Saudi Arabia has been in some calligraphy atmosphere and the reason behind is the celebration of the ‘Year of Arabic Calligraphy’ in the kingdom.

The Ministry of Culture launched the Arabic Calligraphy 2020 platform, which will provide individuals, public sectors and non-profit private sectors with the chance to present their insights and proposals that contribute to the Arabic calligraphy during the year 2020.

Which began in 2020, saw a new direction this year as Saudi Airlines in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture celebrated ‘Year of Arabic Calligraphy’ by placing its logo on two Boeing 787 Dreamliner aeroplanes.

 
Covered in hues of different colours, the words ‘Year of Arabic Calligraphy 2021’ has been imprinted on the planes which will depart from the Saudi capital –Riyadh, and Jeddah bound for Heathrow Airport in London and Dubai Airport in the UAE.

While the plane donned the said calligraphy, passengers at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah got themselves engaged in certain activities.

Two calligraphers were seated in the airport’s halls and the passenger boarding area, they wrote the names of passengers in Arabic calligraphy on boarding passes as a keepsake.

The passengers were also entertained by musical performances at the two airports to celebrate the occasion, along with giving out introductory publications and colouring books decorated with Arabic calligraphy in the boarding areas, the executive lounge and Al-Fursan lounge. Not just that, an introductory video and Arabic calligraphy designs were also displayed on the travel information screens on board both planes.

The strategic partner of the ‘Year of Arabic Calligraphy’ initiative—Jahez Co. and Raseel Union Co. also presented 600 souvenirs with the initiative’s logo to the passengers of the two Saudia flights.

The initiative aims to highlight Arabic calligraphy as an art form and spread the culture of its use and develop its practice within establishments and among individuals.