UTRECHT
TAIF
FAST FACTS
A Cultural Destination Through the Ages: Taif is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, establishing itself as a center of knowledge and learning for centuries. One of its most notable cultural landmarks is the "Souk Okaz", which originated as the largest trade and cultural fair in the Arabian Peninsula. Dating to 501 AD, it was a venue where Arabs gathered for 20 days to trade goods and recite poetry before esteemed judges. In 2007, Saudi Arabia revived the historic Souk Okaz as an annual cultural festival, celebrating its enduring legacy.
A Name Rich in History: Taif’s origins stretch back over two millennia, with its name tracing to pre-Islamic times. In its ancient glory, Taif was the most affluent and thriving city in the Hijaz. This prosperity made it a coveted prize for invaders. To safeguard the city, a robust defensive wall was constructed around it, known as the "al- Hait al-Mutaaf" or "the surrounding wall," giving rise to the name "Taif.“
Souk Okaz Festival: The Souk Okaz Festival is an annual cultural event that has been held since 2007 on the ruins of the historic Souk Okaz in Taif, a significant landmark in the history of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. It is considered one of the pioneering initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Cultural Heritage Program and one of the largest cultural festivals in the Kingdom. The festival offers around 150 diverse activities, along with various cultural programs, including workshops, evening performances, and competitions. The total prize pool for the festival is approximately 2,500,000 Saudi riyals, including awards such as the Theater Creativity Award, the Arabic Calligraphy Award, the Folk Arts Award, and the Handicrafts and Traditional Industries Award. Additionally, the festival encourages young talents by offering international awards, most notably the "Poet of Okaz" Award, which supports classical Arabic poetry. Other notable awards include those for photography, fine arts, public speaking for youth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and short stories as part of the Okaz International Prize for Arab Narrative.
The Capital of Arabic Poetry in 2022: Taif was selected as the Capital of Arabic Poetry in 2022 and marked this honor by hosting events under the title "Taif: The Capital of Arabic Poetry for the Year 2022." The celebrations included the King Faisal Equestrian Cup, numerous poetry evenings, workshops, and meetings. The city also hosted the second edition of the Writers' Forum, and the Taif Literary Club launched 20 new publications by various authors and poets at the beginning of the festivities.
The Year of Arabic Poetry 2023: In recognition of the vital role poetry plays in Arab culture, the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia declared 2023 as the "Year of Arabic Poetry." Several initiatives were launched to celebrate this theme in Taif, including:
The Academy of Arabic Poetry Events: The Academy of Arabic Poetry is a cultural institution affiliated with Taif University, dedicated to enriching and developing all aspects of Arabic poetry. Established in August 2016, the Academy aims to support the study and dissemination of both historical and contemporary Arabic poetry. It also works on nurturing and refining the talents of poets and critics, enhancing their abilities through training programs. The Academy actively supports poets and critics by organizing conferences, forums, seminars, and lectures on specialized topics related to Arabic poetry. In addition, it issues annual reports on the current state of Arabic poetry and contributes to promoting and scientifically documenting poetic culture.
The Arab Poetry Forum: Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, with the participation of poetry specialists and critics from both inside and outside the Kingdom. The forum aimed to highlight the importance of Arabic poetry through literary references reflecting its deep historical, cultural, and heritage roots. It underscored the lasting legacy and central role of Arabic poetry as one of the most deeply rooted and expressive forms of Arab art.
Gulf Poetry Forum 2024: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), organized the 13th edition of the Gulf Poetry Forum in Taif from July 4-6, 2024. The forum featured five poetry evenings, where 12 poets from across the GCC countries shared their works, celebrating the unity and richness of Gulf poetry.
Layali Asmar: A four-night poetry celebration held in Taif’s cafés, featuring live readings by renowned poets, designed to bring poetry closer to the public in an informal, engaging setting.
Roi Event: A celebration organized by the Arab Poetry Academy at Taif University, supported by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission. The event spanned three days and included a series of programs, panel discussions, and diverse workshops, all focused on enriching the poetry scene.
The Poets' Boulevard Initiative: A unique initiative that transformed a walkway in Taif into an outdoor gallery, adorned with murals of 39 influential poets from the Saudi literary landscape, celebrating their contributions to the world of poetry.
Taif Rose Festival: The Taif Rose Festival is celebrated every December since its inception in 2005. The festival combines literary arts with its celebrations, enriching the cultural experience for visitors to Taif, home to over 860 rose farms. The festival features more than 15 diverse activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and artistic performances, all designed to showcase the beauty and cultural significance of Taif's famous roses.
Taif City Today: hosts an international airport, more than 1,240 schools, 16 museums, 26 libraries, 5 major publishing houses, 11 cooperative publishing houses that work with various organizations to publish literary works and organize events, and 270 recreational areas.
RESIDENCIES
WRITING RETREAT 2024
The Writing Retreats are a cultural initiative launched by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission in 2019, designed to invite writers from around the world to embark on a creative journey in an enriching and inspiring environment. Periodically, special retreats are held in Taif, with the latest being the "Poetry Writers' Retreat" in 2024, providing poets with a unique opportunity to hone their craft in a tranquil, stimulating setting.