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Architecture: Biblioteca Alexandria

The Biblioteca Alexandria: pride of Alexandria
Situated on the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria, is the Biblioteca Alexandria, a local establishment that has become a prominent facility providing state-of-the-art features and services in education, art, history and literature. The Biblioteca Alexandria was created to serve as a fitting tribute to its predecessor, the Library of Alexandria. The current Biblioteca site on the Eastern harbor has been carefully situated within the same area that the original Library once stood. The Biblioteca Alexandria has been likened to a modern-day version of the original Library institute. The Biblioteca aims to provide the same facilities for learning and discovery within the region as the Library of Alexandria once did centuries ago. ..  Read More
 
Destination: Casino du Liban

Casino du Liban: standing tough
Although the thought of gambling in the Middle East is usually associated with the stigma of a forbidden act, a small number of casinos have opened in cities across the MENA region. The overall number of casinos may be limited, however they are a strong symbol of defiance, challenging the local cultural taboos and allowing Middle Easterners across the country to experience a taste of the once-illusive casino glamour.?There are a handful of casinos that operate in Egypt, Turkey, and more importantly Lebanon, which is where one of the oldest and most reputed casinos in the Middle East is located.? ..  Read More
 
Report: Armenians in Damascus

Armenians at a cultural gathering in Damascus

For many people living in the Middle East, the history of the “Armenian Isolation” is a memory that still cannot be forgotten. Over the period, a large number of Armenians relocated to Syria, looking to escape the tragedies of war and start up their new lives. Currently, there are around 110, 000 Armenians living in Syria, the majority of them living in Aleppo and Damascus. There are also a number of Armenians living in other areas of the region, with their numbers totaling to around 20,000. ..  Read More
 
Report: Lamu Cultural Festival

A musical show in progress at the Lamu Cultural Festival

The Lamu Cultural Festival is an annual event held at the town of Lamu near Kenya. It is a three day festival that revolves around music, culture, sport and traditional events. The first event was held in 2001 and it has been growing in events and popularity ever since. The Festival was a concept developed by the Lamu Cultural Promotion Group, an organization that was founded by local businessmen and leaders to help promote Lamu as a cultural destination for tourists...  Read More
 
Architecture: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Universiti Teknologi Petronas: Malaysia's architectural pride

What does the architectural face of Malaysia look like? A leafy equatorial nation in the South China Sea, replete with balmy beaches and tourist resorts? The grinding urban metropolis of Kuala Lumpur? Often, it’s situated somewhere in between. A new breed of structures look to do just this, incorporating the country’s pluralism of identities in the process. One such building is the Universiti Teknologi Petronas, which managed to win a prestigious Aga Khan award last year. In doing this it followed the footsteps of its sister structures the Petronas Towers, which won the last award in 2004. Wholly owned by national oil company Petronas, both sets of buildings serve as examples of the push that local architecture can receive from the economy...  Read More
 
Destination: The New Majestic Hotel

Creativity takes a new meaning at New Majestic Hotel

‘Come fall in splendour’ the New Majestic Hotel seems to be calling out to its customers. Located in the heart of Singapore’s ever-popular Chinatown, this latest boutique hotel is your perfect abode if grandeur with a personal touch is what you are looking for. The hotel establishes its majesty right at the entrance with its two colossal brown pillars. You will be compelled to marvel as you walk along its stately white lobby decorated with beautiful specs of period furniture. While the fusion of traditional and contemporary designs makes for an eye-catching as well as pacifying experience to live amidst it...  Read More
 
Trendy Outlet: Yasser Barakat Gallery

Yasser Barakat Gallery: Guardian of Palestinian Culture

Yasser Barakat is very attached to his hometown, the City of Jerusalem. His daily journey to and from his Gallery in the old city of Jerusalem for more than thirty years now forms a central part of his life. The Gallery is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, next to the only water fountain in the Old City, the Lutheran Church and the Holy Sepulcher. ..  Read More
 
Destination: Saladicious

Saladicious: deliciously yours

Meeting Jose for the first time, you cannot avoid the inevitable conclusion that all chefs should have part of his personality. The Venezuelan chef who now is the heading Saladicous’s kitchen is changing the dining scene in Jumeirah, a growing pedestrian community in Dubai. With Dubai’s unnatural growth, it is rare to find soul and passion in restaurants, which is why we believe that Saladicious in Dubai's Jumeirah is one of those restaurants that build character in modern cities...  Read More
 
Residence: Turkish Delight

The B2 House
The tiny Turkish village of Büykhüsun is an area that is not particularly known within the region. Populated by a small community of around 450 people, the village is built around a mosque, a school and 150 stone houses; Büykhüsun has remained a peaceful and close-knit mountain area whose main source of industry has built around agriculture. Tucked away in this tiny village is a house that has managed to attract the attention of a global audience, but at the same time has not intruded, imposed or intimidated its local surroundings...  Read More
 
Travel: Searching For Socotra

The serene Socotra

The Socotra (or Suqutra for those using the proper Arabian pronunciation) archipelago lies 350 kilometres from the Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago is comprised of four different islands with Socotra being the largest landmass. The remaining islands consist of Abdu I-Kuri, which is populated by some 300 people, followed by Samha and the uninhabited Darsah Island. ..  Read More
 
Innerspace: Finding Shelter In The Sand

A model of Super Abode

As the world continues to see a rising number of conflicts and disasters each year, there is growing concern over the constant exodus of people that have been forced out of their homes. In many unstable areas in Africa and the Middle East, thousands of people find themselves displaced on a regular basis and are forced to flee to overcrowded refugee camps. These are camps that are unable to provide shelter for a large number of people due a lack of resources, amenities and above all, space. ..  Read More
 
Report: It’s a Sufi World

Sufism: on a new journey
A religion, an intricate dance or a way of life; what exactly is Sufi? The world of Sufism is a comprehensive one. It is a belief system, a way of thinking, a way of life. And that is just the beginning. The answer to my initial question is simply that it is all of those things and so much more. In a world of materialistic over-commercialization it is no wonder people are always looking for a new approach to living. In that way Sufism is a refreshing change from our everyday lives as it offers an invaluable spiritual experience in everything we do. Looking at it this way it is easy to see why so many devout followers faithfully practice the Sufi belief system. ..  Read More
 
Lifestyle store: Blouzaat

Blouzaat: a way of expression
Jordan may not be synonymous with fashion and lifestyle but the country’s definition as a tourist centre is on the path of a revolutionary change. That is, ever since it got its first unconventional art store – by the unconventional, for the unconventional. Blouzaat is the invention of four zealous entrepreneurs Ahmad Sabbagh and Mohammad Assaf from Jordan and Michael and Falk from Germany. The idea of a store like this had long been on their minds. It took the four to come together and some time until the store finally launched. ..  Read More
 
Report: The Railway of History

A track on the Hejaz Railway
During the height of the Ottoman Empire in 1900, construction began on a new railway line that would carry passengers from Damascus to the Hejaz city of Medina. This mode of transport was named the Hejaz Railway and was considered to be an important line on the Ottoman transport network, as it would provide pilgrims with a safe and efficient means of travel to and from the Holy City once it was completed. ..  Read More
 
Architecture: Dutch Embassy in Addis Ababa

The Dutch embassy combines the historic elements of Addis Ababa in its ultrasleek modernist appearance
The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, is popularly considered to have been the birthplace of civilisation. Its wealth of archaeological findings include ‘Lucy’, the oldest known complete fossilized human skeleton. As a result, it is equally taken as the epicentre of human migration and has been located as the site of the exit turnstile for all subsequent migrations out of Africa. Although today these exit turnstiles may be easier found at the local airport, the city still retains its rich origins. It is perhaps fitting then, that the Royal Netherlands embassy manages to incorporate elements of Addis Ababa’s past despite its ultrasleek modernist appearance...  Read More
 
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