SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi sculptor Ali Al-Jasser showcases his wood carving skills at the country's annual al-Janadriyah festival highlighting the kingdom's culture and heritage

Record ID: 189332

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi sculptor Ali Al-Jasser showcases his wood carving skills at the country's annual al-Janadriyah festival highlighting the kingdom's culture and heritage
  • Date: 27th February 2014
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (FEBRUARY 23,2014) (REUTERS ) VARIOUS OF FAMILIES TOURING THE Al JANADRIYAH 29TH CULTURAL FESTIVAL SIGN WITH PICTURES OF SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY PICTURES READING ARABIC 'AL-JANDRIYAH NATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL'
  • Embargoed: 14th March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA8H536AYYY3SNEPVYBTFPSS016
  • Story Text: Hundreds of people have been heading to Saudi's al-Janadriyah Festival to experience the kingdom's culture and heritage first hand.
    The annual event sees thousands of people from around the oil rich state showcasing their area's heritage, through music or culinary delights.
    In the festival site's al-Qassim area well known Saudi wood carver and sculptor, Ali Al-Jasser, shows off his skills.
    Al-Jasser has been carving a career out of wooden sculptures and handmade wooden designs for more than two decades. Those fond of his work say he breathes life into discarded items.
    ''Al-Jasser converts something silent and cultivates a spirit in it, he makes from a neglected trunk a masterpiece that makes the viewer enjoy looking at it,'' said festival goer Yahya Tuaiti.
    As Al-Jasser carves and hammers into the wood onlookers observe him making his new creations, for Al-Jasser he says he wants to shine the spotlight on the work of sculptors.
    ''Of course the ancient Islamic art does still exist, but I think that sculptors have disappeared and now I'm trying to bring that Islamic art back, even by one percent and carry it on my shoulders,'' he said.
    According to the festival organisers, thousands of people visit the site every day with many coming from neighbouring countries or even further afield.
    ''It's amazing, I love it, I have never seen this much work and perfection so far, so I am really, really, really impressed,'' said American visitor Maya, complimenting Al-Jassers work.
    ''This is beauty, magnificence that you see in these works, it is sufficient to look at only, without commenting. This Symphony he is playing it with his fingers, the fingertips of an artist,'' added another visitor praising the Saudi wood worker's craftsmanship.
    Al-Jasser who first started out making wooden objects as a hobby, now sells his creations for hundreds of U.S dollars. He is keen to reuse discarded items of wood, that he finds in his local environment.
    Explaining how he chooses his materials, he said he likes to add value to a discarded piece of wood.
    ''I don't just take any piece and carve it, I choose a piece that I like to carve, an abandoned piece, cheap, worthless. I'm trying to give value through sculpting it and decorating it,'' Al-Jasser told Reuters TV.
    On display at his exhibition were a number of intricate pieces with some woks inspired by Islam and science.
    The cultural event is now into its 29th year, it initially started as a way to promote and showcase Bedouin heritage of camels, tents, coffee pots and swords that seemed in danger of disappearing.
    But in recent years, it has become a cultural attraction for tourists as well as an opportunity to encourage national unity.
    A security source said the number of visitors to the event exceeded 1.3 million last Friday (February 21).
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