The Riyadh Literary Club is located on Malaz, Sixty Street in the city and hosts a variety of talents of its members including poetry, short stories and issues in psychology and sociology amongst others. Local celebrities Recently, the club celebrated the prominent Saudi intellectual, Gazi Abdurrahman Al-Gosaibi in a lecture entitled “Gazi Al-Gosaibi; the Intellect, Writer and Administer.” It was presented by Khaled Al-Malik and copies of Al-Gosaibi's books “Al-Istithna's (The Exception),” and “Poems We Liked” had been given to the audience. Al-Gosaibi is a politician, novelist and current Minister of Labor. He has worked as an associate professor, dean of the Faculty of Commerce and head of the department of Political Science at King Saud University; Director General of Saudi Railways Organization; held cabinet portfolios in health, and industry and electricity; instrumental in setting up Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC); chairman of Jubail Petrochemical Company (Sadaf) and Yanbu Petrochemical Company (Yanpet); served on Public Investment Fund, Supreme Manpower Council, and Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu; ambassador to Bahrain 1984 to 1992; ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland 1992 to 2002; Minister of Water since 2002, when the Ministry - created in 2001 - became effective, of Water and Electricity when it was renamed in May 2003 and Minister of Labor since April 2004. Al-Gosaibi attended the University of Cairo and received his Law degree in 1961. Al-Gosaibi moved to the United States where he completed his MA in International Relations from the University of Southern California in 1964 and he obtained his PhD in Law from the University of London, 1970. His works include “Love Story (2004),” “A Man who Arrived and Departed (2002),” and “Salma (2002).” Word from AdabiRiyadh Saudi Gazette spoke the female representative of the Riyadh Literary Club, Huda Al-Dughfag, about the level of education in Saudi society today. “The Saudi community is a little slow in the reception of change especially in the current social, industrial, and intellectual conditions,” she remarked. Another important factor she indicated is the lack of reading which is related to the fear of change and a general tendency to rely on a comforting state one is used to. She also opined that there really isn't any gender discrepancy as far as the quality of literature is concerned. “The true standard is good quality of work, regardless of the writer's sex. And quality comes from depicting a good idea, content, style and how one creatively blends and then expresses those factors. Also, the integrity of the work fluidly expresses ideas from the good writer to the appreciating audience,” she added. “The club is a connection between the artist and the audience, therefore it requires involving the latter to play their role in enriching the local culture. Personally I have tried to establish certain programs for Saudi women, but there have been - at times - people who stand in the way.” Saudi Gazette also spoke to the current director of the club, Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, who explained a little about the club's humble beginnings. It was established in 1395 A.H., (1975) stemming from an initiative by Aziz Dhia' to establish literary clubs in Saudi Arabia. The club aims to spread literary and cultural awareness to the whole society. Its events take place according to the divisions of the literary groups. These are: thepoetry and recitation group; the philosophy circle; the speech podium; and the women's committee which actually collaborates directly with its male counterpart and is not isolated. Future events include international cultural events, workshops, cultural weeks, developing the club's website, establishing the club's library, and continuing to publish work. In reply to how he sees the culture of the Saudi society these days in comparison to the past and if has developed or withdrawn, he said: “Such judgment cannot be made lightly. We need accurate measurements and logical studies. However, the cultural and educational development is apparent in the Saudi society. Evidence of that is found in the openness of culture and information.” He added that the club “needs encouragement from the intellectuals though cooperation and constant communication with the club and its events. It also needs financial support from the government so it can fulfill its duties.” Other events The literary club has introduced a variety of events and still does. One of the most outstanding events was a collaboration with William H. Owen, Cultural attaché and Benjamin J. Peracchio, Deputy Cultural Attache at the Embassy of the United States in hosting the singer/actor Charles Williams and global-jazz percussionist/composer Tom Teasley. The duo who has performed together for 12 years now have been known for their critically-acclaimed melding of music and voice. Also, the club has dedicated days for the Japanese culture wherein the Japanese school and its representatives presented their folklore and offered workshops teaching people their beautiful language. Scenario Writing Scenario Writing was the topic of discussion at the club Riyadh on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15. It was presented by Anbar Aldossary, the scenarist of the famous local TV series Tash Ma Tash. Members of the audience, both male and female, got to interact and ask the trainer about how to work with an idea or script, where to go with it and how rewarding the occupation is. The first night was mainly theoretical where as the second was a workshop where Aldossary went over some of the scenarios written by the audience, commented on them and corrected some of the mistakes. He made a special mention of scenario writing by women commenting that it includes “so many details.” - SG Note: AdabiRiyadh (Riyadh Literary Club) sends announcements via text messages to those who register their names and numbers at any visit. __
