Sana’a anticipating the ‘Capital of Arab Culture’ title [Archives:2003/695/Culture]

Yasser Mohammed Al-Mayyasi
Less than a month remains before Sana'a official becomes the Capital of Arab Culture. This is an extraordinary event for Sana'a, which always represented the Arab culture, civilization, and ancient heritage.
However, many years of neglect and carelessness tried to obliterate this role and beauty. Not any more thought! Lately, many government officials and ordinary citizens determined to work together in helping Sana'a portray its beauty once again, and look its best.
Government efforts were magnified by efforts of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Vice-President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Minister of Culture, Mr. Khaled Al-Ruwaishan, and officials of the Committee of Declaring Sana'a the Capital of Arab Culture 2004 when a report on proposed cultural activities was reviewed.
Those activities will adhere to a well-planned and organized scheme, and include the construction of a cultural city to house the various artistic and innovative activities such as theaters, cinemas, units of art, heritage, calligraphy, Yemeni construction and garments.
The plans also call for restoring and providing equipment for new halls of the National Museum, restoring and providing equipment for Sana'a Art Museum, and repainting the houses in Old Sana'a.
Construction of open-air theaters in the 70 and Al-Thawrah Parks, paving the entrance of Kawkaban city, restoring the Old Market, preparing for Kawkaban yearly cultural activities, and constructing a theater for children are also in plans.
Convening of forums and delivering lectures are among the planned activities, which include the Sana'a Arab Forum for Sculpture, Sana'a Arab Forum for History and Heritage to which a number of Arab and foreign academicians were invited from various countries.
The Yemeni – German Forum is also scheduled to convene on the same occasion as well as other lectures dealing with Yemeni and Arab art and theater activities.
Other conferences will also convene as the Conference for Law, Democracy, and Human Rights, Conference of Cultural Dialogues, Conference of Arab Architects, 14th Conference of Arab Ministers of Culture all of which have been well planned and organized.
Almost all arts are present in the plan for Sana'a, the Capital of Arab Culture including handicraft, and clothing exhibitions.
The cultural events will not be limited to efforts of Sana'a participants only, but will include contributions from all Governorates of the Republic which add to the beauty of the city, each with their own style, but all stemming from one central point: Sana'a.
Great efforts have been exerted by both civilians and government officials to make these cultural events a success portraying Sana'a, and Yemen in general, with its rich history, civilization, culture, art, architecture, human, Arab and Islamic heritage.
Yemen has a good variety of culture and architecture, and Sana'a is considered one of the oldest cities of the world, a life museum of history, and unique specimen in its architectural art in the world.
Hopes remain that all efforts in presenting Sana'a as the Capital of Arab Culture 2004 succeed.
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