KUWAIT CITY, July 20: The Museum of Modern Art embraced the rich aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy on Saturday evening during a dedicated adult workshop, held as part of the 17th Cultural Summer Festival. The event was organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL).

Renowned calligrapher Hamoud Al-Jafran led the session, introducing participants to the fundamentals of Arabic calligraphy. His presentation covered the art form’s deep-rooted history and highlighted its most prominent styles, including Naskh, Ruq’ah, Thuluth, and Diwani. Attendees received hands-on training, learning to use traditional tools such as the reed pen and ink, and mastering proper techniques for holding and maneuvering the pen to form precise and elegant letters, words, and sentences.

In a statement to KUNA, Al-Jafran explained that the two-day workshop is designed to provide beginners with practical experience in Arabic calligraphy, helping them learn through practice and correction. He emphasized the importance of calligraphy as a key component of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage.

Al-Jafran described Ruq’ah as the easiest script to learn, noting its simplicity and reliance on hand flexibility without intricate detailing. In contrast, he referred to Thuluth as the most complex and artistic form, famously used in the inscriptions on the cover of the Kaaba and often dubbed “the crown of letters.”

The calligrapher, who also studied the art of Ebru (marbling) professionally in Istanbul, has participated in several local art exhibitions in Kuwait.

This workshop is one of many cultural and artistic activities featured in the 17th edition of the Cultural Summer Festival, aimed at enriching the public’s creative engagement throughout the summer season.