Haneef stands in front of her paintings which are on display as part of Saudi Aramco's program for the Jeddah Summer Festival at the Mall of Arabia. - SG photo by Alaa Al-Twaireb By Alaa Al-Twaireb and Noura Al-Mazmomi JEDDAH - Health services and art activities are part of Saudi Aramco's participation in the the 31st Jeddah Summer Festival (Jeddah Ghair) currently underway at the Mall of Arabia. Local artists have set up an art gallery to display their works and are running an art workshop which allows the public to participate. Nahar Marzooq, the general secretary of an organization of Jeddah artists, said, “The exhibit allows the public to visit and to participate by making paintings of their own, because painting is a way of expressing the emotions. It is not a question of creativity or ability as the whole idea of painting is that everyone can express his or her own style.” Saudi artist Noura Al-Haneef told Saudi Gazette that displaying artwork to the public in the summer is good as “people come to Jeddah from all over the Kingdom, and they can see firsthand the skills and talents of Saudi artists”. Al-Haneef is a diver who is keenly interested in undersea photography. “I love to express through my art what I have found under the sea because it is amazing to me to witness the beauty of God's creations everywhere,” she said. Saudi Aramco's summer festival activities are also focusing on public health by providing health awareness information and free medical testing and consultation under the guidance of Dr. Moneerah Balahmar, of the consulting medical society, with the participation of volunteer doctors. There is a section for women and another for men to measure their blood pressure and blood sugar levels with a doctor on hand to talk about weight loss and other general health issues. “During the coming days, doctors will highlight the spread of dengue fever by marking places where mosquitoes are found inside and outside houses so that people can protect themselves,” Balahmar said In order to increase the level of health awareness, medical personnel will discuss the dangers of smoking and answer general health questions. Lessons in first aid will also be provided.
