Souk Okaz Forum 2016

The Souk Okaz Forum 2016 is an annual literary and cultural festival. Its first session following its revival was held in 2007, and its tenth session was launched on August 9, 2016, in Al-'Arfa, located northeast of Taif Governorate, on an area estimated at eleven million m². It lasted for eleven days and featured various activities and programs with the participation of poets, writers, and academics from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad. 

Programs of Souk Okaz Forum

In 2016, Souk Okaz Forum renewed its content. In addition to the heritage market, it introduced programs that familiarized visitors with the future outcomes of developments supporting Saudi Vision 2030. It also showcased studies, patents, and research, with the participation of relevant institutions and universities, alongside developmental and improvement projects. In its tenth session, the forum expanded its activities by introducing cultural programs and awards in intellectual and cultural fields. 

Events of Souk Okaz Forum

The Souk Okaz Forum 2016 included a variety of events with the participation of around three thousand individuals from within Saudi Arabia and abroad. It featured approximately two hundred exhibitions involving several public and private entities, along with 160 booths showcasing the work of craftsmen, productive families, farmers, the vocational institute, and various displays. These included the Kiswa Factory of Al-Kaaba exhibition, the Armed Forces exhibition, and the Torathuna Social Responsibility Company exhibition. The forum also presented theatrical performances and cultural evenings featuring around thirty intellectuals and writers, who presented scientific papers and studies on various topics as part of seven seminars held over three days. 

Awards of Souk Okaz Forum competitions

The Souk Okaz Forum 2016 supported winners of the competitions with prizes, aiming to encourage youth and honor artists. These included SAR100,000 for the "Painting and Poem" competition, distributed among three winners; the "Okaz Youth Poet" award worth SAR100,000; SAR100,000 divided among three winners in the photography award; the Arabic calligraphy award worth SAR100,000 for three winners; and the "Okaz Entrepreneur" award valued at SAR200,000. 

The forum also introduced new awards, including: the Novel Award worth SAR100,000; the Innovation Award worth SAR100,000; the Handicrafts Award valued at SAR500,000; and the Folklore Award, divided among three winners, with a total value of SAR100,000. In addition, the Okaz Poet Award was presented, granting the winner the Arab Poetry Medal and a prize of SAR300,000. 

Okaz Future Avenue

As part of the tenth session of Souk Okaz, Okaz Future Avenue was inaugurated over an area of approximately 25,000 m². Its concept is based on future-oriented ideas presented by participants and visitors across various fields, in continuation of the historical role Souk Okaz once played in shaping the future of society—when tribes would gather to communicate and agree on matters that concerned them and influenced their future. 

The avenue was designed to reflect the future in all its aspects, aiming to become a cultural and tourist destination in Saudi Arabia. It plays a role in economic development and provides government entities and companies with space to showcase future plans. It also includes exhibitions dedicated to innovations and inventions across various fields, including medicine, engineering, communications, technology, and architecture, in addition to offering space for future-themed displays such as robots, interactive shows, and the Future Screen. 

The avenue featured the Future Gate, which offers visitors an experience of transitioning into the future through its scientific displays and products. It includes an interactive plaza showcasing future activities, allowing visitors to engage with and explore innovations. It also contains Future Information Centers that guide visitors and provide them with information about the avenue’s exhibitions and events. The avenue also features the Future Exhibitions, which are temporary exhibitions held by various entities. It includes an exhibition introducing the Okaz City project and its components, providing visitors with insights into the development projects in Taif Governorate. 

Okaz Academy for Arabic Poetry

As part of the Souk Okaz Forum 2016, and on the second day of its tenth session, the Okaz Academy for Arabic Poetry was inaugurated on August 10, 2016. The academy focuses on Arabic poetic output, in addition to publishing the collections of poets participating in the Okaz Forum. 

The Okaz Academy for Arabic Poetry began its activities at the end of the forum’s tenth session by printing the poetry collections of the winning poets and distributing them as gifts at the forum venue. Copies were also allocated to literary clubs, university libraries, and public libraries.