peninsula. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia to Host Fashion, Textile Exhibition in Jeddah Saudi Arabia Joins Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2025 'On the Rail Road'..A festival of artistic and cultural heritage in Riyadh season Short link : Post Views: 28
Arab News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Recess evening at Hayy Jameel celebrates youth, creativity, alternative learning
JEDDAH: Hayy Jameel has hosted Recess: Closing Conversations to mark the conclusion of its flagship after-school initiative for teenagers. The evening offered a platform to revisit the transformative journey of the program's first cohort, and featured thoughtful exchanges with the learning team at Hayy, along with mentors who guided the students through the months-long experience. The session welcomed reflections from mentors including Dr. Effat Fadag, Saudi artist and founder of Naqsh Art Studio; Rizwana Anwer, educator and alternative learning advocate; Sahrish Ali and Nayla Attar, artist-teachers and members of the learning team at Hayy Jameel; and Abdelelah Qutub, exhibition designer and program mentor. Speaking about the inspiration behind Recess, Attar said: 'After all these foundations were laid out, we were really trying to create a comprehensive program, something that teaches teenagers how to navigate skills and topics usually reserved for much later in life. 'We wanted them to get a glimpse of what it means to move from high school into a design-thinking process, and even into the contemporary art world. There's a big gap in how people perceive and interact with art, especially in Saudi, and Recess was about bridging that.' Ali stressed the importance of creating lifelong learning spaces, and said: 'We started by developing a program for kids aged 5 to 13, but we noticed a gap when it came to teens, so we built this program with weekly after-school sessions, combining core theoretical knowledge, practical art studio time, and mentorship from creatives in our network.' Fadag said: 'It's not just about hearing, but listening. Listening helps promote the inner voice. One of the most important things for me was encouraging students to ask questions like 'Why are we doing this?' and to integrate research and critical thinking into their work. Art challenges us to negotiate identity and social engagement, and this is what we tried to bring into the program.' Anwer brought an educator's lens shaped by both international teaching experience and homeschooling, and said: 'I came from a traditional academic background, but as a teacher I saw how many students struggled with that model. 'When I became a parent I knew I didn't want to put my children in the same system. Homeschooling and unschooling helped me realize that learning can be more holistic and individual. That's what we tried to reflect in Recess.' Qutub, who boasts an architecture background, emphasized the importance of spatial thinking and collaborative presentation, and said: 'Students had a tendency to view their work in isolation, so I worked with them to think about how their pieces related to one another and to the space as a whole. 'My role was to get them production-ready, to help them engage with the real-world process of creating and displaying artwork, and to see themselves as part of a collective dialogue.' The showcase at Hayy Jameel featured the works of 10 young artists, with each piece a reflection of their journey through Recess. The multidisciplinary program, which ran from February to May, offered a structured yet flexible curriculum blending theoretical sessions, practical workshops, field trips, and portfolio development. Through art-making, mentorship, and cultural engagement, the students explored themes like identity, nature, technology, and personal narrative, resulting in works that invited reflection and dialogue. Hadeel Felemban, learning assistant at Hayy Jameel, said: 'The program was mainly designed for high-school students who are passionate about pursuing art at a higher level. 'It ran over the course of several months, with weekly Saturday sessions that combined theory, practical work, and mentorship from artists and educators. The students learned about the creative process behind artworks and exhibitions, built their own portfolios, and engaged with different departments at Hayy, including the exhibition, cinema, and public programs teams. They also had weekly interventions with guest artists and visited cultural sites like the Islamic Biennale and Al-Balad.' As the mentors gathered with students one last time for Closing Conversations, the atmosphere was charged with pride, curiosity, and a shared sense of accomplishment. Young artist Aleen Alqurashi shared how the program had transformed her perspective on both art and herself, saying: 'I honestly didn't think I had any talent in art; I just joined because I wanted to improve. 'But throughout this program, it really helped me see things differently; not just in art, but in life. I discovered talents I didn't know I had, and I wanted my final project to carry a deeper meaning, something people could relate to.' Nooh Spurlock, 14, also a homeschooled student and the son of mentor Rizwana Anwer, participated in the program with a concept that merged creativity, gaming, and self-exploration. He said: 'My work is about a video game — are you inside your mind when you're fighting against yourself? 'I was inspired by a lot of things: different video games, different elements from that genre. The mentors connected me with game developers who helped me with the research and planning.' His final project, titled 'Into the Mind,' was a video game set inside the player's consciousness, in which one must battle different versions of themselves. The game featured three levels, each representing a specific emotion, with each stage designed to mentally and emotionally prepare the player for the next.
CairoScene
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Azka's Ninth Farmers' Market Brings Fresh Finds to Jeddah This June
Hosted by Jeddah's Hayy Jameel, the shopping event includes a packed programme of interactive talks with producers, kids workshops, and so much more. Hayy Jameel - the Jeddah-based cultural hub known for hosting some of the Kingdom's most artistic events - is bringing back Azka's Farmers Market for its ninth edition, running from June 13th to 14th. Expect a vibrant spread of organic goods and farm-fresh produce straight from local Saudi farms. But your grocery list isn't the only thing getting taken care of. This community-driven event runs from 5 PM to 11 PM and promises a packed program filled with interactive talks with producers, fun kids' workshops, and engaging activities - all wrapped up in a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Entry is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Secure your spot by heading to Azka Farms' official Instagram page and clicking the link in their bio!
Broadcast Pro
22-04-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Palestinian film ‘Thank You for Banking With Us!' screens across Egypt, KSA and UAE
The film has received significant support, including grants from the El Gouna Film Festival and recognition from the CineGouna Platform. Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas's debut feature, Thank You for Banking With Us!, is now running Zawya Cinema – Egypt, Hayy Jameel – Saudi Arabia and Cinema Akil – UAE The drama explores themes of female empowerment through the story of sisters Mariam and Noura, who, after their father's death, devise a plan to secure a large sum of money he left behind. Their scheme aims to outmanoeuvre their brother, who is legally entitled to half of the inheritance. Laila Abbas described the film as a narrative about the strength of womanhood and the importance of emotional and physical unity among women. 'It's a story about sisters who, having endured their own tragedies and heartbreaks, come together to become stronger,' she said. Thank You for Banking With Us! is a joint German-Palestinian production, written, directed and produced by Abbas through her Ramallah-based company Young Oak Productions. Co-produced by Hanna Atallah of Palestine Cinema Days and Roshanak Behesht Nedjad of Berlin's In Good Company Films, the film is being handled for worldwide sales and distribution by MAD World. MAD Solutions and Lagoonie Film Production, the Cairo and Riyadh-based production entity, have also teamed up to co-produce Thank You for Banking With Us! Thank You for Banking With Us! has received support thus far from the El Gouna Film Festival in 2018 through four $10,000 grants from ART, Cedars Productions, O Three Productions and Metafora respectively. Moreover, it won the In-Development Award from the CineGouna Platform and was supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture as well as the Doha Film Institute's 2023 edition of the Qumra Initiative. With additional funding from German film funds (Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, and the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg), and the Hubert Bals Plus Europe of International Film Festival Rotterdam, Thank You for Banking With Us! stands as a testament to the power of collective artistic vision. Notably, it was also among the winners of the Red Sea Fund's third cycle.
